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Background/Goals:
For a successful transition to a circular economy, rethinking products to enable cycling them without triggering detrimental side effects for humans and the environment is critical. Recycling of products and components is a widely used loop strategy. However, establishing mechanical closed-loop recycling processes to enable stable material recovery flows without material degradation is still a major challenge. A truly circular economy requires joint efforts from all actors across the value cycle, who need to align their goals and strategies towards the development of circular product- and mechanical cycling process innovations. Such endeavors can lead to the creation of circular ecosystems, in which actors throughout and beyond the value cycle collaborate.
Details
Timeframe
2023 - 2027 (ongoing)
Academic Lead
Project Manager
Within the project EMRI, we investigate a circular ecosystem in which several award-decorated packaging innovations have been developed. We analyze the emergence and evolution of the collaboration dynamics within this circular ecosystem leading to packaging innovations in line with high-value mechanical recycling. Our research results shall explain the impact of these dynamics on the development process of circular product innovations, on the actors’ intellectual property management strategies, as well as on conducting activities to promote the circular economy to policymakers. The project results will provide valuable insights for practitioners regarding their own circular product innovation processes, thereby fostering the shift to a circular future.
Partners:
- Werner & Mertz GmbH
