The U.N. projects the world population to reach nearly 10 billion people by 2050, which will cause demand for manufactured goods to reach unforeseen levels. In order for us to produce the goods to support an equitable future, the methods in which we manufacture those goods must radically change. The emerging Circular Economy (CE) concept for production systems has promised to drastically increase economic/business value by significantly reducing the world’s resource consumption and negative environmental impacts. However, CE is inherently limited because of its emphasis on recycling and reuse of materials. CE does not address the holistic changes needed across all of the fundamental elements of manufacturing: products, processes, and systems. Therefore, a paradigm shift is required for moving from sustainment to sustainability to “produce more with less” through smart, innovative and transformative convergent manufacturing approaches rooted in redesigning next generation manufacturing infrastructure. This PhD research proposes the Helical Economy (HE) concept as a novel extension to CE. The proposed HE concepts shift the CE’s status quo paradigm away from post-use recovery for recycling and reuse and towards redesigning manufacturing infrastructure at product, process, and system levels, while leveraging IoT-enabled data infrastructures and an upskilled workforce. This research starts with the conceptual overview and a framework for implementing HE in the discrete product manufacturing domain by establishing the future state vision of the Helical Economy Manufacturing Method (HEMM). The work then analyzes two components of the framework in detail: designing next-generation products and next-generation IoT-enabled data infrastructures. The major research problems that need to be solved in these subcomponents are identified in order to make near-term progress towards the HEMM. The work then proceeds with the development and discussion of initial methods for addressing these challenges. Each method is demonstrated using an illustrative industry example. Collectively, this initial work establishes the foundational body of knowledge for the HE and the HEMM, provides implementation methods at the product and IoT-enabled data infrastructure levels, and it shows a great potential for HE’s ability to create and maximize sustainable value, optimize resource consumption, and ensure continued technological progress with significant economic growth and innovation. This research work then presents an outlook on the future work needed, as well as calls for industry to support the continued refinement and development of the HEMM through relevant prototype development and subsequent applications.

Textilindustrin är en av världens mest förorenade industrier idag. Fast fashion företag uppmuntrar konsumenter till ökade köp genom sina låga priser. Förr handlade människor nya kläder vid behov, till skillnad från idag då många konsumerar efter begär. Att textilindustrin har stor påverkan på miljön är många väl medvetna om, men för att de ska kunna ske en förändring måste både konsumenter och företag vidta de åtgärder som krävs. Syftet med denna studie har varit att undersöka slutfasen i den textila värdekedjan. I denna avhandling kommer fenomenet upcycling att studeras och ifrågasättas som en lösning till textilavfall. Upcycling innebär att förlänga livet på ett förbrukat plagg, vilket är en vidareutveckling på en cirkulär ekonomi. Under denna studie har all kontakt med branschfolk varit inom Sverige och arbetet har huvudsakligen tagit plats i Göteborg och Borås. Frågeställningarna har utforskat för- och nackdelarna med upcycling, dessutom har en utvald målgrupp granskats via enkäter för att se deras inställning till ämnet. Resterande information har hämtats från intervjuer samt tidigare forskning. Studien upptäckte vissa svårigheter med att applicera upcycling på sin affärsmodell. Den största utmaningen som belystes var tidsåtgången, problemet kan leda till höga arbetskostnader och ökat konsumentpris. De fördelarna som upcycling bidrar med är att råmaterial och ohälsosamma arbetsförhållanden går att uteslutna. Dessutom kan konsumenten köpa plagg utan att påverka miljön negativt, detta skapar en cirkulär ekonomi. Denna studie görs ur ett hållbarhetsperspektiv och kommer att granska ett nytt möjligt tillvägagångssätt för avfallshantering, vilket gör att den kommer att avgränsa från recycling samt kläduthyrning. Studien kommer inte göra en ekonomisk fördjupning utan endast ta upp grundläggande ekonomiska aspekter. / The textile industry has become one of the most polluting industries in the world. Low prices and fast fashion increasing globally has developed a habit of consuming for leisure and not for needs. The awareness of the textile industry's environmental impact is well spoken about, but now consumers and companies need to take action to make a change. The purpose of this study has been to research the end stages of the textile loop, can textile waste turn into new fashionable clothes? In this thesis the phenomena upcycling will be explained, the advantages it brings to the positive impact on the climate justice. Upcycling means adding value to a garment in its last phase to avoid turning into waste, the business model is used to close the loop. During the phase of this thesis all contact with professionals has been within Swedish borders and the major part of this work has been based in Gothenburg and Borås. The main focus has been to explore the benefits and the difficulties with upcycling. Society’s knowledge and attitude is towards upcycling has been explored with the help of interviews and surveys as well as previous studies. The study discovers the difficulties with applying upcycling to its business model, the main problem is consumption of time, which can cause high labor costs and increase the stock price. The benefits that follows from upcycling is that raw material and bad working conditions can be excluded, it has the ability to close the loop and create a circular economy. This study is made from a perspective of sustainability, but does delimitate from the profoundness of economics. In addition, the study will examine a new way for the end phase of a textile garment and will delimitate the methods of recycling and rental of clothes.

