Development and practical validation of a life cycle assessment model to determine the potential of the post-use phase of products or operating resources in business models of hybrid value creation
Progressive individualization, networking, globalization and technical innovations are shortening product life cycles. In combination with decades of established linear thinking in the product life cycle (production/use/disposal), this means that many products are disposed of after a "short" period of use.
The potential of the circular economy is currently being insufficiently exploited. Similarly, the ecological potential of hybrid value creation business models is not yet recognized. At the same time, however, there are social and political expectations for companies to implement sustainability in order to conserve resources and limit CO2 emissions. The decision as to whether and which reuse strategy is to be applied is currently made on the basis of complex individual business cases. In order to help companies to identify suitable strategies and business models for post-use phases more efficiently and to increase the effectiveness of sustainable products and services, this project will use Life Cycle and Dynamic Sustainability Assessment, as well as the System Dynamics method and an international research partner, to develop a model and validate it with practice partners, which makes the potential of the post-use phase transparent and thus simplifies decision-making processes.
Go Circular thus promotes both a sustainable and resource-efficient economy in which recycling and the circular economy are implemented, as well as the use of hybrid value creation business models and product service systems in industry.
Funding information:
The GoCircular project is funded by the initial funding of htw saar.
Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen