Matching sustainable opportunities with appropriate circular business model types: A decision framework

Purpose and goal

A major practical difficulty is to properly "match" sustainable business opportunities with the appropriate type of circular business model. A company is then faced with the challenge of trying to create maximum business and societal benefits through a mix of circular activities (e.g., regenerate, share, optimise, loop, recycle, upgrade or replace old technology with new). The purpose of the project is to develop a framework and decision support that enables better "matching" between sustainable business opportunities on the one hand and circular business models on the other.

Expected effects and result

By creating a framework for better "matching" of sustainable business opportunities and suitable business models, the project enables a behavioral change in the direction of circular economy. The framework contributes to sustainable change and improved competitiveness in participating companies. Other results include a better understanding of barriers to circular economy, that more sustainable business models are used in practice, and that knowledge about circular business models is increasing in Swedish industry.

Planned approach and implementation

ABB and LKAB Minerals are involved in the project. Both companies have ongoing projects in circular business models, and the project will study and improve these projects as they unfold. The project is methodologically based on interviews, workshops and seminars and not least joint work and problem solving between participating project partners to develop, improve and validate a framework for "matching" sustainable business opportunities with appropriate business models. In addition, a reference group for further dissemination of knowledge is linked to Swedish industry.