Articles on circular transition

How well prepared is your business for a future in which resources are repeatedly reused? The EU's proposed Circular Economy Act aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. In this article, two RISE experts explain what the proposed legislation could mean for your business and which measures might be worth prioritising right now.

IS Plåt wanted to demonstrate that their commitment to sustainability is genuine. The company can now showcase a RISE-verified sustainability declaration, which boosts credibility and business. 'With the framework in place, we can focus on making constant improvements,' says CEO Erik Ralvert.

In collaboration with RISE, Axkid has strengthened its ability to develop circular products and assess future opportunities for remanufacturing through a structured foresight process The result is a more consolidated knowledge base and a clearer direction for long-term decision-making.

Sweden loses SEK 600 billion every year due to today’s linear “take-make-waste” economy, where products are designed for short lifespans and are rarely reused. This amount corresponds to one-fifth of the total value created in Sweden. These findings are presented in the Circularity Gap Report (CGR) – The Value Gap: Sweden, produced by RISE in collaboration with Circle Economy.

How can remanufacturing become a viable business model? A key starting point is to develop clear strategies and roadmaps that map the journey from the current state to circular product life cycles. By working with a roadmap, Autocirc Rematrontech gained fresh perspectives and a tool that simplifies concrete changes while making it easier to prioritize over the long term.

Climate transition requires more than visions – it requires action. Across Sweden, several municipalities and cities are leading the way with concrete measures that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create sustainable communities. The transition needs to happen on a large scale and at a rapid pace. But how should the transition be financed and how should we solve the major challenge of increased consumption?

At RISE, Sofie Gustafsson gets to combine her interest in the environment and technology through research projects that support the transition of industry. As a recent graduate, she appreciates the variety, the clear sustainability perspective and the opportunity to grow in line with the assignments.

Giving used products a new life is not only a sustainable solution—it can also make strong business sense. Join Husqvarna Construction on its journey towards a more circular business model. “We see both environmental and economic benefits in reintroducing products to the market,” says Adam Björk, Sustainability Director at Husqvarna Construction.

Adapting our cities to be better prepared for the future is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks we face. No one knows for sure how the future will unfold. It requires innovation from everyone involved, especially in cities and municipalities. But how should one proceed and where should one start? An innovation partnership with RISE is a good start to succeed in the urban societal transition.

The construction and property sector is in urgent need of a transition to circular business models, not least to meet future sustainability requirements. One of the challenges is to create a working system for the reuse of construction products. Those who find the right solutions have a lot to gain.

Circular products and services that are received with little interest are not doing much for the green transition. New research shows what it takes to create circular offers that customers actually want.

By the end of the century, it is estimated that we will share the Earth's finite resources with 11 billion people. This means that current approaches to sustainability and reduced consumption are not enough. "We need to measure success in new ways. From manufacturing and selling as many products as possible to examining how organisations can give people the best possible conditions to live meaningful lives," says Dennis Pamlin, innovation expert at RISE. 

Would a collection of typewriter manufacturers focused on reducing their own emissions have invented the computer? Are we about to get the equivalent of the world's lowest-emission typewriters, when what we need is something completely different?

Almost everything sold in the EU could soon need a so-called digital product passport. This will place new demands on manufacturers and importers in terms of sustainability data. But the new requirements could also lead to entirely new business models.

Among the materials we need most for the sustainable transition are those that are rare or difficult to extract. And while our need for them increases, so does everyone else’s. The EU’s need for rare earth elements is projected to increase sixfold, by as early as 2030. The need for lithium will double over the same period – to twelvefold. If we cannot obtain the necessary materials – how will the electrification of transport and industry be possible? 

Today, many companies set goals for using recycled materials. But far too few actually do so. So how do we build trust in using recycled materials on a large scale – and how do we get everyone involved to accept the challenges it entails?  “It’s often more expensive,” says Christina Jönsson, a department head at RISE. “Traceability is uncertain. And the quality varies. This is, of course, challenging.”