R-strategies in circular economy : Textile, battery, and agri-food value chains

Abstract

This report discusses the circular economy model through circular economy strategies, the R-strategies, in three different value chains: textile, battery, and agri-food. The R-strategies can be classified under three approaches: 1) smarter product use and manufacture (R0 Refuse, R1 Rethink, R2 Reduce), 2) life extension strategies (R3 Reuse, R4 Repair, R5 Refurbish, R6 Remanufacture, R7 Re-purpose), and 3) creative material application (R8 Recycle, R9 Recover). Often, the impact on circularity and overall sustainability is likely higher in the beginning of the material value chain. However, the selection of the most optimal R-strategy is always case specific and should be based on a holistic, system wide approach. The report gives several examples of business models applying different R-strategies in the selected value chains. The examples show the similarities and differences between the value chains and which strategies have more importance in which value chains. In the textile value chain, currently the most important aim is to replace fast fashion with longer product use (R3, R4, R5) and essentially reduce production and consumption volumes (R0, R1, R2). Textile fibres can be circulated (R6, R7, R8) to some extent, but in every round, there is some wearing of the material and the quality of the recycled fibre deteriorates in comparison to virgin fibre. In the battery value-chain, increased recycling of metals (R8) is crucial to meet the future need of batteries in various solutions including electric vehicles and energy storage. Thus, recycling technologies need to be further developed to meet the recycling targets. There is also active research and development activities in the field of substitution (R0) with new battery chemistries and even replacing graphite with renewable lignin-based material. In the agri-food value chain, avoiding food loss and food waste (R0) is clearly a low hanging fruit since even one third of all food is estimated of being wasted. When it comes to circularity in the agri-food value chain, it is best supported by increasing local food production, where transport distances are short and do not create a barrier for efficient utilization of side-streams (R8, R9). The circulation of nutrients in manure is also essential.