Detta projektet handlar om att ge Återbruksbyn i Växjö en grafisk identitet och profil. Återbruksbyn är ett arbete startat av Växjö kommun och kooperativet Macken som handlar om att bygga en mötesplats för oss som vill byta, köpa, sälja, skänka och återbruka begagnade saker i stället för att slänga dem. Det är en plats som kommer fokusera på cirkulär ekonomi och introducera detta system som ett alternativ till det vi har i dagsläget. Min roll och syftet med detta projekt har varit att analysera verksamheten och skapa en logotyp med tillhörande grafisk profil där de äkta värderingarna visas och representeras på ett korrekt sätt. Detta är min process. / This project is about creating a graphic identity and profile for Återbruksbyn, Växjö. Återbruksbyn is a project created by Växjö municipality and the cooperative Macken, and it is about building a central space and meeting point for people who want to buy, sell, exchange, give away and reuse old products instead of throwing them away. It is a place that focuses on circular economy and wants to introduce this alternative system to the people of Växjö. My role and purpose with this project has been to analyse Återbruksbyn and its values, and through that, create a graphic identity that reflects these values and goals. This is my process.

Au cours des dernières décennies, de nombreux outils ont été développés pour comprendre et gérer les cycles anthropiques des matériaux, avec différentes approches. Chacune considère les flux de matière dans la société de différentes manières et chacune possède ses bases de données respectives alimentant leurs utilisations. Il ne semble toutefois pas y avoir de bases communes pour la communication entre les activités de conception et les activités de bouclage, ainsi que leurs parties prenantes respectives, ce qui entrave les échanges d'informations nécessaires à une bonne gestion des produits mis au rebut (et de leurs matériaux). Cette thèse apporte ainsi deux contributions originales à la conception circulaire de produits: un outil pour l'intégration de la circularité des matériaux dans la conception de produits et un cadre pour caractériser les réseaux de bouclage de matériaux. L'outil est composé d'un indicateur multicritères de la valeur circulaire des matériaux utilisé dans la méthode de conception pour la circularité des matériaux (Design for Material Circularity method). Le cadre s'appuie sur une analyse documentaire approfondie, enrichie par des entretiens avec des experts de l'industrie, et sert de base à la collecte de données et à la capitalisation des connaissances sur les filières de bouclage. Les filières de recyclage en boucle ouverte de huit matériaux, appartenant aux trois principales catégories de matériaux, sont caractérisées grâce à ce cadre (acier, aluminium, cuivre, métaux précieux, métaux de spécialité, terres rares, plastiques et verre). Deux études de cas détaillent le déploiement de ces contributions. La première porte sur le choix optimal du matériau et du scénario de fin de vie pour une bouteille de 1,5 litre. La deuxième vise à identifier les points chauds (hotspots) de circularité des matériaux et les scénarios de fin de vie idéaux pour un bloc-batterie véhiculaire au lithium. / In the last decades, many tools have been developed to understand and manage the anthropogenic cycles of materials, with different approaches. Each handles the material flows in society in different ways and each possesses its respective databases that fuel their uses. Yet there seems to be no common ground of communication between design activities and cycling activities, as well as their respective stakeholders, which hinders the information exchanges required for a proper management of discarded products (and their materials). This thesis provides two original contributions to circular product design: a tool for the integration of material circularity in product design and a framework to characterize material cycling networks. The tool is composed of a multi-criteria indicator for circular material value that is used in the Design for Material Circularity method. The framework is based on an extensive literature review enhanced by industry experts’ interviews and provides a basis for data collection and knowledge capitalization on cycling activities. The open-loop recycling networks of eight materials, from the three main material classes, are characterized using this framework (steel, aluminium, copper, precious metals, specialty metals, rare earth elements, plastics and glass). Two case studies detail the deployment of these contributions. The first focuses on the optimal choice of material and end-of-life scenario for a 1,5-litre bottle container. The second is aimed at identifying material circularity hotspots and ideal end-of-life scenarios for a vehicular lithium-ion battery pack.

