Circular Business Models Identification and Development

In the CIRC-UITS project, Circular Business Models (CBMs) have been developed to facilitate the transition towards circular economy (CE) in the electronics and automotive sectors. A CBM is defined as a model that creates, captures, and delivers value by improving resource efficiency through extending the life of products and closing material loops. The business models developed during the European Project CIRC-UITS promote the innovation applied to automotive and electronics industries, particularly semiconductors, within new value chains. Through the implementation of digital tools such as data-sharing platforms, blockchain for traceability, and digital twins, companies can monitor the lifecycle of materials and improve resource efficiency. An investigation was conducted on companies and European projects engaged in the remanufacturing of electronic components across two main sectors: electric vehicles (EV) and mass electronics. This research was divided into three steps: the first one covered the identification of relevant companies and projects in sectors aligned with the project goals, the second one focused on the collection of the business models information using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) framework based on available public data. Lastly, the study summarized key strategies currently adopted or potentially implementable by these companies to enhance sustainability practices. The proposed circular business models encourage greater collaboration among companies and support the creation of markets for secondary raw materials, while also reducing dependence on virgin resources and non-EU supplies. Additionally, these models integrate lifecycle analysis, environmental impact assessments and product design to guide businesses toward more sustainable practices.