Sammendrag
More stringent environmental regulations are driving companies towards innovation and increased sustainability performance to remain competitive. Therefore, it is essential to maximise the use of resources and recover as much value as possible. Also, there is a need for further scientific research on circular economy and its impact on sustainable development, as well as its applicability in various industries. The thesis aims to evaluate how by-product valorisation can affect sustainability, and to identify the benefits and challenges of such circular economy opportunities, based on insights from a case study on two companies in the ferroalloy industry. The case study investigates viable by-product valorisation opportunities that these companies can implement for existing, unutilised by-product material flows. These opportunities are qualitatively assessed and the most viable one is selected for analysis. This opportunity requires changes in the existing logistics system (material- and information flows) between the subject companies. A new logistics system for the identified flows is suggested, and then the LCA methodology is used to assess the impact of these changes on the environmental and economic sustainability performance. These dimensions, as well as the social dimensions are also discussed from a qualitative perspective. The discussion is based on the theoretical background on logistics, sustainability, and circular economy.