Context Of Circular Economy Research Articles

Future Research and Developments on Reuse and Recycling of Steelmaking By-Products

In the steel sector, sustainable management of by-products is a key challenge to preserve natural resources and achieve the zero waste goal. In this paper, the main trends of future research and development on reuse and recycling of by-products of the steel industry are presented in the form of a roadmap, which is the outcome of a dissemination project funded by the European Union based on the analysis of the most relevant and recent European projects concerning reuse and recycling of by-products from the steel production cycle. In particular, the developed roadmap highlights the most important topics of future research activities and challenges related to reuse and recycling of by-products from the existing or alternative steelmaking routes. A time horizon of 10 years has been considered, taking into account the European Commission targets to achieve carbon neutrality in a circular economy context. In addition, current technological trends derived from past and ongoing research projects are analysed. Research needs are based on the main categories of by-products and residual materials. Due to the different pathways to reduce CO2 emissions, each category is divided into subcategories considering both current and novel process routes targeting decarbonization of steel production. This work identifies the most urgent and demanding research directions for the coming years based on a survey targeting the steel companies, services providers of the steel industry and research organizations active in the field.

A dynamic capabilities perspective on implementing the Circular Transition Indicators: A case study of a multi‐national packaging company

AbstractThe use of life cycle‐based assessment has been defined a crucial microfoundation to implement circular business models from a dynamic capabilities perspective. Through a case study of a multi‐national packaging corporation in the plastics sector, the application of an industry‐developed circularity assessment, the Circular Transition Indicators (CTI), is analysed in two manufacturing locations (Italy and China). The aim is to identify how this life cycle‐based assessment can amplify the company's capability to sense, seize and reconfigure its resources. Data were collected from a company placement, interviews, and sustainability reports. The CTI mainly contributed to the sensing microfoundations concerning the company's life cycle‐based perspective and the use of environmental management tools. It also proved to complement existing life cycle‐based approaches because it does not identify sustainability impacts, but only captures material flows. Furthermore, the results showed how the CTI implementation benefitted from existing microfoundations, such as the strategic collaboration with knowledge partners and previously collected sustainability and process efficiency data. Finally, it was also discussed for which microfoundations the CTI results could be most useful: to improve internal resource management processes and to support external circularity pledges. This paper contributes an empirical example to connect dynamic capabilities with life cycle management literature in a circular economy context.

Waste PVC upcycling: Transferring unmanageable Cl species into value-added Cl-containing chemicals

The upcycling of waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a grand challenge because of the unmanageable Cl species. Here, we develop a Cl-transfer strategy to upcycle waste PVC into value-added organic chlorides and PE-like polymer with various Cl acceptors (tetrahydrofuran, dibutyl ether and butanol) over Ru/Al2O3 catalyst. The high utilization efficiency of Cl (> 80 %) can be obtained over Ru/Al2O3 at 180 °C, 2Mpa H2 with tetrahydrofuran as an acceptor within tens of hours. The excellent performance is attributed to key features including Al2O3 for the C-O bond activation and metal Ru for C-Cl bond activation and H2 dissociation. The remaining PE-like polymer after removing Cl could be regarded as PE-like feedstock and further converted into methane through the same Ru/Al2O3 catalyst. The Cl-transfer system also enables the upcycling of several common PVC-contained wastes and works well in the scale-up test. This work offers a catalytic path to integrate waste PVC plastic into the supply chain of organic chlorides under the context of circular economy.

Green technology adoption paving the way toward sustainable performance in circular economy: a case of Pakistani small and medium enterprises

PurposeA rapid increase in traditional industries is creating social and environmental problems through extensive usage of natural resources and polluting the environment. A circular economy provides curative and renewing lines of action about these problems. Therefore, this study aims to examine the factors that lead toward sustainable performance in a circular economy context and empirically test the relationships between green technology adoption (GTA), circular economy principles (CEP), sustainable supply chain practices (SSCM) and sustainable performance (SP).Design/methodology/approachUsing the well-developed governmental databases, data from 435 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the textile sector of Pakistan were collected and tested through AMOS using a structural equation model.FindingsThe results disclosed that GTA, CEP and SSCM have significant and positive direct relationships and facilitate improving SMEs’ SP. Circular economy entrepreneurship (CEE) and customer pressure (CP) were found to have a significant and positive influence on the relationships of GTA and CEP with SSCM.Originality/valueThe role of GTA in circular economy and the moderating effect of CEE and CP is an addition to the literature. SMEs’ GTA allows them to reuse, reduce and recycle natural resources rather than obtain new ones from the ecosystem.

