Circular business innovation for regional furniture loops
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | VIKTORIA SWEDISH ICT AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | May 2014 - January 2015 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-Driven Innovation – Stage 1 initiation |
Important results from the project
The objectives from step 1 have been met by 1: Mapping opportunities for and obstacles to circular furniture flows via interviews with manufacturers, buyers, etc. 2 Developing conceptual customer offerings that served as a basis for a dialogue about opportunities and needs of the project partners and other stakeholders interviewed. 3 Identifying additional actors needed to organize the value chain for circular flows of furniture.
Expected long term effects
Expected results include an expanded applicability of remanufacturing allowing manufacturers to preserve greater value in a broad range of furniture products after production and sale by slowing the loss of functional and aesthetic worth. The project provides good examples of how profitability and sustainability of non-capital goods can be improved throw circular product flows.
Approach and implementation
During step 1 we identified a strong interest in increased reuse of furniture from a range of public and private purchasers for offices and schools. We designed conceptual product and product/service offerings and discussed possibilities for and barriers to their realization with industrial partners. A large number of other actors in the public furniture branch have been interviewed about their needs, constraints and options relating to circular business models.