large_bax-logo-mih-dark-background.png

medium_bax-logo-mih-dark-background.png

small_bax-logo-mih-dark-background.png

thumbnail_bax-logo-mih-dark-background.png

bax-logo-mih-dark-background.png

**Bax Innovation is a forward-thinking innovation consultancy dedicated to transforming ideas into societal impact. Our work in circularity spans a multitude of industries and topics, including wind energy, battery storage, sharing cities, and the urban bio-economy.  We partner with organisations to design scalable solutions for the circular economy, focusing on reducing waste and optimising resource use.**

Our expertise encompasses:​

**Materials circularity:** Identifying, evaluating, and shaping interventions that create maximum value from materials, ensuring they remain in use for as long as possible.​

**Circular business modelling:** Developing, testing, and scaling business models that create, retain, or recover value, facilitating the transition from linear to circular practices.​

**Creating circular value networks:** Bringing together stakeholders to transfer knowledge, take action, and create shared value, fostering collaborative approaches to circularity.​

By collaborating with public and private sector leaders, Bax is driving practical, impactful circular economy solutions across industries. Our case studies exemplify how circular principles can be applied to a wide range of challenges—from energy and materials to urban systems and the sharing economy. Through this collection, we share insights and learnings to inspire further action in creating a sustainable, circular world.

**For more information on our work and projects, please visit: [https://baxcompany.com/case-studies/](https://baxcompany.com/case-studies/)**

**If you'd like to reach out to a member of the team, email us at [contact@baxcompany.com](mailto:contact@baxcompany.com)**

Bax Innovation

large_Untitled design (1).png

medium_Untitled design (1).png

small_Untitled design (1).png

thumbnail_Untitled design (1).png

Untitled design (1).png

Business case

Impact on the quantity or quality of jobs, and shifts in the labour market

Jobs

Direct and indirect reduction in economic costs

Cost Savings

Efficiency gains on operations or transactions either through cultural or technological shifts

Productivity

Impact on the ease of innovation, and facilitating uptake of innovations

Innovation

Scalability

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

Reduced use of virgin materials and/or an increase of the use of secondary and bio-based materials

Reduce Material Consumption (SDG12)

Minimise waste through diversion: Instead of sending waste to landfill, it is redirected into other industrial processes for handling, treatment, recycling, recovery, or reuse in various forms. 

Minimise waste through design: At the outset of a process of project, plan and design such that there is zero waste or minimal waste during production, use, and at end of life. 

Minimise Waste (SDG12)

Providing electricity and gas services, including traditional and renewable energy generation, natural and manufactured gas and operating gas networks

Energy Utilities and Independent Power Producers

Producing electronics products for businesses and consumers, including cellular phones, personal computers, printers, servers, electronic computer components and peripherals, TVs, audio equipment, as well as household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, etc.

Electronics and Appliances

Providing air, water, rail, and land transportation and related services for the distribution of goods, such as air freight, air courier and logistics services, maritime freight, marine courier and logistics services, rail freight, rail courier and logistics services, land freight, land courier and logistics services, including package and mail delivery and customs agents, as well as storage and warehouse facilities

Logistics Services

Producing electric cables and wires, power-generating equipment, including solar modules, motors, power turbines, as well as electronic equipment and instruments, including computer chips, communication equipment, analytical instruments, lasers, display screens, point-of-sales machines, security system equipment, and healthcare equipment

Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Providing services where customers are charged only when they use it

Payment per use

Designing products of multiple parts that can be easily disassembled

Design for disassembly

Designing products to remove any barriers to recycling and enable easy recyclability

Design for recycling

Working together with stakeholders and parties in other unrelated industries to implement circular economy strategies and opportunities

Cross-industry projects, pilots

Working together with industry peers to engage in business activities or exploratory projects that advance the circular economy

Joint industry ventures, projects, pilots

Utilising data and models to to identify, enable and/or implement circular strategies (eg. effective resource use & logistics planning, circular business models & design)

Data analytics, modelling

Data, knowledge & information sharing

Monitoring & enforcement

Environmental assessment & permits

Extended Producer Responsibility

Technology standards

**Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation**

![9..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9_aa8da1d9c6.JPG)

The manufacturing industry’s recovery from COVID-19 remains incomplete and uneven: some high-income regions achieved record-high manufacturing value added per capita in 2022 but levels in LDCs were not much higher than the 2015 baseline. 
In the aftermath of the pandemic, data show that higher-technology industries recovered faster and proved to be more resilient, pointing to the need to promote innovation and technology transfer in a way that benefits all countries. 

Inclusive and sustainable industrial development has been incorporated, together with resilient infrastructure and innovation, as Sustainable Development Goal 9 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

To achieve Goal 9 by 2030 it is essential to support LDCs, invest in advanced technologies, lower carbon emissions, and increase global mobile broadband access.

This goal's target includes:
- develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all;
- promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries;
- increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets;
- by 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities;
- enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending;
- facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States;
- support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities;
- significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/industry](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/industry)

large_Sustainable_Development_Goal_9.png

medium_Sustainable_Development_Goal_9.png

small_Sustainable_Development_Goal_9.png

thumbnail_Sustainable_Development_Goal_9.png

Sustainable_Development_Goal_9.png

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure  

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

**Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns**

![12..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/12_ff44598f2b.JPG)

The world is seriously off track in its effort to halve per-capita food waste and losses by 2030.The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on consumption and production patterns, with disruptions to global supply chains and changes in consumer behaviour. 

Responsible consumption and production must be an integral part of the recovery from the pandemic. 
But the global economy also needs to speed up the decoupling of economic growth from resource use by maximizing the socio-economic benefits of resources while minimizing their negative impacts. 

Reporting on corporate sustainability has tripled since the beginning of the SDG period, but the private sector will need to significantly improve reporting on activities that contribute to the SDGs. 

This primarily entails environmentally sound management of "toxic chemicals" A substantial use of chemicals is essential to meet the social and economic goals of the world community, and these can be used with a high degree of safety when best practices are followed.  Gross chemical contamination, with grave damage to human health, genetic structures reproductive outcomes, and the environment, has been continuing within some of the world's most important industrial areas, and restoration will require major investment as well as the development of new techniques.
Effective control of the generation, storage, treatment, recycling and reuse, transport, recovery and disposal of hazardous wastes is another similar challenge. 
In addition,  solid wastes include all domestic refuse and non-hazardous wastes such as commercial and institutional wastes, street sweepings construction debris, and, in some countries, human wastes. As hazardous waste is frequently intermixed with other waste, this poses particular management challenges.
Finally, this target ensures that radioactive waste is safely managed, transported, stored and disposed of, with a view to protecting human health and the environment. 

To deliver SDG12, it is crucial to implement policies that support the shift to sustainable practices and decouple economic growth from resource use.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/chemicals-and-waste](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/chemicals-and-waste)

thumbnail_12.png

12.png

12. Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

**Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts**

![13..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/13_26b36d59ff.JPG)

The science is clear: our climate is heating rapidly. The average global temperatures have increased by 1.2 degrees Celsius since 1880, particularly in the late 20th century. The concentration of atmospheric CO2, the GHG that contributes more than 2/3 to global warming, is at its highest level ever. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) steadily points out that human activities have warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, producing widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere. 

Without transformative action starting now and within this decade to reduce greenhouse gas emissions deeply and rapidly in all sectors, the 1.5°C target will be at risk and with it the lives of more than 3 billion people. 
According to IPCC, warming beyond 1.5 degrees could have irreversible and irreparable consequences. However, effective and equitable adaptation and mitigation actions can significantly reduce vulnerability and contribute to climate resilience. To limit global warming to well below 2, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, countries came together to hold themselves accountable under the Paris Agreement. 

Failure to act leads to intensifying heat waves, droughts, flooding, wildfires, sea-level rise, and famines. Emissions should already be decreasing now and will need to be cut almost by half by 2030 - a mere seven years from now. 


To combat climate change and its impacts by 2030, urgent and transformative action is needed to meet the commitments under the Paris Agreement across mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/climate-action-synergies](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/climate-action-synergies)

thumbnail_13.png

13.png

13. Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Slow strategies aim to keep materials in use for as long as possible, for example through design for durability and repairability. A more circular economy is also a slower one: materials, components, and products—and even buildings and infrastructure—that we lock in stocks are made to last. This will lower material demand in the long run, in essence also serving to narrow resource flows.

