How can the metals producing industry contribute to the transformation to sustainability?

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project was to get a picture of how a sustainable society supports itself with materials; which materials will be needed to cope with society´s transition to sustainability, which materials will need to be replaced, and how can the Swedish metal industry best contribute to securing the future´s sustainable supply of materials. In addition, innovation capacity in selected companies in the metal industry was analysed to better understand the opportunities for companies to contribute to the metal industry contributing to the transition towards sustainability.

Expected long term effects

The AI analysis identified eight areas with high intensity in research and patenting which attract large investments. It also identified six challenges, with the energy transition and access to raw materials being the two largest. The expert panel also identified the regional importance. Analyzes of innovation capabilities were delivered, the implications of which are discussed at company and industry level. The investigated companies received direct feedback and ideas for the future were discussed, which is expected to provide both insight and inspiration to act.

Approach and implementation

AI analyzes were carried out of English-language research reports, articles and patents to get an overview of what is current, and let an expert panel comment and discuss the outcome to get a clear connection to which needs and opportunities are specific to Sweden and a Swedish context . The analyzes of innovativeness were carried out through a qualitative data collection (interviews) in two companies where the data were analyzed with respect to innovativeness from a systems perspective (where ISO 56002 Innovation Management System was included as the basis for the analysis structure).