Let’s collaborate to succeed!

Starting a circular collaboration can be done either on different parts of your processes, or with a holistic view of the entire business model. The project itself can also be conducted on a smaller scale, or in a larger collaboration between large companies, with a mutual desire to find insights and benefits.

We usually recommend that you start with a limited, individual project. This often provides the basics insights of future needs of, for example, competencies and supplies of raw material. In addition, daring to be transparent with your collaboration partner provides other benefits, such as insight into how your processes may be improved and optimized.

Tangible results

Your collaboration could be of the large-scale and complex kind, for example, including the entire value chain of a product. Or you could begin smaller, perhaps by starting to use high-quality recycled raw material. The important thing is that the collaboration gives you tangible results, like a product in demand. And that the project contributes to a better circular business model.

The collaboration between Electrolux and Stena Recycling is a good example of a more in-depth, long-term, and methodical collaboration. It started at the Circular Initiative, a sustainability forum initiated by Stena Recycling and in which many Swedish manufacturing companies participate.

Challenges and goals

Distinct business goals are a strong basis for companies wanting to start a circular collaboration. Electrolux has a long-term target to become circular and climate-neutral by 2030. The company is therefore actively developing the use of circular materials and products. In the project, the goal was to develop a completely recyclable vacuum cleaner, made from 100% recycled materials. Here is the first part of our story of methodical collaboration.