Results demonstrate the salience of neodymium flows via the electronics sector in 20 and based on clean technology trends, the role of neodymium in the automotive and renewable energy waste streams beyond 2030.Ĭircular economy has been on top of the EU agenda as a practical solution for global challenges on resources, environmental issues and social well-being. Through quantifying, modeling and characterizing neodymium stocks and flows using material flow analysis (MFA) and scenario mapping, this research aims to determine the theoretical potential of the neodymium urban mine using the an assessment in the Netherlands in 20 as a case study. With 86% of neodymium primary production, separation and refining monopolized by China combined with its significance to the global (decarbonizing) economy, neodymium has been identified as a critical raw material across virtually every non-fuel mineral criticality assessment hitherto. Neodymium applications, especially the neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnet, have substantially enabled continuous miniaturization in the electronics sector and have become increasingly vital to electric mobility and direct-drive wind turbines. Conceiving of Circular Economy from historical and conceptual perspectives, this critical literature review allows interested audiences to perceive that it is far from being a static theoretical idea and is in fact more akin to a social construct. Within this literature review, the following main elements have been investigated: A general portrait of the associated key concepts that underlie Circular Economy, including a conceptual timeline What is (or should be) Circular Economy, including definitions, principles, implementation and barriers Positioning and mapping of Circular Economy according to scope and concreteness, sustainability approach and circularity thinking. Against this backdrop, it seemed imperative to the CIRAIG and its international industrial partners to explore through a science-based white paper what are Circular Economy’s historical and conceptual background as well as make sense of its key associated concepts, such as Sustainable Development, Green Economy, Industrial Ecology and Functional Economy. It is usually pegged against a background of impending economic and environmental crisis, and as such, has prompted much interest from business, academia and governments in the last 5 to 10 years. It is a concept that is usually presented as an alternative to the ‘linear economy’, which according to certain stakeholders is synonymous with a ‘take-make-waste’ approach. Each part/chapter is dedicated to answer one, or more, research question/sub-question, creating a unique narrative aimed at defining, in the last chapter, a circular thing addressing two main questions: How a circular thing is defined? What are the main features to define a circular object?Ĭircular Economy is generally described as being a transformative, restorative and regenerative economic or industrial system that could enable humanity to exist within existing planetary limits while ensuring that organizations keep on thriving. Finally, in part III three applications are presented highlighting both limitations and opportunities (chapter 8) in order to introduce in the final chapter an Information System Theory for the Circular Economy (chapter 9). In part II the main underlying concepts (chapter 5), schools of thought (chapter 6) and methodologies (chapter 7) related to the circular economy are explained and discussed. The thought of fundamental thinkers in environmental economics and sociology and in the definition of the planetary boundaries such as, among others, Kenneth Boulding, Herman Daly, Denis and Donella Meadows, Paul Ehrlich, Howard Odum, Johan Rockström, as well as in the management of Commons and the social dilemma (Jeremy Rifkin, Elinor Ostrom, Garrett Hardin, Carol Rose) and in the materials and waste management (Thomas Graedel, Walter Stahel, David Pearce and Kerry Turner), are reported and analyzed in order to provide a general context and a robust interpretation of the ongoing circular and ecological transition. In brief, in part I a general framework - energy-materials-information - is proposed starting from a historical overview and the most relevant up-to-date scientific literature (chapters 1 to 4). The whole thesis is subdivided in three parts.
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