CIRcularity metrics in business KPIs - pilot studies (CIRinK 2)
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - ICT Viktoria |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 115 200 |
| Project duration | November 2019 - December 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Circular and biobased economy |
| Call | Increased resource efficiency through circular economy (stage 2) - development and innovation projects |
Important results from the project
The aim of the project was to develop, evaluate and implement tools for assessment of circularity in two pilot studies. We considered potential, in-going and outgoing circularity. In line with these aims we tested two value-based CE indicators in one industrial pilot (Kinnarps AB) and developed and tested The Circularity Assessment Tool in the second pilot (Humlegården Fastigheter AB). The Tool integrates CE data with emission data, allowing for forecasting future impact of office space renovations, and links circularity level with prognosed climate impact.
Expected long term effects
The project showed that CE indicators often rely on assumptions. An indicator combining different aspects of circularity in a single number can obscure these assumptions. A better approach lies in measuring different aspects of CE separately. The best practice is to apply any CE indicators as upstream as possible. Manufactures have unrestricted access to product data this results in more transparent metrics. To aid manufacturers in this task, we developed an improved methodology for Implementing CE indicators into an Environmental Management System to support their routine use.
Approach and implementation
RISE and IVL worked together with industrial partners on development of CE indicators. Kinnarps tested indicators developed by RISE: the material recirculation metric (C) and the market endurance metric (ME). Humlegården Fastigheter tested the Circularity Assessment Tool developed with RISE and IVL. Indicators were tested in two pilots: Office renovation, where all interior fixtures were sourced and installed with circular principles in mind. Product-service offers covering four types of furniture. The ME metric was used to assess the optimal product and business model design