Circular Supply Chain Collaboration in the Built Environment

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to examine in what way supply chain collaboration in the built environment can contribute to the transition to a CE in the Netherlands. The study is structured along three main parts: (1) a theoretic part for conceptualising circular supply chain collaboration, (2) a case study where this conceptualisation is applied to three selected cases and (3) the development of a process tool to enhance circular supply chain collaboration. This study showed that circular supply chain collaboration can contribute to a transition towards a CE by actually implementing solutions in real life projects. A new process design is needed where a variety of disciplines in the supply chain is integrated upfront. The responsibilities of these disciplines moreover need to be extended along larger parts of the supply chain in new ownership models around materials to actually close supply chains. Lessons learned in this thesis can lead to substantial spin-of and follow-up by their exemplary performance. This study also showed that collaboration depends on personal preferences. When clients or market parties have different personal preferences that do not reflect high circular ambitions, circular supply chain collaboration cannot be established.