Suppliers going circular

The circular economy concept is gaining popularity. Especially in the recent years a lot has been written about the benefits and challenges of the topic. Despite the growing interest on both political and market level, the terminology is used diffused and incoherent. This research examines the circular economy concept as posed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The aim of this research is to design financial section of a business model in a circular economy. Extensive literature review, interviews and aspect studies on both the circular economy concept and the construction industry have resulted in a new definition of circular economy with corresponding boundary conditions. With these boundary conditions, conventional business models of building product providers (suppliers) have been critically assessed. By doing this, 13 costs and risks have been identified and incorporated in the design of the financial section of a business model. At last, the business model has been assessed by means of a case study: providing the structure of a steel beam. It can be concluded that the key variable that determines the financial viability is the circular economy axiom of rising resource prices.Design & Construction ManagementReal Estate & HousingArchitecture and The Built Environmen