Product-as-a-service for critical raw materials: challenges, enablers, and needed research
Résumé
The efficiency of using critical raw materials (CRMs) needs to be increased urgently in light of a circular economy (CE). This conference paper describes the benefits, current challenges, enablers, and needed research regarding product-as-a-service (PaaS) for CRMs in the context of a CE. In particular, it will analyse PaaS with electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the home appliance sector from five relevant perspectives: design, remanufacturing, recycling, costing, and regulations. Based on a literature review and analysis, important topics are documented, for instance, user-centred design, user behaviour, reverse logistics, cost assessment and allocation, use of Industry 4.0 technologies, and governmental regulations. Also, the importance of systemic innovation is pointed out.