Transitioning to IoT enabled circular production systems and value chains (IoTCirProd)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Chalmers Tekniska Högskola Inst f Tekn ekonomi & organisation |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 185 320 |
| Project duration | April 2021 - January 2025 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme for Production2030 |
| Call | SIP Produktion2030, call 13 |
Important results from the project
The project has been built from university–industry collaboration with three manufacturers, an IT-specialist company and an institute. The point of departure was the manufacturers journeys towards more circular offerings and to understand how IoT could be facilitating this process. Our results show enablers but also various challenges that to some extent hindered the implementation of those offerings and related CE practices at the firms.
Expected long term effects
The study has shown that manufacturers are standing before two important transitions; to digitalize their product offerings and to offer circular sustainable product offerings. Despite the possible synergies, where one could be an enabler for the other, companies address the two transitions independently. Digitalization is most in focus with digital technologies employed to offer more services to customers. Ignoring long-term circular ambitions might lead to missed opportunities.
Approach and implementation
Throughout the project, joint workshops with all involved companies were held which was fruitful for sharing experience and discussing ideas and challenges. Many interviews have been conducted with partner companies. The learnings from the cases were complemented with study visits, interviews, and a survey among other manufacturers in the process of digitalization and circular economy.