Facilitating circular innovation processes across industries: a case study of blockchain technology

Abstract

This study addresses how digital technologies facilitate circular innovation processes. The empirical setting is an ongoing collaboration project including industrial partners from different parts of the value chain, as well as an industrial cluster, an environmental NGO, and two research organizations. The overall ambition of the project is to solve the sustainability challenges related to the production and consumption of post-consumer plastics (PCP) waste from the Norwegian aquaculture industry and develop new knowledge on how circular economy principles can be applied. By following industrial actors in the project, we explore collaboration mechanisms through a case study of blockchain technology. Preliminary findings indicate two main aspects of how blockchain solutions may facilitate circular innovation processes. First, it provides the infrastructure needed through gaining control of plastics, documentation of material quality, and limiting waste. Second, verified material data builds trust through traceability and transparency and, thus, may enable circular value chains across industries.