Thieme Cheminar #34: “Celebrating the First Anniversary of SCNOW”

Circular business models play a pivotal role in driving the transition to a circular economy but are often accompanied by risks and uncertainties. Experimentation and pilot projects provide a promising approach to mitigating these challenges. To this end, we investigated circular business model pilot projects led by industrial consortia. 

Our qualitative analysis reveals how motivations, challenges, and perceived potential evolve over time. Interestingly, while demand-side challenges diminished, supply-side issues, such as resource availability and logistics, became more prominent. Further, the findings suggest that the timing of interventions is a critical yet often underestimated factor in the success of circular business model pilots. These insights highlight the importance of adaptive strategies and timing in overcoming barriers to scaling circular solutions.

The event is chaired by Prof. Chris Slootweg. It will feature insightful talks from Julian Lauten-Weiss, Prof. Anant Kapdi, Prof. Huizhen Liu, and Prof. Silvia Gross, discussing topics such as circular business models, sustainable synthesis, and green materials.

Speaker line-up:

• J. Lauten-Weiss et al. (2024) Dynamics of Business Models in Circular Economy: Shifting Challenges in Pilot Projects. Sustainability & Circularity NOW
• N. M. P. Bocken et al. (2018) Experimenting with a circular business model: Lessons from eight cases. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
• Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH (DFKI) et al. (2022) Gestaltung kreislauffähiger Geschäftsmodelle - Einblicke aus Wissenschaft und Praxis. I40M

Celebrate the achievements of Sustainability & Circularity NOW and discover innovative solutions shaping a more sustainable future.