This study aims to develop an understanding of how circular economy should be implemented to result in sustainable development and to analyze the potential of one particular implementation to result in sustainable development. “The sustainable development way of implementing circular economy” is presented by understanding circular economy with system thinking and considering the factors affecting the implementation of circular economy. Interviews and text-analysis are conducted to analyze the character and potential of ReTuna, a reused items mall in Eskilstuna, to result in sustainable development. Results show circular economy should be implemented as a way of reasoning that can result in a systemic transformation of the economic system to result in eco-centric sustainability. Implementations that do not explicitly derive from a an understanding of circular economy as a new way of reasoning are despite this valuable due to a system’s character of interconnectedness. ReTuna is implemented as a set of practices and an organizational structure but it also demonstrates an honorable effort to change people’s perception of the human-nature relationship. It is concluded that way of implementation has to reflect and be synchronized with the aspiration behind implementing circular economy. ReTuna has potential to result in sustainability but does not yet.

Inspired by the way nature cycles waste in an ecosystem, the circular economy was developed as an alternative to the linear take-make-dispose model and designed to decouple economic growth from resource use. After developing a framework for what it means to be a business pursuing circularity, this thesis examines six different companies to explore the tension between the strategies and business models in theory and what business are implementing in practice today. This exploration continues with an in-depth analysis of the circular success of IKEA, finding that the gains from the circular economy for a large corporation are found within their own operations. With the company’s scale, IKEA is able to act as a transfer hub of technology and best practices, ultimately allowing the company to make a global impact.

This study and design concept explores the need for a change of the behaviour and recycling knowledge in Nybro Municipality, situated in Eastern Sweden.  The main aim of this study is to provide support for discussion and act as an inspiration for the future development of projects with participatory citizenship. Additionally, to invigorate the need for a sustainable and circular waste management to reach sustainable development.  The theoretical framework set up for this study focus on sustainable development, citizens’ behaviour and knowledge of recycling. The explorative research stage of the project is performed through several methods, including interviews with current waste management companies and Nybro Municipality’s Sustainability Department. Furthermore, a survey of the citizens of Nybro municipality, to investigate the behaviour and knowledge about recycling. Correspondingly, relevant secondary research and compulsory review of the context, waste management and circular economy in Sweden, but also the behaviour within recycling of the system users - citizens, is being examined. The project focuses on sorting and analysing the data and findings by using methods of several different visual thinking tools.  The outcome of the project is a proposal of a design concept to facilitate the recycling of waste for the citizens as the users. Moreover, to emphasize the need and importance of recycling our everyday waste materials. This project is not a solution-based project, but more widely to provide a basis for discussion and inspire.  The goal is to find a way that encourages citizens to recycle waste from products purchased in their daily living. A social design workshop, focusing on circular waste management and recycling behaviour, together with the citizens living in Nybro municipality, will be proposed and co-designed with the municipality’s sustainability department of Nybro Municipality.

