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Innovative Circular Economy Models for the European Pulp and Paper Industry: A Reference Framework for a Resource Recovery Scenario

Author

Listed:
  • Amaia Sopelana

    (Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Mikeletegi Pasealekua 2, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Camille Auriault

    (LGI Sustainable Innovation, Headquarters I 6 Cité de l’Ameublement, 75011 Paris, France)

  • Anurag Bansal

    (Acciona Construcción S.A., Dirección de Innovación Tecnológica, 28108 Madrid, Spain)

  • Karmen Fifer

    (Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG), Dimičeva 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Helena Paiva

    (Civil Engineering Department, CICECO, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Christian Maurice

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Gunnar Westin

    (RISE Processum AB, Box 70, SE-891 22 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden)

  • Javier Rios

    (GAIKER Technology Center, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Edificio 202, 48170 Zamudio, Spain)

  • Asier Oleaga

    (Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Mikeletegi Pasealekua 2, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Antonio Cañas

    (Greenize Projects S.L., c/Iruña 9D, 2ºD, 48014 Bilbao, Spain)

Abstract

According to recent literature in the field of sustainability, the circular economy (CE) appears to be a thriving opportunity for creating new businesses, although less attention has been paid to the form in which its principles fit into a comprehensive framework that enables companies to design it in a practical way. This paper presents the methodology that has been adopted to pave the way to a coherent reference framework for circular business model innovation and its outstanding design and implementation, taking into consideration the entire value and supply chain. A unique analysis of recent innovations in circular economy models is provided herein, together with an exhaustive analysis of those elements that enable or hinder their implementation. The main interactions among all those critical elements influencing how organisations innovate and operate cooperatively within a CE ecosystem are also evaluated. In addition, a study of five industrial cases in the pulp and paper industry allowed searching for industrial insights and empirical evidence of the relevance of those elements, including observation, document analysis, and interviews. Lastly, the main outcomes of this research are illustrated using the CE reference framework designed when applied to the aforementioned industrial cases, and relevant insights into future improvements are also provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Amaia Sopelana & Camille Auriault & Anurag Bansal & Karmen Fifer & Helena Paiva & Christian Maurice & Gunnar Westin & Javier Rios & Asier Oleaga & Antonio Cañas, 2021. "Innovative Circular Economy Models for the European Pulp and Paper Industry: A Reference Framework for a Resource Recovery Scenario," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10285-:d:635660
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Julia L. K. Nußholz, 2017. "Circular Business Models: Defining a Concept and Framing an Emerging Research Field," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-16, October.
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    5. Artem Golev & Glen D. Corder & Damien P. Giurco, 2015. "Barriers to Industrial Symbiosis: Insights from the Use of a Maturity Grid," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(1), pages 141-153, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lukas Alexander Benz, 2022. "Critical Success Factors for Circular Business Model Innovation from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Cyrine Mrad & Luís Frölén Ribeiro, 2022. "A Review of Europe’s Circular Economy in the Building Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Rusanen, Katri & Hujala, Teppo & Pykäläinen, Jouni, 2024. "Research approaches to sustainable forest-based value creation: A literature review," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).

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