Using product case studies and economy-wide analysis, this report details the potential for significant benefits across the EU. It argues that a subset of the EU manufacturing sector could realise net materials cost savings worth up to $ 630 billion p.a. towards 2025—stimulating economic activity in the areas of product development, remanufacturing and refurbishment.
The evolution of our economy from an increasingly resource-constrained ‘take-make-dispose’ model towards one that is circular and re-generative by intention poses a huge opportunity for business innovation. This report highlights the significant economic opportunities, both immediate and long-term, that are available across the EU. I believe the report offers the catalyst for a sector wide re-design revolution.
Ellen MacArthur
Using product case studies and economy-wide analysis, the report details the potential for significant benefits across the EU. It argues that a subset of the EU manufacturing sector could realise net materials cost savings worth up to $ 630 billion p.a. towards 2025 – stimulating economic activity in the areas of product development, remanufacturing and refurbishment.
These numbers are indicative as they only cover “sweet spot” sectors representing a little less than half of GDP contribution of EU manufacturing. They also assume the addition of only one product cycle with today’s technologies.
The report focuses particularly on the business opportunity. It examines five product case studies, including one example of cascading material usage, in depth. All cases show a chance for value creation by preserving the embedded labor, energy and material costs in finished products. In mobile phones, for example, 50% of material input costs could be saved by the effective use of remanufacturing.
| Ellen MacArthur Foundation Towards the Circular Economy vol.1.pdf Ellen MacArthur Foundation Towards the Circular Economy vol.1.pdf | 3.07 MB | |
| Executive Summary.pdf Executive Summary.pdf | 472 KB |
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