Evaluation of the agri-food supply chain risks: the circular economy context

PurposeCircular supply chains (CSC) are particularly important for the agri-food sector, which faces strict requirements generated by increased food consumption as a consequence of world population growth, changes in lifestyle, development of consumer society and increasing health awareness. Recent disruptive factors have placed the vulnerability of agri-food supply chains in the spotlight. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to identify the most manageable groups of risks in order to ensure the smooth operation of agri-food circular supply chains.Design/methodology/approachSeven main risk groups were evaluated in relation to nine criteria. To solve this multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, a novel MCDM model, which integrates the best-worst method (BWM) and the COmprehensive distance-Based RAnking (COBRA) method in a grey environment, was developed.FindingsThree risks were singled out, namely, product features risks, logistics risks and managerial risks. The obtained risks are those whose management would create the most positive effects for the stakeholders and help them achieve their primary goals regarding the circularity of agri-food supply chains.Originality/valueThis study investigates the main characteristics of the CSC in the agri-food sector, identifies, simultaneously explores and ranks all main risk groups associated with them and expands the possibilities for solving these kinds of problems by developing a novel MCDM model. It also identifies the most significant risks, both for individual stakeholders and for all stakeholder groups together.

The heart and soil of value-based business: emerging circular business network and vernacular accountings

ABSTRACT The way individual actors in organisations are involved in local social orders and handle knowledge to manage everyday tasks may take various forms not sanctioned by formal organisational hierarchy, yet with the potential to affect a company’s managerial work and guide the development of formal practices. This qualitative case study deploys the concept of vernacular accountings (Kilfoyle et al., 2013) to an organisation building a business in a circular economy (CE) context. The case illustrates locally self-generated accountings as an inherent part of an organisation’s management system’s development and as tools individuals apply to manage their occupational tasks to cope with a diversity of beliefs and traditions within CE networks. The case organisation is an intermediary of industrial side streams circulation in the agricultural sector, allowing for examination of the role human–nature relationships and local understandings play in developing organisational processes and accounting practices. Moreover, the study illustrates how vernacular accountings may reveal deficiencies in formal officially sanctioned systems and thus contribute to developing management accounting and control practices. In this view, the way individuals interact, participate in vernacular information economies and produce information to justify their decisions may play a key role in understanding management accounting and control in a nonconventional business environment. The study also emphasises the importance of understanding various orientations towards sustainability and nature embraced by participants in CE business networks, suggesting that vernacular accountings may hold the potential to capture this diversity.

Integrated LCA and DEA approach for circular economy-driven performance evaluation of wind turbine end-of-life treatment options

The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated joint application of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in order to evaluate the efficiency of different end-of-life treatment options for wind turbine decommissioning, considering, technological, economic, and environmental aspects in a circular economy context. Eleven scenarios have been configurated concerning the material waste management of a representative type of wind turbine operating in Greece. Mechanical recycling, landfill disposal and advanced thermal recycling technologies, such as conventional or microwave pyrolysis are addressed. The proposed approach does not only evaluate the efficiency of each one of the different end-of-life treatment processes relative to one another, but it also suggests circular economy-driven policy-making scenarios towards more sustainable waste management in the country. Real-world data calculations indicate that improving the performance of the energy-intensive thermal recycling process could maximize the environmental benefits. Α circular zero-waste approach based on remanufacturing, repurposing or waste prevention through design-for-recycling of wind turbine blades, could also favor long-term sustainability.

Inter-organizational tensions in servitization: A dialectic process model

This study investigates inter-organizational tensions in servitization and develops a dialectic process model to better understand the emergent nature of servitization. Inter-organizational tensions have gained increasing attention in servitization literature recently, but their role in the emergent nature of servitization requires further research. By combining dialectic theory and the ARA framework from the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) tradition, we develop a dialectic process model that identifies inter-organizational tensions as generative forces in servitization. We present a single case study about the implementation of a circular service proposition in the construction industry called “Façade-as-a-Service. Our results reveal multiple tensions in a servitization context and how they emerged as a result of contradictory relationship structures in the existing and envisioned situations. We found that the tensions may be either anticipated as a result from direct clash between the status quo and an envisioned situation or unanticipated because they are indirectly as a result of interdepend ARA dimension. Our findings contribute to the existing literature by (i) extending knowledge on servitization tensions to a circular economy context, (ii) portraying servitization as a dialectic process that requires integration of competing interests, and (iii) opening the black box of inter-organizational tensions by adopting the ARA framework.

