scholarly journals Water-Energy-Nutrients Synergies in the Agrifood Sector: A Circular Economy Framework

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Efthymios Rodias ◽  
Eirini Aivazidou ◽  
Charisios Achillas ◽  
Dimitrios Aidonis ◽  
Dionysis Bochtis
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Closed Loop Systems

Circular economy is emerging as a regenerative concept that minimizes emissions, relies on renewable energy, and eliminates waste based on the design of closed-loop systems and the reuse of materials and resources. The implementation of circular economy practices in resource-consuming agricultural systems is essential for reducing the environmental ramifications of the currently linear systems. As the renewable segment of circular economy, bioeconomy facilitates the production of renewable biological resources (i.e., biomass) that transform into nutrients, bio-based products, and bioenergy. The use of recycled agro-industrial wastewater in agricultural activities (e.g., irrigation) can further foster the circularity of the bio-based systems. In this context, this paper aims to provide a literature review in the field of circular economy for the agrifood sector to enhance resource efficiency by: (i) minimizing the use of natural resources (e.g., water, energy), (ii) decreasing the use of chemical fertilizers, (iii) utilizing bio-based materials (e.g., agricultural/livestock residues), and (iv) reusing wastewater from agrifood operations. The final objective is to investigate any direct or indirect interactions within the water-energy-nutrients nexus. The derived framework of synergetic circular economy interventions in agriculture can act as a basis for developing circular bio-based business models and creating value-added agrifood products.

scholarly journals How Do Intelligent Goods Shape Closed-Loop Systems?

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risto Rajala ◽  
Esko Hakanen ◽  
Juri Mattila ◽  
Timo Seppälä ◽  
Mika Westerlund
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Industrial Ecology ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Disruptive Technologies ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Industrial Ecosystems

Disruptive technologies can increase the intelligence of goods and revitalize business models in the circular economy. Applying an industrial ecology perspective, this article discusses how intelligent goods can boost the sustainability of industrial ecosystems. North American and European cases highlight how business model innovators can utilize goods-related information to develop more competitive closed-loop systems. The authors identify three archetypes of closed-loop systems—inner circles, decentralized systems, and open systems—and delineate how they leverage information resources for collaboration. This study advances the understanding of closed-loop systems in the circular economy, which is more dependent than ever on digital platforms.

Business models and closed‐loop supply chains: a typology

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Wells ◽  
Margarete Seitz
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Closed Loop Supply Chains

PurposeTo delineate typologies that capture the relationship between closed‐loop supply chains and value‐added business models, and thereby to suggest a research agenda for the transition to sustainable business.Design/methodology/approachDevelops four new theoretical categories or typologies of closed‐loop systems and applies them to the context of the automotive industry. Conceptual, rather than empirical.FindingsThat hybrid closed‐loop systems can be combined with innovative non‐linear value configurations to enable the transition to more sustainable production and consumption.Research limitations/implicationsIdentifies research agenda to explore how novel business models can integrate with various closed‐loop systems. Theoretical, but grounded in research into the automotive industry.Practical implicationsThat closed‐loop systems are best implemented outside traditional linear value added structures.Originality/valuePlaces closed‐loop systems at the heart of the (redesigned) business model rather than as an accessory that must be adapted to the demands of existing approaches. Suggests scholars should be part of this innovative process, not merely observers.

scholarly journals DigiPrime: Digital Platform for Circular Economy in Cross-Sectorial Sustainable Value Networks

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Elena Mossali ◽  
Marco Diani ◽  
Marcello Colledani
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Economic Opportunity ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Sustainable Value ◽  
Value Added Products

Circular Economy is the solution for the current environmental crisis, representing a huge economic opportunity to build new sustainable businesses. However, many barriers need to be faced for its implementation at industrial scale—firstly, the lack of data sharing between the different stakeholders of product value-chains. The DigiPrime project is an EU-funded Innovation Action aimed at developing and demonstrating a digital platform with services able to unlock innovative cross-sectorial business models for the remanufacturing and recycling of target value-added products. In this paper, the concept behind the DigiPrime project is reported, with a particular focus on the construction sector.

