In CircNexSt's initial phase (WP1), a detailed study reviewed circular economy strategies concerning stock and services. The study revealed fresh insights into sustainability and efficiency across sectors, setting the stage for future applications. It proposed four strategies—material circularity, product material efficiency, service sufficiency, and process resource efficiency—to foster a low carbon economy. A thorough examination of energy and material efficiency in additive manufacturing in aerospace sectors was also conducted. Additionally, it proposed an approach that considers socio-environmental aspects intrinsic to improved performance in metal additive manufacturing and eco-mechatronics.
WP2 of the project undertook a comprehensive resource efficiency and circularity assessment at product, city, and country levels. The key deliverables were resource efficiency assessments, circular economy feasibility, and mobility service provision in different contexts. The Circularity Index (CI), a quantitative tool to assess the performance of a low carbon and circular economy, was introduced and applied to UK car-based passenger mobility. It also analysed the service contribution of resource stocks and flows for UK-registered cars from 1960 to 2015.
WP3 focused on developing models to analyse the dynamics of stock, flow, and service in the transport sector. It examined how innovative technologies in transport could influence greenhouse gas emissions and service levels. It used the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method to analyse influential factors on CO2 emissions from the UK's transport sector from 1960 to 2015. The Structural Decomposition Analysis (SDA) in an exergy input-output model of energy and materials was also applied to understand resource consumption trends in UK transport services.
The CircNexSt project's findings were disseminated through various channels. The results were presented at multiple scientific conferences worldwide, which allowed for meaningful discussions, showcasing the findings, and fostered collaborations for future research. Additionally, the findings were shared during student seminars at several universities. This engagement provided a unique opportunity to inspire younger audiences to consider the implications of the project's findings. Workshops were conducted with industry partners. These collaborations were crucial in facilitating knowledge exchange and problem-solving. The input from these industrial partners helped shape the research directions and validated the proposed circularity strategies. The workshops fostered collaboration and provided a platform for sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, and identifying partnership opportunities. The project also leveraged various communication channels to ensure that the findings reached a broad audience. Results were shared through blog posts on the Resource Efficiency Collective website, offering an informal and accessible way to engage the public.
