Circular Economy

How Voestalpine set up a new Business Incubator in two Months

Voestalpine wanted a repeatable way to turn steel know-how into new revenue. In a two-month project we trained the incubator team in Business Model Innovation tools and applied them to two live ideas. The process is now the standard path for every major innovation project inside the steel division.

How ZF Brandenburg Plotted Life After Combustion Gearboxes

ZF’s Brandenburg plant makes manual and dual-clutch gearboxes, about 120 000 units a year. As demand shifts to electric drives the work will dry up. In twelve months we ran the Business Transformation Navigator with staff and external experts. Together we shaped three new business models and built full investment cases, giving the site a clear future path and protecting jobs.

How Schaidt Turned Insolvency Into an E-mobility Comeback

When its last audio-electronics contracts vanished, Schaidt Innovations filed for insolvency. Instead of closing the plant, we ran a fast business-model innovation sprint that created a new plan to build electric-vehicle charging stations. The strategy convinced Webasto to acquire the site and keep 170 jobs.

How a Refractory Leader Tripled its Recycling Rate

A global supplier of refractory products wanted to scale battery recycling and make circularity pay. In one year we used the Circular Economy Navigator to pick the right business model, test it with customers and build a roadmap. The work led to a joint venture that tripled the company’s recycling rate and cut waste costs.

How a Nuclear Technology Leader Entered EV Battery Recycling

A French industrial group known for nuclear fuel cycles wanted to use its metallurgy skills in electric-vehicle battery recycling. Over three years we mapped the market, designed business models and set clear decision points. The work led to joint ventures for battery components in northern France and a pilot recycling plant that is now under construction.

Managing the Path Forward: Six Insights on Developing Business Models for the Circular Economy

Don’t be afraid of twists in the path to a circular future. Many companies are here, too. Here's how to manage and predict this transition.

Navigating Sustainability in Business

A conversation with Richard Stechow and Vera Hermes for Haufe Academy

Key Trends in 2022 That can Influence Your Business Model

Nowadays it is increasingly complex to keep pace with new market trends, because changes happen very quickly. But we know that it's really important to recognize these industry changes early on in order to be able to keep up with technology for the benefit of long-term business planning, to stay ahead of the curve and prevent rivals from overtaking you.

How to Fight Climate Change With Innovative Business Models

This should not come as a surprise: Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that humankind faces today with a wide range of negative impacts such as droughts, floods, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and loss of biodiversity. Due to its complexity, there is no easy, quick-fix solution to address it.

The Rise of Second-hand: Exploring the Opportunities of Re-commerce

The fashion resale market is booming. By 2029, it is forecasted to reach a value of $80 billion, doubling the size of fast fashion. As used clothing is taking over our wardrobes, we have decided to explore the phenomenon of resale from a business model perspective – and investigate how it can be applied to other industries.

Designing Circular Business Models: From Ideation to Implementation

In the current environment, we see that more and more companies are looking for ways to innovate their business models in order to create sustainable alternatives to current solutions. Implementing a circular ecosystem that solves an environmental problem while offering an attractive value proposition to customers is the ultimate goal.

Implementing New Circular Business Models with the Circular Navigator Methodology

The focus of many companies is currently on sustainability, however a big gap still exists between the actions taken and the current state of the planet.