Abstract
Online marketplaces enable cooperation between potential stakeholders by supporting offer and demand identification at the secondary raw material markets. The use of marketplaces facilitates communication between supply chain actors operating within the same or different industry sectors and enables detection of ways to close the loop of their products. This research investigated which criteria to use for the circular cooperation matching of companies in the context of a marketplace. These criteria were used for the development of a circular economy (CE) matchmaking framework based on a multi-level approach and relevance scoring between the users. The multi-level approach is based on the following criteria: (i) the compliance with circular economy principles, (ii) the material flows analysis, (iii) the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport. Based on those aspects a Total Relevance Score (TRS) between the stakeholders is calculated. The Total Relevance Score indicates the possibility for successful circular cooperation between two partners who are willing to close their loops with the best possible match. The logic behind the proposed circular economy matchmaking framework is illustrated by four cases using data collected from companies. Recommendations for further deployment are proposed. The developed framework, by incorporating circular economy principles for the first time within the matching algorithm, provides the opportunity for interested stakeholders for more tailored matching and increases their possibilities of finding a perfect match on the secondary raw materials market in terms of circularity. A similar approach has not yet been reported in the literature. The circular economy matchmaking framework constitutes a theoretical basis of an online marketplace to be developed.
Highlights
Circular economy (CE) is a popular concept that has gained attention from both public and private sector stakeholders during recent years
A detailed literature review was performed. This resulted in identifying a research gap in relation to the inclusion of circular economy principles within matchmaking algorithms used in secondary raw material marketplaces
This study investigated which criteria to apply for the circular cooperation matching of companies in the context of circular partnerships
Summary
Circular economy (CE) is a popular concept that has gained attention from both public and private sector stakeholders during recent years. The phrase “circular economy” is used as defined by Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), i.e., an “economy that is restorative and regenerative at the same time” [2] and that relies on three main concepts, namely “(i) designing out waste and pollution, (ii) keeping products and materials in use, and (iii) regenerating natural systems” [2]. The Circular Economy Action Plan [3], recently adopted by the European Commission (EC), embodies these principles. The document’s goal is to propel the transition towards the circular economy, as described in the European. Within the Circular Economy Action Plan, the interrelated strategies for fasttracking the transition are presented. The described strategies encourage acting throughout the entire life cycle of products, with special emphasis on sectors where circular transition is most likely to occur and, at the same time, where the actions are much needed due to Sustainability 2021, 13, 5668.
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