Publications
Peer reviewed
A Systematic Literature Review of the Solar Photovoltaic Value Chain for a Circular Economy
Franco, M. A. and S. N. Groesser (2021). "A Systematic Literature Review of the Solar Photovoltaic Value Chain for a Circular Economy." Sustainability 13(17): 9615.
DOI:
As the solar photovoltaic market booms, so will the volume of photovoltaic (PV) systems entering the waste stream. The same is forecast for lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, which at the end of their automotive life can be given a second life by serving as stationary energy storage units for renewable energy sources, including solar PV. The main objective of this paper is to systematically review the “state-of-the-art” research on the solar PV value chain (i.e., from product design to product end-of-life), including its main stages, processes, and stakeholder relationships, in order to identify areas along the value chain where circular strategies could be implemented, thereby advancing the transition of the PV industry towards circularity. To achieve this goal, we conducted a systematic literature review of 148 peer-reviewed articles, published in English between 2000 and 2020. Results show the PV value chain has been studied from a forward flow supply chain perspective and mostly from a technological point of view, with little regard for circular design, circular business models, and PV reuse. This article thus takes an integrated value chain perspective, introduces some of the barriers to circularity that industry players face, and argues that these barriers represent future opportunities for incumbent and new entrants to innovate within a circular PV industry.
A system dynamics approach to product design and business model strategies for the circular economy
Franco, M. A. (2019). "A system dynamics approach to product design and business model strategies for the circular economy." Journal of Cleaner Production 241: 118327.
By means of a system dynamics computer simulation model, this paper analyzes the systemic effects of combining multiple product design and business model strategies for slowing and closing resource loops in a circular economy. In the model, green (i.e., recycled) and brown (i.e., traditional linear) products, as well as products under a PSS model, flow in a closed-loop supply chain. The model structure covers issues related to product design, product use and replacement, second-hand use, product discard, and finally, collection and processing for product recycling. Results from this research provide insights into the relationship between design considerations at the beginning of a product's life and their implications for the product's take-back stage when a new manufacturing cycle begins. The main contributions of this paper are the considerations of time delays and reinforcing feedback loops in the design of an effective closed-loop supply chain.
Circular economy at the micro level: A dynamic view of incumbents’ struggles and challenges in the textile industry
Franco, M. A. (2017). "Circular economy at the micro level: A dynamic view of incumbents’ struggles and challenges in the textile industry." Journal of Cleaner Production 168: 833-845.
The Circular Economy (CE) has received considerable attention as an approach that promises to reconcile ecological systems and economic growth. In spite of its increased popularity, little is known about the implementation struggles of incumbent firms across industrial sectors. Furthermore, although the notion of circular production systems is at the intersection of different research areas such as sustainable product design, sustainable supply chains, and reverse logistics, knowledge on how these concepts combine to ease or impede firms' transition towards circularity is scarce. To shed light on these gaps, I used multiple case studies from Cradle to Cradle certified companies in the textile industry in Europe. By employing qualitative research, I identified a set of factors along the textile value chain, from product design to take-back and reprocessing, that are crucial in expediting or delaying a firm's aspirations to develop a circular product. The main contribution of this paper is the dynamic understanding of how certain collaborative supplier-buyer innovation factors (i.e., supply chain position, power balance, and a shared vision) coupled with complex aspects in product design, namely in basic materials, architecture, and functionality, combine to determine the output speed and quantity of circular products to be sold, taken back, and ultimately regenerated.
Book chapters
Buyer-supplier collaboration for eco-innovations in a circular economy
Franco, M. A. (2021). Buyer-supplier collaboration for eco-innovations in a circular economy: A network theory approach. Sustainable Innovation: Strategy, Process, and Impact. C. L. Voinea, N. Roijakkers and W. Ooms, Routledge/ Taylor & Francis.
Eco-innovations are increasingly regarded as an essential component in societies’ transition to sustainability, due to their potential to reduce the environmental impact of resource-intensive production and consumption activities. Because a firm’s knowledge base alone might not be sufficient as a source of diversified knowledge, the firm must look for ways to capture, interpret, and deploy knowledge from its external networks. Supply networks stand as one of the key sources in the hunt for the novel knowledge outside the focal firm. Supported by concepts in network theory, this paper is aimed at investigating how collaboration for innovation is more likely to materialize in a supplier network. The theoretical propositions elaborate on the role of power, tie strength, and geographical proximity in the development of innovations for the circular economy. Overall, this study extends the discussion of traditional buyer-supplier relationships by emphasizing a wider network perspective in which network effects and the complex nature of collaboration are highlighted.
Non-Peer reviewed articles
How much CO2 in one kilogram of coffee? (German)
Franco, M. A. (2023). Wie viel CO2 verursacht ein Kilo Kaffee?: BFH Spirit. SPIRIT Biel/Bienne (BFH magazine). Volume on “Sustainable Development”
What does the CO2 footprint of coffee look like? The Belém Café roastery from Schüpfen, Switzerland wanted to know exactly this and contacted the BFH. This article describes the work of a bachelor's thesis in the field of industrial engineering and business engineering, where the environmental impact of the "Brasil" coffee variety was investigated.
Switzerland’s Energy Transition: An Overview and Future Challenges
Franco, M. A. (2022). Switzerland’s Energy Transition: An Overview and Future Challenges.
Research report commissioned by a local political party.
The Circular Economy (CE) has received considerable attention as an approach that promises to reconcile ecological systems and economic growth. In spite of its increased popularity, little is known about the implementation struggles of incumbent firms across industrial sectors. Furthermore, although the notion of circular production systems is at the intersection of different research areas such as sustainable product design, sustainable supply chains, and reverse logistics, knowledge on how these concepts combine to ease or impede firms' transition towards circularity is scarce. To shed light on these gaps, I used multiple case studies from Cradle to Cradle certified companies in the textile industry in Europe. By employing qualitative research, I identified a set of factors along the textile value chain, from product design to take-back and reprocessing, that are crucial in expediting or delaying a firm's aspirations to develop a circular product. The main contribution of this paper is the dynamic understanding of how certain collaborative supplier-buyer innovation factors (i.e., supply chain position, power balance, and a shared vision) coupled with complex aspects in product design, namely in basic materials, architecture, and functionality, combine to determine the output speed and quantity of circular products to be sold, taken back, and ultimately regenerated.
Circular Business Models for PV and Electric Batteries (German)
Franco, M. A. (2020). Zirkuläre Geschäftsmodelle für Photovoltaik und Elektrofahrzeugbatterien. SPIRIT Biel/Bienne (BFH magazine). Volume on “Blue Ecology”
CIRCUSOL is a research and innovation project of Horizon 2020 and aims to implement sustainable, circular business models for the photovoltaic (PV) industry. Circular recycling strategies include the reuse, repair and refurbishment of PV modules and lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles.
