Circular economy, varieties of capitalism and technology diffusion: Anaerobic digestion in Sweden and Paraná

Thomas Magnusson,Hanna Zanatta,Madeleine Larsson,Wisdom Kanda,Olof Hjelm

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130300

Thomas Magnusson, Hanna Zanatta + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130300

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Abstract

The transition to a circular economy relies on systems that facilitate waste recovery and recirculation of resources. These systems are based on certain enabling technologies. The aim of this paper is to explain how socio-economic structures influence the diffusion of such technologies. It applies a framework built on societal embedding and varieties of capitalism to compare the diffusion of anaerobic digestion (AD) in Sweden in northern Europe and Paraná in southern Brazil. Both Sweden and Paraná have experienced accelerated diffusion of AD, but there are significant differences in the respective diffusion patterns. The comparative analysis points to a tradeoff between system complexity and speed of diffusion. It illustrates how AD can be presented as a solution to various problems, and it further shows how the specific problems that gain attention shape diffusion patterns. By showing how socio-economic structures influence the appointment of problem owners, their agency, and legitimate forms of institutional support, the analysis demonstrates how economic systems condition technology diffusion.

Highlights

Recovery of waste to enable recirculation of resources is a funda mental building block for circular economies
Arguing that anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key enabling technology for the transition to a circular economy, this paper has presented a comparative case analysis to show how socio-economic structures have influenced the diffusion of this technology in Sweden and Parana
By applying a framework built on societal embedding and varieties of capitalism in a comparative analysis, the paper has contributed to the understanding of contextual influences on technology diffusion

Summary

Introduction

Recovery of waste to enable recirculation of resources is a funda mental building block for circular economies. In the renewable loop, which often is denoted ‘the circular bioeconomy’ (Salvador et al, 2021), anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic matter is a key enabling technology (Pan et al, 2015). The role of AD is multifaceted as it can be used for hygienization and treatment of waste, production of a renewable energy carrier (methane), and production of biofertilizer (digestate) (Borjesson and Berglund, 2007). The choice of anaerobic instead of aerobic treatment will imply both the production of a renewable energy carrier and reduced energy consumption for the treatment process (Meyer and Edwards, 2014). Technology, and parameters such as temperature and treatment time will impact the amount and quality of the biogas and digestate (Sarker et al, 2019)

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