Circular Transformation of Industries: The Role of PartnershipsW H I T E P A P E RJ A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4In collaboration with Bain & Company and the University of CambridgeContentsImages: Getty Images, Unsplash© 2024 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders.ForewordExecutive summary1 The need for partnerships 2 Three archetypes for circular value creationArchetype 1 Circular feedstockArchetype 2 Lifespan extension Archetype 3 Circular platforms and services3 Circular partnerships to accelerate the transformation3.1 Partnering in Archetype 1: Accessing feedstock, securing uptake and extending geographical reach3.2 Partnering in Archetype 2: Accessing products, repair data and capabilities 3.3 Partnering in Archetype 3: Creating new markets 4 Circular coalitions to drive precompetitive agendasConclusionAppendix: Additional case studiesContributorsEndnotes345778891112131416172526Circular Transformation of Industries: The Role of Partnerships2ForewordIn an era defined by unprecedented global challenges, the imperative for transformative change has never been more pressing. Circularity offers a blueprint to help us navigate these disruptive times, helping businesses to increase their resilience, reach new markets and customers, and grapple with the consequences of climate change, resource tensions and environmental degradation. But it is not a journey that can be taken alone. This white paper explores a fundamental catalyst of circular transformation: partnerships. Solo initiatives limit companies’ ability to extract value from circular strategies. Partnerships are the connective tissue that permits the flow of knowledge, information and circular materials – creating demand for new circular goods and services, ushering in new circular business models and establishing a shared commitment to building a circular future. To extract tangible insights from these concepts, the paper delves into archetypes of circular value creation and explores how they are defined by partnerships aiming to influence control and inflection points.The examples in this paper are not meant to provide set paths for others to follow. Rather, they aim to inspire companies to explore the potential for partnerships to help accelerate their own circular journey, enhancing the resilience, profitabilit...
