LINCIT research project - Nieuws

While many frontrunners are “born circular” (that is, they designed a circular business model from the very start), most businesses need to transition from a linear to circular business ecosystem step by step. This transition is a journey that requires a mentality shift and thorough redesign of supply chains and operations. 

Compared to classic linear chains, circular chains are more complex – they include many interdependencies and feedback loops. Indeed, additional material flows emerge as waste gets recycled, or as manufacturers take back used products for remanufacturing. Organizing such new material flows also calls for new logistics solutions, new information feedback, new financial flows, and new business models.

The LINCIT project focuses on developing knowledge, insights, and tools for guiding companies with their transition from linear supply chains to circular business ecosystems and organizing the associated logistics and operational processes. The project studies the transition from a linear to circular economy from an ecosystem perspective.

The research questions will be studied in a Living Lab with three use case clusters, directly relevant to the Living Lab partners, and organized along the circularity ladder: (1) reusable packaging and transport items, (2) servitization and remanufacturing, and (3) circular plastics.

Researchers, involved in this program:

• Alex Alblas: Assistant Professor of Product and Process Innovation at TU/e
• Zümbül Atan: Associate Professor on multi-echelon supply chains subject to demand and supply uncertainties at TU/e
• Christina Imdahl: Assistant Professor of Machine Learning in Operations Management at TU/e
• Néomie Raassens: Associate Professor of Servitization and Innovation Outsourcing at TU/e
• Yeqing Zhou: Assistant Professor in Operations Management at TU/e

Academic Partners:

• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
• HU University of Applied Sciences
• NHL Stenden University
• Wageningen University & Research