Innovative and Investment Activities of Enterprises within Eco-Industrial Parks in the Circular Economy Context

Innovative and Investment Activities of Enterprises within Eco-Industrial Parks in the Circular Economy Context

Bioethanol and biomethane production from watermelon waste: A circular economy strategy

In the present study, bioethanol and biogas were produced from watermelon waste aiming at the integral use of residual biomass in a circular economy context. Watermelon pulp was processed and used as the culture medium for ethanol production with the yeast Wickerhamomyces sp. UFFS-CE-3.1.2 and watermelon rinds were used for biochemical biogas production (BBP) assays. For the ethanol production step from watermelon pulp, the results demonstrate that there was no requirement to supplement the medium with nitrogen sources to achieve satisfactory yields and cell viability. With this, a sequential batch configuration with cell recycling was conducted for thirty cycles, with fermentation yields of around 90% during all recycling, high cell density and viability, and reduced fermentation time from 9 h to 3 h. The results of the biogas production step from watermelon rinds indicate that the biomass performed well, with biogas and methane production of 581 ± 11 mLN·gVS and 290.63 ± 5.63 mLCH4·gVS, respectively, and energetic potential of 15,461.54 kJ·kgbiomass−1. Our data provide a perspective on using watermelon waste for biofuel production to reduce the environmental impacts of this biomass disposal, thus contributing to the circular economy and the advances in the field of renewable energy.

A spatial approach for integrating GIS and fuzzy logic in multicriteria problem solving to support the definition of ideal areas for biorefinery deployment

Energy generation through renewable sources has become necessary to reduce environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. Agricultural residues are the raw material for creating bioproducts in the circular economy context. Thus, there is a need for a biorefinery in use these materials. However, the optimal geographic location of a biorefinery plant is still a worldwide problem, from the material reception and production flow must be considered. Therefore, this study aimed to create a multi-criteria model (13 environmental and economic criteria) integrating the Geographic Information System (GIS) with Fuzzy Logic to identify potential areas for the implementation of a biorefinery within the Administrative Region of Campinas (ARC). The model created was compared with two other models, the middle center and Boolean Logic. The results show that the GIS-FUZZY model presented a better result, when compared with the other models, quantitatively it achieved an increment of 2500 km2 of suitable areas for the implantation of the biorefining industry, and qualitatively classified the areas classified in “bad”, “good” and “great”. The relevant information obtained in the results was also the identification of criteria of greater importance and impact about the choice of location. The tool created made it possible to process a robust database with information about the ARC, these results show that this model an excellent tool for decision supporters and making it possible to use the methodology for other regions.

Performance Assessment of a Closed Loop Repair Process in the Circular Economy Context

It is well known that the dependability of equipment on a production site is strongly linked to the quality of maintenance operations. This paper focuses on repair shops dedicated to the overhaul of defective equipment from several sites, via circular economy strategies. The literature provides analytical and numerical models that allow the performance of a repair shop to be evaluated under certain conditions. However, the majority of studies do not highlight the impact of component degradation after each equipment overhaul. We propose to study the life cycle of components throughout a repair process. Each component begins a cycle with a discrete failure rate that increases with the number of operations undergone. At the end of their life, components undergo an operation that allows them to have a second life. The novelty of this paper lies in the evaluation of the impact of the component life cycle on the performance of a repair shop. We propose a closed-loop model with which we were able to carry out a case study in the railway sector. The results show that considering several levels of component degradation in the repair shop has an impact on maintenance costs.

Advancing Sustainable Manufacturing through Pay-per-Use Servitization Model

In the face of global environmental challenges and their significant impact, manufacturing firms have been recognized as major contributors to environmental degradation and emissions. Additionally, these firms encounter various challenges arising from evolving economies, emerging competitors, shifting consumer preferences, and rapidly advancing digital technologies. To address these challenges and foster innovation, manufacturers are turning to servitization as a strategic approach. Within servitization, the pay-per-use service model emerges as a promising solution. Furthermore, integrating circular economy principles into this model presents an opportunity for sustainable business practices. This paper examines successful examples of companies that have adopted servitization and effectively implemented pay-per-use models while incorporating circular economy principles. Drawing upon these lessons, we propose the “Wheel of Servitization” framework, which enables manufacturers to approach servitization holistically, ensuring that all critical dimensions are addressed to maximize the likelihood of success. By embracing servitization and pay-per-use models within a circular economy context, manufacturing companies can embark on a pathway towards sustainability, addressing environmental concerns and simultaneously meeting the demands of a rapidly changing business landscape.

