Abstract Summary
The majority of industrial processes and their supply chains follow a linear model, which is wasteful and inefficient. The transition from Linear to Circular Economy (CE) business models is a growing trend globally, with a focus on recovering and reusing waste materials to decouple economic growth from environmental losses. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the incentives needed to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, and how do they differ across European countries. This research investigates into the Circular Economy concept, focusing specifically on PU rigid foam and its implementation within the European Union (EU). The CE framework seeks sustainable development by moving away from the conventional "end-of-life" approach and adopting strategies like reusing, recycling, and reducing materials throughout production and consumption processes. This study offers valuable insights into the key factors and their interconnectedness in the shift toward a circular economy for PU foam in the EU. The investigation concentrates on three distinct economies: Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany, aiming to underscore the disparities in their progress towards CE. To comprehend regional dynamics, 28 interviews were conducted with stakeholders, academia, and policymakers. These interviews aimed to pinpoint the most influential factors in each region and provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities they encounter. For data analysis, a structured cognitive fuzzy mapping technique (FCM) was employed. FCM is a qualitative modeling method utilizing cognitive maps, graphical representations of variables and their causal relationships, to illustrate a system's operations. Cognitive maps prove invaluable in capturing intricate relationships between variables, particularly in situations where statistical data is limited. The FCM technique involves multiple steps to offer a thorough assessment of the system's dynamics.
