Circular business model innovation in the UK cement, glass, and ceramics industries
The project involves collaborative research and knowledge exchange workshops with companies and industry associations in the UK cement, glass and ceramics industries.
Duration: March to December 2023
Funder:
Innovate UK and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Transforming Foundation Industries (TFI) Network+ Enablers of Transformation.
Key people:
- Dr Maria Karafyllia (Principal investigator)
- Dr Jinmin Wang
- Dr Andrew Wild
- Dr Ming Li - University of Nottingham Energy Institute
- Dr Gerrardus Lucas - University of Nottingham
- Dr Madhup Pandey - University of Nottingham
- Dr Fangying Wang - University of Nottingham Energy Institute
Research summary
Background:
Through collaborative research and knowledge exchange workshops involving companies and industry associations, the project served to develop a business case for the Foundation Industries in the UK to adopt strategies around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), circularity, and business model innovation to strengthen companies’ competitiveness and reduce the environmental impact they have.
Research findings
The UK Foundation Industries contribute £52 billion to the economy, producing 28 million tonnes of materials annually and accounting for 10% of the country's total CO2 emissions. Due to their intensive use of resources and energy, meeting the UK Government’s legal commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 presents a major challenge.
Additionally, these industries operate on low profit margins, leaving them vulnerable to fluctuations in energy costs and international competition. They lack tailored circular business models that would allow them to create, deliver, and capture customer value in more sustainable ways, support the national net zero target, and enhance global competitiveness. They also under-perform in relation to the EDI agenda.
This project aimed to:
- embed self-sustaining industry practices related to EDI within new circular business models
- establish a knowledge transfer network to drive EDI transformation and facilitate the development and sharing of best practices
- develop a compelling business case for the UK Foundation Industries, integrating key components such as EDI, Net Zero, innovation, future skills, and digitisation
The primary outcome of this knowledge exchange project is a forum for enhancing effectiveness of circular business models for the UK Foundation Industries. The forum works on: (1) generating winning circular ideas; (2) advancing formulation of circular strategies; and (3) improving execution of circular strategies.
Further information
Find out more about the TFI Network+ by visiting their website.
Contact
For more information about this research project please contact Maria Karafyllia.