Integral valorisation of tomato by-products towards bioactive compounds recovery: Human health benefits

The tomato processing industry is one of the world's most important markets. This industry aims to optimise production, minimise energy costs and waste streams while ensuring high-quality products. This sector produces substantial amounts of by-products frequently disposed of as waste rather than reintroducing them with a new intent into the supply chain. However, these by-products are rich in bioactive compounds (BC), including carotenoids, fibre, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties, and cardiovascular protection. Reusing these compounds is favourable to reducing the environmental impact and enables the development of added-value products with various possible uses such as food and feed additives, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, etc. This review summarises relevant issues towards the recovery and valorisation of BC from industrial tomato by-products within a circular economy context.

Unpacking the value conversion in a circular business model: exploring the effect of competitive criteria

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the influence of the implementation of technical cycles on both captured value and shared value in the circular economy context. Moreover, it analyses the moderating effect of competitive criteria on the relationship between technical cycles and captured value. Finally, it examines the relationship between the captured value and the shared value.Design/methodology/approachThis research follows survey-based research with data gathered from 50 countries and 16 sectors, whose final sample represented 233 organisations. In order to validate the structural and measurement model, the authors applied the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique in the strict rigour of the confirmatory algorithm.FindingsThe validated research model demonstrates the value flow through technical cycles. Moreover, it shows the crucial role of the competitive criteria in the value stream through direct, moderate and indirect effects by influencing the relationship between technical cycles and captured and shared values. Finally, the study fills the gap for quantitative studies in the circular economy field.Practical implicationsFrom a practical perspective, this study contributes to structuring circular business models more robustly, by understanding the influence of competitive criteria (cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) on the conversion of operation strategy in the implementation of the technical cycles in the circular economy context. It contributes to decision-makers, in deciding on which competitive criteria to invest more, which brings more consistent results for technical cycle implementation. It also confirms the importance of partnerships, demonstrating how value cascades from the company through the value network.Originality/valueAs far as is known to date, this is the first study investigating the influence of competitive criteria in the circular economy context. Furthermore, it sheds light on the direct and indirect effects of the technical cycles on value captured by organisations and flow shared value with other players.

Antecedents of sustainable consumption of remanufactured products: A circular economy experiment in the Brazilian context

Some key members of our society have established a goal to reduce the consumption of natural resources. However, there is still a growing consumption of goods, which impacted on the necessity to start reusing products, reducing the use of resources, from which the circular economy precepts are key to sustainable development. In this context, this study aims to analyze the relationship between Consumption Behaviour antecedents (Hedonic Dimension; Utilitarian Dimension; Environmental Awareness) with Sustainable Consumption and Purchase Intention. This research introduces an experiment that was used to simulate situations involving both the traditional and circular economies, by evaluating the possibility of buying a new smartphone or a remanufactured smartphone. This quantitative research, of descriptive scope and characterized as an experiment, was made possible through a survey applied to 2543 Brazilian respondents. Data were analyzed by using multivariate data analysis, with the application of factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results indicate that Environmental Awareness has a great influence on Sustainable Consumption, and that both the Utilitarian and Hedonic Dimensions are key influencers on Sustainable Consumption. Finally, the context of circular economy's Utilitarian Dimension and Hedonic Dimension are more important for potential consumers. The value of this study is related to the development of a framework that involves different antecedents of the purchase intention of a remanufactured artifact, which allowed the testing of influencing factors in both situations of circular and traditional economies, making the study unique and original for the advancement of science.

Optimization and validation of a quick and responsive LC-ESI-MS/MS method to evaluate tetracycline residues in processed animal proteins (PAPs).

