Circular Transformation of Industries 2025

Endnotes 1. Traditional, linear value chains are characterized by a straightforward, sequential process where materials and goods move in a direct line from sourcing to production, consumption and disposal. 2. The triple planetary crisis refers to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. 3. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (n.d.). What is a circular economy? https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/ circular-economy-introduction/overview . 4. Includes apparel and textiles, automotives, chemicals, consumer white goods, consumer technology hardware, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), heavy industry, aerospace and defence, machinery, medical technology and packaging. When highlighting market survey results, this paper references “businesses” since most participating top executives work at different businesses with limited overlaps. 5. Earth Overshoot Day. (n.d.). Earth Overshoot Day 2024 falls on August 1st. https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/ newsroom/press-release-2024-english/. 6. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2021). Completing the Picture: How the circular economy tackles climate change. https://emf.thirdlight.com/file/24/cDm30tVcDDexwg2cD1ZEcZjU51g/Completing%20the%20Picture%20-%20How%20 the%20circular%20economy%20tackles%20climate%20change.pdf. 7. Heinrich Böll Stiftung. (n.d.). Understanding the Circular Economy: Principles, Benefits, and Applications. https://il.boell.org/en/2024/03/09/understanding-circular-economy-principles-benefits-and-applications. 8. International Labour Organization. (2019). Skills for a Greener Future: Key Findings (p. 9). https://www.ilo.org/sites/ default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/@ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_709121.pdf . 9. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2020). Financing the circular economy: Capturing the opportunity. 10. Stuchtey, M. R., & Kranendijk, S. (2018). The Role of Business in the Circular Economy (pp. 9-10). Centre for European Policy Studies. https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/rolebusinesscirculareconomytfr.pdf. 11. European Environment Agency. (2023). Accelerating the circular economy in Europe: State and outlook 2024 (p. 18). https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/rolebusinesscirculareconomytfr.pdf. 12. Stuchtey, M. R., & Kranendijk, S. (2018). The Role of Business in the Circular Economy (pp. 1). Centre for European Policy Studies. https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/rolebusinesscirculareconomytfr.pdf. 13. World Economic Forum. (2024). Circular Transformation of Industries: The Role of Partnerships (p. 4). https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Circular_Transformation_of_Industries_2024.pdf. 14. Ibid. 15. Ibid. 16. Reike, D., Vermeulen, W. J., & Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0?—Exploring Controversies in the Conceptualization of the Circular Economy through a Focus on History and Resource Value Retention Options. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 135(August 2018), 246-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. resconrec.2017.08.027. 17. Advanced industries, as used here and in subsequent references, is defined as >50% adoption and above average impact compared to other industries surveyed. 18. Eurostat. (2024, August 5). Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr__custom_13187233/bookmark/ table?lang=en&bookmarkId=fd9710c1-b4e3-4bbe-9f2b-a460ddd45329. 19. IEA. (2021, April 30). End-of-Life recycling rates for selected metals. https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/end- of-life-recycling-rates-for-selected-metals. 20. Significant impact, as used here and in subsequent references, is defined as an impact exceeding 20% above or below the average impact across industries surveyed in the respective impact dimension (GHG emissions, resilience, cost, revenue). 21. EuRIC Aisbl. (2020). Metal Recycling Factsheet (p. 3). https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/ euric_metal_recycling_factsheet.pdf. 22. Ormonde, E., DeGuzman, M., Yoneyama, M., Liu, S., Loechner, U., & Zhu, X. (2022). Plastics Recycling. IHS Markit (S&P Global). 23. European Commission. (2023, March 22). Commission Staff Working Document: Impact Assessment Report accompanying the document Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules promoting the repair of goods and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2349, Directives (EU) 2019/771 and EU (2020/1828. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52023SC0059. 24. European Parliament. (2024, April 23). Right to repair: Making repair easier and more appealing to consumers [Press Release]. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20590/right-to-repair-making-repair- easier-and-more-appealing-to-consumers. Circular Transformation of Industries: Unlocking Economic Value 30