Skogsindustrin och cirkularitet : Utmaningar och motivationsfaktorer vid implementering av cirkulär affärsmodeller

Sammanfattning: Swedish forestry has a history of being conceived as a catalyst for economic growth and welfare, nearly representing a cornerstone in society. Multiple Swedish forest industries have taken actions to become more circular throughout the years, pointing mainly at environmental sustainability. However, what is perceived as sustainable or even circular is debated. Naturally, the main actors need to take their stakeholders into account while deciding on their business model and the potential outcomes of their choice. This study aimed to discover and describe the advantages and challenges with the implementation of a circular business model within the forest industry. It also mapped the complex nature of the stakeholders of the forest industries and brought insight to how the business ecosystem may affect the said implementation. Given the literature review of the implementation of circular business models and the business ecosystem, the study was carried out through a qualitative method. Due to the complexity of the research questions, a case study was being conducted and data was collected through in-depth-interviews in two rounds. In the first round three respondents from three companies were interviewed followed by three respondents from the same companies and two who were seen as stakeholders in the second round. In addition, the interviews were completed by a review of secondary data for further perspectives. The results shed a light on the complexity of circular business models within the forest industry. The companies are continuously working on improving their operations and use of materials. Together with stakeholders the companies have joined initiatives and projects where the possibilities to recycle, reuse and remanufacture waste to a greater extent are being investigated. The shift towards a circular business model has been gradual as the interest in circularity has increased. It is in their interest to optimize the material usage and energy-efficiency to minimize costs especially with increasing prices for raw materials and energy. The analysis further brings up how impact from laws and legislations can challenge the companies’ operations. A discussion on whether the business models are circular in the forest industry is also presented and problematized. The business models have circular characteristics but since they heavily rely on, for instance, burning waste for bioenergy it can be discussed whether this method is more circular than using the waste for products. Finally, the implementation of circular business models has many advantages and challenges where the stakeholders play a vital part for a successful business model and mutualistic value creation in the business ecosystem.