scholarly journals The Circular Economy at Enel X

2020 ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Nicola Tagliafierro
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Product Portfolio ◽  
Sustainable Business

Enel X is leading the transition toward a sustainable business model, with the circular economy as an important pillar. Using renewable energy sources and materials, extending product life cycles, creating sharing platforms, reuse and regeneration, rethinking products as services. The principles of the circular economy have become essential, considering the paradigm shift overturning the traditional linear economic model. Enel X was one of the first businesses to offer products on the market that concretely apply the five business models of the circular economy and reconsider the entire value chain from a sustainability perspective. This approach is characterized by two core principles: 1.  the first, addressed internally, focuses on the business’s product portfolio, which ranges from “measuring” circularity to identifying solutions for improvement; 2.  the second is directed toward the outside, and especially toward industrial customers and public administrations or end customers, with the goal of evaluating their level of “circularity” and helping them outline a roadmap to circularity.

scholarly journals Circular Economy Model: Insights from a Case Study in South Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Palmieri ◽  
Alessandro Suardi ◽  
Vincenzo Alfano ◽  
Luigi Pari
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
South Italy ◽  
New Business

This study aims to analyze the economic and environmental sustainability of a case study of an energy power plant that produces electricity from pruning residues of olive groves from nine municipalities in southern Italy. To assess the economic sustainability of the agro-energetic chain, the profitability and efficiency ratios are calculated. Moreover, the GHG emissions of the agro-energetic pruning supply chain due to both the pruning collection at the field level, and their combustion for energy production at the power plant, are calculated. To put together the environmental and economic evaluations, the ecoefficiency ratio was calculated to measure the value added per 1Mg of GHG emitted into the atmosphere. The findings show the whole agro-energetic chain, namely the power plant and the collection company have both a good return on owner’s equity (ROE) ratio (15.89% and 31.48%, respectively) and ROI ratio (4.34% and 6.14% respectively). Moreover, the power plant’s ecoefficiency ratio (2.64€ per 1Mg of GHG) is slightly lower than harvest firm one (2.91€ per 1Mg of GHG). The findings could be useful to develop new business models based on the circular economy concept. In fact, the business model proposed could push entrepreneurs towards new income opportunities, at the same time, helping local farms and reducing the environmental impacts.

scholarly journals Problems of development of the circular economy as a factor in Russia’s sustainable development

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-164
Author(s):  
N. G. Gadzhiev ◽  
N. A. Murzak ◽  
A. E. Mitenkova ◽  
O. V. Skripkina ◽  
S. A. Konovalenko
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Social Components ◽  
Recycled Waste ◽  
Consumption Waste

Aim. To investigate the process of formation of the circular economy in Russia within the framework of ensuring sustainable development and to identify the problems of forming a circular economy and the barriers that hinder the process of implementing business models of a circular economy in enterprises.Materials and Methods. Our study is based on systems analysis, comparative and statistical methods.Discussion. The research results have confirmed the necessity of transition to the formation a circular economy in Russia. This is despite the fact that the volume of recycled waste arising from production and consumption in Russia is growing faster than that of its generation, the actual proportion of recycling and waste disposal is growing rather slowly (somewhat more than 50%), while the proportion of the volume of production and consumption waste placed at company facilities, on average, amounted to 50% for the period analysed. Greenhouse gas emissions also have a negative impact on the environment with those of the "Economy" sector accounting for almost 79% thus determining the relevance of transition to renewable energy.Conclusion. The transition to a circular economy, in particular as a result of the use of renewable energy, will reduce the negative impact of anthropogenic pressure on the environment and ensure a balance between the environmental, economic and social components of sustainable development.