Slow

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

Impacts

small_climate-4803653_640.jpg

thumbnail_climate-4803653_640.jpg

climate-4803653_640.jpg

Industries

small_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

thumbnail_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enabled and encourage the transition to the circular economy

Policy Instruments

medium_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

small_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

thumbnail_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enable and stimulate the transition to the circular economy

The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

large_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

medium_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

small_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

thumbnail_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

![fh.JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/fh_45de648312.JPG)

**These 17 Goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.**

The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, and especially on the Millennium Declaration adopted in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York which let to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015.

In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed. A major blueprint came out of this: The Sustainable Development Goals: 17 overarching goals—and 169 targets—that governments are aiming to meet by 2030. Significant progress has been made in terms of poverty, health and inequality, but there's still a way to go. This is where the circular economy comes in: by circulating resources multiple times, the circular economy tackles issues of scarcity and allows all to access what they need—without overburdening the earth. If it's implemented in a holistic way—affording attention to social considerations and the fair distribution of resources— it also offers a pathway for achieving the SDGs; and the link between the two is ever-growing. To read more about the link between the SDGs and the circular economy, click [here](https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/how-the-circular-economy-can-help-us-reach-the-sustainable-development-goals).

It is the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) which provides substantive support and capacity-building for the SDGs and their related thematic issues. TheDSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. In order to make the 2030 Agenda a reality, broad ownership of the SDGs must translate into a strong commitment by all stakeholders to implement the global goals. DSDG aims to help facilitate this engagement.
Alongside this, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
In addition, the UN Secretary-General presents an annual SDG Progress report, which is developed in cooperation with the UN System, and based on the global indicator framework and data produced by national statistical systems and information collected at the regional level.

To read more information: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

large_sdgs.png

medium_sdgs.png

small_sdgs.png

thumbnail_sdgs.png

sdgs.png

![Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2024_10_21_at_16_53_12_12858da6aa.png)

Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

medium_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

small_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

thumbnail_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

‍In today’s Europe, there is a heightened awareness among citizens about the importance of recycling household waste. From a young age, Europeans are taught to sort their waste at home so it can be properly recycled. Several countries have implemented deposit-return schemes for items like glass bottles, incentivising consumers through financial returns. This culture of recycling and participation in circular economy practices is well-established for household waste, but is not so clear for something the majority of Europeans own: a car. For most, it is a mystery what happens to their car at the end of its life, if and how their car is recycled, obligations as a car owner, and other responsible entities.In Belgium, the overall coordination of the collection, processing, and recycling of cars is spearheaded by Febelauto. As a non-profit Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), Febelauto is responsible for the cars at the end of their (first) life and fulfils the waste management obligations of OEMs or importers. In 2022, Febelauto facilitated the collection of 81,350 vehicles through its network of over 100 authorised treatment facilities (ATFs), overseeing the administrative obligations, accurate reporting, and payments. Recently, the introduction of EVs and their lithium-ion batteries, brought with them new complexities, necessitating new ways of handling safety, processing, and recycling. Map of Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Febelauto’s network‍The operational model: transition to high-voltage battery treatment‍The introduction of an electric vehicle to the EU market, by either producers or importers, triggers extended producer responsibility (EPR) under the ELV Directive. This responsibility encompasses the end-of-life treatment of their products. Although they can organise the collection themselves, producers and importers often delegate this responsibility to PROs like Febelauto, which, in collaboration with car workshops ATFs, ensures the safe dismantling of vehicles. Compliance with the Febelauto Norm is mandatory for ATFs to join the network and handle high-voltage batteries safely, earning them the designation 'ATF+'. Currently, Febelauto’s network boasts more than 108 ATFs, including 6 ATFs+, such as Galloo and Belgian Scrap Terminal.Febelauto supports producers and importers in both closed and open systems. In the closed system, the collection and logistics are managed internally by the OEMs, safeguarding their intellectual property and economic interests. Febelauto's role is then limited to reporting collected data to authorities. Conversely, in the open system, Febelauto offers comprehensive services, including logistics, storage, and recycling or repurposing of batteries, alongside its reporting obligations. Currently, around 95% of EV batteries and modules are sourced from car workshops within its network, primarily due to recalls or warranty claims. Only 5% of EV batteries come from ATFs, with the majority being recycled due to significant damage or degradation. As EVs get older, more batteries are likely to be suitable for repurposing. In 2022, Febelauto collected 5,715 EV batteries, weighing 136 tonnes, a stark contrast to the 23,500 tonnes of new EV batteries introduced to the Belgian market in the same year.One of the car dismantling sites within the Febelauto network‍The business model: seeking added value in circular management‍Febelauto uses a pay-as-you-collect system, meaning that the OEM or importer pays once a year for all the batteries that have been processed. Other PRO systems require an upfront payment when bringing the product to market. This model is particularly beneficial for OEMs and importers, spreading the financial burden over time and aligning with the release of new models.The cost per battery in the pay-as-you-collect system depends on the extent of damage to the battery, the complexity of handling required in terms of storage and transport, and whether they end up being recycled or repurposed. Damaged batteries entail higher costs due to the need for stringent safety measures during storage and transport, while batteries in better condition can generate profits for the OEM or importer. Febelauto offers the possibility to repurpose such batteries, which is beneficial for the importer or OEM. Instead of giving the battery away and having to pay for transporting and recycling costs, they now sell the battery to repurposing companies. For repurposers, which often struggle to secure sufficient number of retired batteries from OEMs, Febelauto can offer an additional source of supply. It’s a win-win situation, offering financial and environmental benefits.Febelauto’s circular business modelThe increasing number of EV batteries that must be collected presents various challenges for organisations like Febelauto. Their ATFs need upskilling and new tools to safely handle high-voltage batteries, and access to dismantling information is sometimes limited, resulting in challenges in battery status tracking. Febelauto addresses these challenges through innovation, such as enhancing reporting efficiency with a new QR-code based data management system. Each partner of Febelauto (workshop, dismantler) applies a QR code onto the module or pack and registers it in the system. This system facilitates real-time tracking of battery status, from collection to recycling or sale. Febelauto is also actively involved in various working groups which aim to improve ELV and battery regulations.‍‍Repurposing use case: collaboration with Watt4Ever‍For repurposing activities, Febelauto has a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Watt4Ever. It’s a company founded by five partners: Febelauto, Out of use, Eco-lithium, Revolta and Shence Management. While Febelauto takes care of the administrative and legal requirements, Watt4Ever takes care of all technical aspects of battery repurposing: dismantling, testing and certification, reassemby into energy storage systems, and delivery and installation at the customer’s site. This collaboration ensures that once Watt4Ever acquires a battery, it assumes full responsibility for the product and its lifecycle management.Before repurposing, batteries must undergo a thorough assessment to determine their state of health (SoH) and safety. This process begins at the car workshop where a visual and electrical inspection is conducted and summarised in a ‘health document’ that is sent to Febelauto. Based on this document, Febelauto assigns healthy batteries to be repurposed and sends them to Watt4Ever. There, further assessments will be conducted to ensure the battery is suitable for repurposing. In 2022, around 20% of the 136 tonnes of batteries handled by Febelauto were repurposed by Watt4Ever. Including OEM projects, around 40-50% of EV batteries reaching their end-of-first life were repurposed in Belgium. For instance, Watt4Ever built a 270kWh/240kW battery system for GreenYellow, a subsidiary of the Casino Group. The battery is installed in one of the Groupe Casino’s stores in St-Etienne, France, and is the first second-life storage system to provide Frequency Control Reserves in the entire country.Considering access to retired EV batteries, dismantler networks like Febelauto prove to be important partners in improving battery circularity. Stationary storage from repurposed EV batteries in St-Etienne, France‍This case study was elaborated as part of the BatteReverse project by Bax & Company with input from Febelauto. The article is part of the Circular Business Cases series, which analyses existing business models for Li-ion batteries. ‍‍Join the BatteReverse community for more industry insights shaping the battery circularity landscape.‍

Belgium

small_blob

thumbnail_blob

blob

Febelauto is the management organisation for end-of-life vehicles and industrial batteries in Belgium. 

Febelauto

<p>Febelauto, Belgium's Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), has developed a comprehensive system for managing the lifecycle of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. By integrating safe dismantling practices, data-driven tracking, and partnerships for battery repurposing, Febelauto facilitates a circular economy model that benefits manufacturers, recyclers, and the environment.​</p>