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

Direct and indirect reduction in economic costs

Cost Savings

Direct and indirect effects that increase revenues or the potential for new revenues, for example from new products, customer segments, partnerships or business models

Revenue Potential

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)

Reduced use of fossil fuel energy sources and/or increased use of renewable energy

Reduce Energy Consumption

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 transportation equipment for the movement of goods and people by air, rail, sea, and land, including airplanes, spacecraft and military equipment, ships, boats, rail locomotives and rolling stock, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, and related equipment, as well as repair services for such equipment

Transportation Equipment

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

Using materials that can be easily reused or recycled after use

Reusable, recyclable materials and inputs

Activities to clean, decorate, and restore products back to working condition for original or new purposes

Refurbishment, remanufacturing, renovation

Transforming waste products, materials for reuse within the same industry

Closed loop upcycling

Using waste materials that have been processed and recycled to produce new products within the same industry

Using closed loop recycled materials

Designing products so they produce as little waste as possible during production

Design for minimal waste

Designing products so they use as little materials, water, energy, etc. as possible during use

Design for resource efficiency

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

Facilitate discussions and meetings between internal team members to identify circular opportunities

Dialogue with internal stakeholders

Roadmaps and strategies and targets

Metrics and indicators to measure progress

Institutional design to enable circularity

Advocate for circular change

Maintenance to extend useful life

Extended Producer Responsibility

**Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all**

![7..JPG](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/7_9f1c6e1d56.JPG)

Access to electricity and clean cooking fuels has improved in many parts of the world, but 675 million people are yet to be connected to the grids and 2.3 billion are still cooking with unsafe and polluting fuels. 
The war in Ukraine and global economic uncertainty continue to cause significant volatility in energy prices, leading some countries to raise investments in renewables and others to increase reliance on coal, putting the green transition at risk. If the current pace continues, about 660 million people will still lack access to electricity and close to 2 billion people will continue to rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking by 2030. 

To ensure access to energy for all by 2030, we must accelerate electrification, increase investments in renewable energy sources, and invest in improving electricity grids.

This goal's targets include: 
- ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services;
- increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix;
- double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency;
- enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
- enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

Source : [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7)

large_Sustainable_Development_Goal_7.png

medium_Sustainable_Development_Goal_7.png

small_Sustainable_Development_Goal_7.png

thumbnail_Sustainable_Development_Goal_7.png

Sustainable_Development_Goal_7.png

7. Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

**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

Regenerate strategies phase out hazardous or toxic materials and processes and substitute them with regenerative biomass resources. A circular economy aims to mimic natural cycles—by shifting to more regenerative farming practices, for example—while also maximising the share of circular biomass that enters the economy. Regeneration can happen both at the systems level (by designing regenerative processes) as well as at the product level (by switching synthetic to organic fertilisers, for example).