Following the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001, processed animal proteins (PAPs) reintroduction is envisaged in non-ruminant feed thanks to their high protein content, easy availability and cost-effective characteristics. PAPs must be submitted to rendering practices, providing sterilization of products, under standardized conditions of temperature and pressure, according to Regulation (EC) No 142/2011. However, the chemical risk associated to these raw materials has been never evaluated. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a reliable liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination and quantification of tetracycline residues in PAPs at µg kg-1 level. The LC-MS/MS method performances were evaluated in terms of specificity, linearity (25-500µgkg-1), limit of quantitation (LOQ) (25µgkg-1), accuracy and precision (CV% < 25%), uncertainty, recovery (80-120%) and ruggedness. All the evaluated parameters fulfilled the analytical performance criteria, and the validated LC-MS/MS method fits for purpose as confirmatory method on the occurrence of residues (µg kg-1) of tetracyclines in PAPs. PAPs are a powerful product which could be used both as raw materials in feed and in organic fertilizer production in a circular economy context. Therefore, the lack of regulation and control over antibiotic occurrence should be implemented to avoid a misuse and an increment of antibiotic resistance pressure over the environment and to ensure safety of the feed and food chain.

Digital Platforms for the Circular Economy: Exploring Meta-Organizational Orchestration Mechanisms

Digital platform technology enables circular business models that facilitate the reduction, reuse, and recycling of resources and materials across large ecosystems of platform actors. However, little is currently known about the inner workings of such platforms and how they are organized. Framing these platforms as meta-organizations, this study examines the orchestration mechanisms deployed by platform owners to facilitate economic value creation with a circular business model among a large group of actors. Building on an inductive analysis of 10 European platform organizations, this study identifies five meta-organizational orchestration mechanisms and develops an empirically grounded model that explains how the focal firm orchestrates value creation with a platform-based circular business model. This study advances the existing knowledge on orchestration mechanisms in platform-based meta-organizations in a circular economy context and highlights novel implications for theory and practice.

Moving toward a circular economy in manufacturing organizations: the role of circular stakeholder engagement practices

PurposeThe circular economy (CE) approach has been acknowledged as key for manufacturing organizations wishing to overcome sustainability challenges. However, the transition has been slow. Stakeholder engagement is a driver of the transition, but there is limited knowledge on stakeholder engagement practices in a CE context. The purpose of this paper is thus to explore with whom, on what and how organizations engage with stakeholders to implement CE as part of sustainability efforts.Design/methodology/approachThis study is situated at the intersection of CE, stakeholder theory and supply chain literature. A case study with three Swedish manufacturing organizations was conducted to explore stakeholder engagement practices that facilitate the implementation of CE in organizational practice and the supply chain, considering conceptual differences between stakeholder engagement for sustainability and CE.FindingsThis study provides empirical evidence on how manufacturing organizations engage stakeholders to implement CE as part of organizations' sustainability efforts. The study highlights that manufacturing organizations have to move not only from linear to circular resource flows, but also from linear to circular stakeholder engagement. Such engagement can be achieved by extending with whom, expanding on what and leveling up how stakeholders are engaged.Originality/valueThis study provides an enhanced conceptual understanding of stakeholder engagement in the CE context and discusses differences regarding stakeholder engagement based on linear thinking. The study emphasizes the role of circular stakeholder engagement practices for the transition toward CE in manufacturing organizations.

Digital supply network design: a Circular Economy 4.0 decision-making system for real-world challenges

This research introduces the idea of ‘Circular Economy 4.0’ to reflect the emergence of ‘digitalised’ sustainable supply networks. While often characterised by enhanced productivity and resource/energy efficiency, current perspectives are largely descriptive with limited practical relevance. A hierarchical decision-making framework and a multi-level simulation modelling and optimisation technique are constructed to explore the interplay between Circular Supply Chains and Industry 4.0. The real-world case of blue-green algae as renewable feedstock – to derive value-added omega-3 oils and biofertilisers – is investigated to develop ‘Circular Economy 4.0’ perspectives. The emerging circular supply network utilises micro-factories (i.e., photobioreactors), continuous manufacturing technologies (i.e., piezoelectric transducers), and drone operations for feedstock availability monitoring. This study contributes to theory and practice by building on the limited empirical research exploring determinants of successful transitions in Circular Economy-Industry 4.0 network contexts. Four design principles are proposed that capture the interplay between digital technologies and network design configurations, e.g., centralised – semi-centralised – decentralised. Modelling is developed across macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of analysis. Results demonstrate significant gains in terms of resources utilisation and market dynamics, enabled by the adoption of digital operations in a circular economy context, with initial insights on the evolution of such networks.