Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CircNexSt (The steel industry, circularity and the stock-flow-service nexus)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-05-03 bis 2023-05-02
The CircNexSt project, which spanned from 3 May 2021 to 2 May 2023, primarily aimed to bolster the steel industry's adaptation to the Circular Economy (CE) through innovative demand-side strategies. These strategies were informed by the Stock-Flow-Service (SFS) nexus approach, an innovative framework that quantifies the circularity of steel products throughout their lifecycle - from extraction to service provision. This project also employed a range of analytical tools, such as Material Flow Analysis, Dynamic Stock Modelling, Circularity Assessment, and Structural Decomposition Analysis to measure resource consumption and accumulation relative to the services offered by steel.
The project's three main objectives were:
1) Comprehensive analysis of resource interactions: The goal was to demonstrate the crucial role of materials and energy in service provision within an economic system. The project employed the stock-flow-service framework and identified four complementary strategies: material circularity, product material efficiency, service sufficiency, and process resource efficiency. These strategies were quantified to estimate their potential carbon savings.
2) Feasibility assessment of circularity for specific steel product lines: This objective involved developing a novel Circularity Index to assess the effectiveness of Circular Economy initiatives and minimise raw material losses in product lifecycles. The index, applied to a UK car-based mobility case study, highlighted the need for further social and technological innovations to fully attain circularity and address issues of material criticality.
3) Forecasting future steel availability and demand under different Circular Economy scenarios: The project utilised a Structural Decomposition Analysis on a novel exergy input-output model of energy and materials in the transport services value chain. The findings suggested that efficiencies in energy and material use have somewhat offset increases in carbon emissions driven by the rise in automobile use and demand for services. The study also emphasised the significant influence of the Iron & Steel industry on CO2 emission trends in transport services.
The project's three main objectives were:
1) Comprehensive analysis of resource interactions: The goal was to demonstrate the crucial role of materials and energy in service provision within an economic system. The project employed the stock-flow-service framework and identified four complementary strategies: material circularity, product material efficiency, service sufficiency, and process resource efficiency. These strategies were quantified to estimate their potential carbon savings.
2) Feasibility assessment of circularity for specific steel product lines: This objective involved developing a novel Circularity Index to assess the effectiveness of Circular Economy initiatives and minimise raw material losses in product lifecycles. The index, applied to a UK car-based mobility case study, highlighted the need for further social and technological innovations to fully attain circularity and address issues of material criticality.
3) Forecasting future steel availability and demand under different Circular Economy scenarios: The project utilised a Structural Decomposition Analysis on a novel exergy input-output model of energy and materials in the transport services value chain. The findings suggested that efficiencies in energy and material use have somewhat offset increases in carbon emissions driven by the rise in automobile use and demand for services. The study also emphasised the significant influence of the Iron & Steel industry on CO2 emission trends in transport services.
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.
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.
The CircNexSt project has advanced the understanding of the circular economy within the steel sector. WP1's review of current strategies has aimed to clarify the interplay between the stock, flow, and service aspects of resource use in the industry. The project's deliverables, including the conceptual frameworks and strategies, have potential for wide application, shaping industrial practices and policy decisions for sustainable outcomes.
WP2 developed a model for resource management that addresses complex interdependencies in the circular economy. The developed methodologies, indicators, and Circularity Index can assist policymakers, corporations, and researchers in assessing resource efficiency and sustainability. The findings have potential implications for the automotive industry, particularly regarding electric and shared mobility solutions.
WP3's decomposition and modelling tools for predicting driving factor of resource use and carbon emissions of steel products promote a forward-thinking approach to lifecycle management. These tools can guide policy and industry sustainability strategies, particularly in the transport sector.
WP4 effectively disseminated the project's findings, fostering new collaborations and expanding the project's impact. The project has potential for significant socio-economic impact, influencing business practices and creating new economic opportunities. The project's contributions align with global sustainability goals, promoting resource efficiency, reducing waste, and shifting towards service-based business models, thereby contributing to a more sustainable society.
WP2 developed a model for resource management that addresses complex interdependencies in the circular economy. The developed methodologies, indicators, and Circularity Index can assist policymakers, corporations, and researchers in assessing resource efficiency and sustainability. The findings have potential implications for the automotive industry, particularly regarding electric and shared mobility solutions.
WP3's decomposition and modelling tools for predicting driving factor of resource use and carbon emissions of steel products promote a forward-thinking approach to lifecycle management. These tools can guide policy and industry sustainability strategies, particularly in the transport sector.
WP4 effectively disseminated the project's findings, fostering new collaborations and expanding the project's impact. The project has potential for significant socio-economic impact, influencing business practices and creating new economic opportunities. The project's contributions align with global sustainability goals, promoting resource efficiency, reducing waste, and shifting towards service-based business models, thereby contributing to a more sustainable society.