Regenerate

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

‍Škoda Auto entered the EV race in 2010 with a small batch production of the Octavia model. This model can be seen in the Skoda Museum in Mlada Boleslav, Czechia. In 2019, the first serial car was put into production - the Citigoe iV. The first car based on the MEB platform (MEB stands for the German term "modularer e-Antriebs Baukasten") was the Enyaq iV in 2020. This platform was designed exclusively for electric vehicles. The Enyaq iV model quickly gained market share with 57,213 units produced in 2022. ‍Although the majority of batteries in Škoda EVs won’t reach their end-of-life for many years, some parts, which are essential to recycle, are generated by development and quality assurance processes. Of course, this cannot be overlooked. The volume of these batteries presents a challenge to implement and trial new processes focusing on 2nd life and recycling, allowing related innovations to be seamlessly integrated into the most efficient processes.  For this reason, the Czech OEM has been actively exploring various partnerships to postpone recycling by giving their batteries a second life. This circular business case analyses the strategy behind Škoda’s circularity efforts and reveals operational insights.‍‍The operational model‍Environmental care and a focus on sustainability don't end once the vehicle leaves the factory. Consideration is given to a car's environmental impact throughout its entire lifecycle, encompassing the development phase, production, usage, and recycling when the product reaches its end. Materials from the car after its useful life can be used to manufacture new products, thereby creating the "Closed Loop Economy" or also "Circular Economy". This brings not only financial savings, but also reduces reliance on raw material resources, and above all, lessens the industry’s impact on the environment. In the case of Li-ion batteries, up to 97% of used materials can be recycled. Until recycling becomes available, there's a smart solution: just because it's feasible to replace a car's Li-ion high voltage battery doesn't mean it's only fit for recycling. ‍An intriguing avenue that Škoda, in collaboration with partners like the subsidiary Škoda X, is exploring involves storing electrical energy in used accumulators. These can be installed in places where, due to infrastructure limitations, it is not feasible to build a regular large-capacity charging station, or where no sufficient distribution network is available. At the same time, the station can be charged with renewable sources of electricity, such as solar energy from photovoltaic panels. Pilot projects have shown that battery cell capacity in stationary systems decreases by only about 2% per year, extending battery life up to 15 years. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint. After the battery completes its second life, it can be recycled in line with circular economy principles, and its raw materials are reused for the production of new cells. ‍Currently, these projects are being developed and tested, for example, on high-voltage (HV) batteries used in prototypes for technical development or quality testing. The goal is to be ready when aged batteries with deteriorating SoH (State of Health) from customers begin to emerge in larger quantities, aiming to have the most suitable solution ready. These Li-ion batteries have thus become an important topic for the Aftersales department at Skoda Auto, which manages their recycling and secondary use as a crucial aspect of establishing recycling procedures across Škoda Auto. Used batteries are assessed and sorted internally according to stringent criteria for second life applications.‍Battery pack installed on the MEB platform‍Business model: 2nd life to reduce costs of recycling‍Škoda Auto’s primary circular value proposition is the reliable feedstock of functioning batteries that, while no longer suitable for highly demanding EV applications, are valuable for those with the capacity and expertise to repurpose them. For key customers such as integrators of battery energy storage systems (BESS), it’s important that these batteries come directly from the OEM. Škoda Auto has full knowledge about the battery’s properties (like its SoH – State-of-Health, as well as its history), and can provide assurance regarding the battery’s source.‍Battery life cycle of Škoda Auto‍From Škoda Auto’s perspective, every battery that enters its second life represents a reduction or deferral of recycling costs, aligning with the company's sustainability values. Additionally, the OEM can generate revenue through deals with battery repurposers or customers interested in energy storage products (e.g., charging station providers, energy utilities). If the battery is not in good condition or it completes its second life, the recycling comes into play. ‍From the perspective of automakers, the new battery regulations set for 2031 may present challenges for repurposing. When the targets for recycled content come into play, car manufacturers and suppliers will have to use recycled materials (16% for cobalt, 6% for lithium, and 6% for nickel). This raises the questions: how much recycled material will be available? European manufacturers must incorporate this consideration into their business and operational models to prepare for various market scenarios. This will likely place an even greater emphasis on reverse logistics.‍‍‍The public charging use case‍Škoda’s big public 2nd life project began in Praha-Chodov district in November 2022. The energy storage system, with a 300 kWh capacity, is comprised of battery modules from Enyaq iV. It serves as a public charging station capable of charging up to twelve electric vehicles at the same time – ten with an output of 22 kW and two on a fast 150 kW station. The partner in this project is Pražská Energetika (PRE), an electricity provider testing battery storage as an alternative way of strengthening the distribution network without the need for a new cable network. There is a growing demand for such applications since the electricity grid is often insufficient in many city areas to handle high power for EV charging. In addition, battery storages and smart electric vehicles can act as stabilising elements of the grid, using surplus energy and supplying energy during shortages.‍Second life battery storage system Praha-Chodov forcharging EVs‍‍This case study was elaborated as part of the BatteReverse project by Bax & Company with input from Škoda Auto. 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.‍

Europe

large_blob

medium_blob

small_blob

thumbnail_blob

blob

Škoda Auto

<p>Škoda Auto has implemented a strategic approach to extend the lifecycle of its electric vehicle (EV) batteries by repurposing them for stationary energy storage applications. This initiative not only reduces environmental impact but also offers economic benefits by deferring recycling costs and creating new revenue streams.​</p>