Radar 3/7
will have to start identifying, securing, processing and reusing key commodities in highly novel ways. The study main- tains that sustainability will be about the “efficient stewardship of scarce resourc- es” to ensure a firm’s long-term success. As businesses start to focus their invest- ments on producing more value with few resources, this will result in economic dematerialisation which could see com- panies begin to compete on the resource efficiency of their processes and products. This could create “protectionism of resources” with a focus on reclaiming end-of-life materials. “The most nimble organisations will develop new business models, such as closed loop systems,” the study predicts.
“The idea of a circular economy is not new, but companies will place renewed emphasis on security of supply and re- capturing end-of-life materials, particu- larly in the extractive and technology sectors.”
The research also maintains that compa- nies will become more decentralised and flexible as they adapt to such pressures within their global supply chains. Multinational corporations in partic- ular could find themselves navigating
an increasingly hostile and challenging operating environment if these trends play out.
“The overlapping challenges presented ... will mean that companies will need to plan for more than one issue at the same time – such as how water scarcity, food security and climate change will coalesce and affect the company, its supply chain and consumers,” the study notes. Interestingly, it also forecasts that those businesses ahead of the curve will start to offer expertise in resource management as part of their core service offering.
Campaign
FCC backs the Revolution
FCC Environment, one of the UK’s leading waste management companies, is throwing its weight behind the Resource Revolution – organised by SB sister titles LAWR and
edie.net.
The Resource Revolution is a high pro- file campaign, addressing the increasing-
ly more mainstream concepts of closed loop processes, the circular economy and cradle-to-cradle thinking. Key outputs include
a comprehen-
sive whitepaper, drawing on exclusive research, which examines the key stake- holders in closing the loop, their attitudes to collaboration and responsibilities and what waste producers and waste man- agement companies need to do in order to make the move from the traditional, linear approach.
This will be followed by a series of ‘Leader’ interviews focusing on each stakeholder group in turn including designers, retailers, manufacturers, con- sumer brands, SMEs, local authorities and waste management companies, and drawing on the research findings. These will be filed and broadcast over the com- ing weeks on
edie.net and include sessions with Unilever, John Lewis Partnership, the RSA and Coca-Cola Enterprises.
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