The anatomy of circular economy transition in the fashion industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sita Mishra ◽  
Sheetal Jain ◽  
Gunjan Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Unsustainable fashion consumption and wasteful practices have recently garnered attention in practice and academia; however, research in this field is limited. This study is based upon an extensive review of the literature and aims to fill this gap by providing an in-depth understanding of various drivers and actors operating in the closed-loop fashion value chain. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework of transformation from the linear economy (LE) to the circular economy (CE) for the fashion industry based on “transition theory.” Design/methodology/approach This study is conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, a bibliographic compilation on the given subject is done. In Phase 2, data about the case company is collected through trade media and semi-structured interviews with the founder and the designers. Findings The study found that key drivers for the closed-loop fashion value chain are collaboration with partners, innovation, waste management system, customer connect and changing utilization patterns. Based on the extensive literature review and analysis of the case study, it can be concluded that to incorporate CE principles, namely, reduce, repair, reuse and recycle into current business models, redefining existing value propositions and transforming various business model elements is essential. Practical implications A three-level (discrete level, aggregator level and the peripheral level) framework is developed that can help the fashion industry in transition from LE to CE. This study will help fashion houses to understand how they can work in tandem with various stakeholders to develop sustainable business models. Originality/value This paper contributes to research by advancing the understanding of how to further develop and redesign an innovative business model framework for the circular fashion value chain. A three-level framework is developed that can be used for transition from LE to CE, especially in the fashion industry. This study is one of the first research that has tried to analyze the Indian case company for CE practices in fashion.

scholarly journals Consideration of the circular economy principles in the formation of enterprise business model

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
S. Strapchuk
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
National Level ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Gradual Introduction

The role of conceptual business model of an enterprise and its adaptability to the principles of the circular economy are investigated in this paper. It is determined that the idea of closed-loop economy is not new, but lately it has become popular due to political support of individual countries and international non-governmental organizations. In particular, in Germany, China and Japan the guidelines concerning circular economy are being developed at the national level. The main principles of the circular economy, which include the processes of recovery, sharing, optimization, cyclicality, virtualization and exchange, are investigated. It is clarified that, despite the growing interest of scientists and experts in the concept of circular economy, there are no standardized methods of its quantitative and qualitative measurement with the possibility of application at the enterprise level. Thus, comprehensive research on business models designing is required in order to stimulate and foster the circular economy implementation. The scientific papers on framework approaches to the circular economy resulting in the fresh perspective – the separation of economic growth from environmental wastes are analyzed. The stages of gradual introduction of circular economy paradigm implementation into practical activity, including processes of monitoring, estimation, actions at different levels of implementation are outlined. It is established that in the recent scientific works concerning closed-loop economy the framework for further circular economy implementation is reduced to the processes, materials and strategies, particularly to the consumer role. It is found out that any model can be both linear and circular describing the ability of the company to optimize its processes, virtualize products or delivery channels. The possibilities of applying the principles of circular economy to the Canvas business model by means of attracting additional blocks related to future availability of reverse logistics and the need for systematic approach for matching value proposition and customer segments, cost structure and revenue sources are summarized.

scholarly journals Wdrażanie modelu gospodarczego opartego na obiegu zamkniętym w biogospodarce

2021 ◽  
Vol 21(36) (3) ◽  
pp. 24-40
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz Gralak
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Complex Issue ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Different Dimensions

Implementing circular bioeconomy solutions is a complex issue. It requires a good knowledge of the concepts, the different processes of the circular economy and their expected impacts on sectors and value chains. However, research on the circular economy appears to be fragmented across disciplines and there are often different perspectives on the interpretation of the concept and related aspects to be assessed. This article reviews the literature on bioeconomy and closed-loop economy to better understand the concept, as well as its different dimensions and expected impacts. The aim of the article is to outline the concept of a circular bioeconomy along with a presentation of the main considerations for its implementation. Selected policy initiatives for the implementation of the closed-loop bioeconomy concept in the bioeconomy sector and business models dedicated to bioeconomy solutions are presented.

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