Many companies are currently pushing themselves to become more sustainable, decrease their environmental footprint or become climate positive – in these cases, circularity can be an enabler. We at Stena Circular Consulting can help clients care for resources by providing them with world-leading business advice for a low-carbon circular economy.

Discover more about how we work through this selection of client cases.

CASE 1

Supporting an automotive manufacturer to disrupt by designing more circular vehicles

A. Scope

The project included a mapping of current recycling processes for Battery Electric Vehicles and batteries and a Design for Circularity analysis of one of the client’s vehicle models.

B. Process

The project was divided into two main work streams: Mapping of recycling processes and a Design for circularity analysis.

Material composition of different vehicles

B.1. Mapping of recycling processes

The project team analysed global vehicle and battery recycling processes to determine the recycling potential for electric vehicles in the client's key markets. The analysis considered geographical disparities in recycling systems, processes, and legislation. It also included a projection of future demand and supply of recycled material for battery manufacturing.

B.2. Design for circularity analysis

To understand to what extent the design of the car is aligned with circular economy loops, a Design for Circularity analysis was performed using the Stena Circular Consulting framework for product analysis. The framework considers the circular economy loops* from three key perspectives: product design, system, and business model. The analytical process included a physical disassembly of a car and a high voltage battery, expert interviews, and desk research. The analysis resulted in a circular economy design guideline that will function as a tool for engineers when designing future vehicles.

* Prolong, repair, remanufacture, refurbish and recycle.

C. Insights

The final report equipped the client’s design and strategy team with in-depth knowledge of the current and future state of recycling. It further pinpointed the client's challenges and opportunities to design a more circular vehicle. The results demonstrated that through well-considered decisions already in the design phase, the client can impact the feasibility of circular economy strategies through the entire lifecycle of the vehicle.

CASE 2

Assisting a manufacturer of household appliances with design guidance to fulfill the high sustainability ambitions set for 2030

A. Scope

The project scope concerned the development of a recyclability tool prototype to be used by the client in internal product development processes. The scope also included an analysis of drivers and obstacles to improving recyclability rates.

B. Process

The features of the tool (such as function, desired metrics, and usage) were specified in close discussion with the client. The Stena Circular Consulting project team worked in sprints and developed demo versions of the tool that the client continuously evaluated. By working in an iterative process and adjusting the tool according to the client's needs, the project team delivered a solution that matched the client's expectations on internal applicability and user-friendliness. The client received the full demo version of the tool and documentation summarizing the tool’s functions, limitations, and possible areas to develop further.

C. Insights

The tool enables the client to make rough estimations of existing and future products' recyclability rates already in the design phase. As decisions made during product design will largely determine how a product is treated at end-of-life, data on future recyclability potential is essential to improve recyclability rates. Hopefully, after further development of the prototype and its functionality, the tool can be shared with other companies in the industry.

CASE 3 

Identifying actions to launch the circular transition for a B2B brand of industrial equipment

A. Scope

To provide the client with advice on how to realize their sustainability strategy and which first steps to take on the journey towards circularity.

B. Process

An internal assessment of the client was conducted to understand the current state of knowledge and organizational maturity in relation to a circular economy. The results from the maturity assessment indicated that the organizational prerequisites for creating real change were limited. In relation to this, an introductory lecture on circular economy and a workshop with the client’s management team were held to generate and evaluate relevant actions to boost their transition towards increased circularity. Several ideas on short and mid-term actions were identified and prioritized during the project. The actions were synthesized into several high-impact initiatives, which were further grouped into four enablers of a circular transition.

Key enablers for a circular transition

C. Insights

The project confirmed that a big challenge for businesses that want to implement circular economy strategies lies in the organizational structure. Despite this, the project delivered suggested actions and insights to help the client initiate the circular transition and realize its sustainability strategy.