Background: According to Webster et al. (2013, p. 4) “the idea of the circular economy is capturing the attention of businesses, academics and the next generation of entrepreneurs as a framework for re-designing the economy”. This can be traced back to growing evidence of environmental risks like ozone depletion, climate change, threats to biodiversity and changes in the nitrogen cycle (Geissdoerfer et al., 2017). Although the European economy still relies on a linear economic model, operating on a take-make-dispose basis (Rossé et al., 2016), circular business model have recently experienced a rapid growth and are perceived increasingly attractive by businesses (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017a). Research Question: How do individuals in a multi-national organization make sense of circular economy and their goal of transforming to a circular business? Purpose: Exploring how individuals in an organization make sense of the circular economy concept when pursuing the goal to transform to a circular business by 2030. Method: The research is an exploratory case study with empirical data collected through semi- structured interviews at the case company IKEA Conclusion: By establishing the circularity goal, the organization changes the ambiguity of circular economy to uncertainty for employees that enact it. The individuals are making sense of the circular economy concept triggered by uncertainty due to the missing practical approach defined in the strategy. There is no collective agreement if circular economy is mainly business- driven or sustainability-driven, but they establish collective sense on engaging in many local solutions of circular economy instead of choosing one global approach, representative for the concept of a circular economy. Conclusion: By establishing the circularity goal, the organization changes the ambiguity of circular economy to uncertainty for employees that enact it. The individuals are making sense of the circular economy concept triggered by uncertainty due to the missing practical approach defined in the strategy. There is no collective agreement if circular economy is mainly business- driven or sustainability-driven, but they establish collective sense on engaging in many local solutions of circular economy instead of choosing one global approach, representative for the concept of a circular economy.

Sustainability is a keyword in society today and industries have to contribute to reduce emissions and the use of virgin resources. Every year 90 000 ton old tires are gathered in Sweden. Today mostly used for energy recovery. End-of-life tires has been used in asphalt in the US for almost 50 years and is an effective way to utilize them. There are several possible advantages for rubberized asphalt: noise reduction, higher rutting resistance, increased durability, thinner layers etc. In Sweden, the rubberized asphalt has been tested in 25 different roads, where the Swedish Transport Administration have led the development. Commercially, the product have not yet been successful. There are several different studies for the product in Sweden, but nothing on the business side. The aim in this thesis was to develop a business model for the product on the Swedish market by finding key actors in the value chain, advantages and risks for the rubberized asphalt and studying different market segments. The study has two different research questions, Is there a need for a business model innovation for rubberized asphalt? and How can a business model be created for rubberized asphalt on the Swedish market and what will be the most important factors for establishing the business model? To answer the research questions, qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 different actors in the value chain. The result of the study presents; the value chain for the rubberized asphalt in Sweden, external forces in the industry, a business model and a proposed procurement model. The first question was evaluated and the answer was that business model innovation was needed for rubberized asphalt on the Swedish market, as well as product development and technical statements. The most important factors to penetrate the Swedish market were: spread the information of rubberized asphalt, find segments for market entry, process rubber granulate, handle the product correctly, push for changes in the procurement model and for actors in the value chain to work together. The results can serve as a tool for business model innovation and may be used for other sustainable and recycled products. The report also presents several practical contributions that can be of interest for the asphalt industry.

The government has made a choice to call a halt to climate change and has defined concrete milestones that everyone can use in practical terms, but the practical and knowledge side is still lacking within society. There is still no unambiguous approach for circular economy. Unfortunately, no manual is ready yet to take the steps towards 2050. The best advice to give is to start with awareness: making known to the general public. This step is a first step towards 100% circular economy. The greatest effect of circularity of a product must be realized in the design phase. Aspects such as maintenance, flexibility in use and adaptability, disassembly possibilities and the usability at end of life is determined by the design. The choice of materials what a product consists of is also important here. For this, the researcher sought a solution that supports these two important pillars. Circularity is a complex subject and there is a need to convert this complex language whereby this language becomes more intelligible to the daily users, architects, designers and product developers. Making circularity measurable, on the basis of product information from the supplier, the tool calculates the degree of circularity. The focus of the tool lies in the calculation of the impact of its materials and the amount of waste generated during the entire journey of the product. The results of the tool is named PICI© and can be compared with the certification techniques of today, except this one is circular-proof, while almost all of the certifications has been developed within a linear economy. Today's certificates will have to make room for the circularity certificates of the future. In addition, this study will also provide a direction for a circular methodology that will fully support the transition towards a circular service or product development. This research has the aim to make manufacturers, designers, architects or product developers aware what the impact of their product is, whereby the material-decision-making process will be striving for a fully circular  products and the re-use of the those materials.  This tool can motivate and make this impact of waste more visible. On top of that, this tool has a special focus on urban and architectural lighting, due to the collaboration with Spectrum advice and Design, in the Netherlands. Therefore, a case study is included within this study from Hydro Aluminum who supported this research with real-end data.