Assessment of circularity constraints in the European Union’s solar photovoltaics supply chain

Abstract

The dissertation focuses on analysing circularity constraints within a supply chain. The supply chain in this dissertation is defined as a circular supply chain (CSC) that includes materials, components, and end-of-life management of products. The identified research gap is a missing method for organisations to constantly improve circularity in the supply chain. The dissertation aims to propose a circular supply chain theoretical framework model for the continuous improvement of circularity in the CSC. Furthermore, a tool consisting of the sequence of the procedure for identification and assessment of circularity constraints is proposed and applied in the EU photo-voltaics (PV) industry. The literature analysis in the first chapter resulted in a list of indicators to measure circularity and the proposition of a CSC theoretical framework. The second chapter proposes a tool for identifying and assessing circularity constraints. It also describes the methods used. The third part of the dissertation provides the results of the methods used. Dissertation tasks include (1) analysing CE principles in supply chains, (2) analysing theories and concepts related to CE in supply chains, (3) developing an indicator system to measure circularity in the supply chain, (4) proposing a circular supply chain theoretical framework model, (5) proposing and applying a tool for circularity constraint assessment and solution identification in the EU PV supply chain. The dissertation proposed a circular supply chain theoretical framework model that expands the theory of constraints, knowledge management, resource-based view and resource-dependency theories. The research findings reveal how CE-related knowledge, resources, and capabilities impact the EU PV supply chain’s circularity potential. The dissertation findings are a list of circularity constraints within the EU PV supply chain. The constraints range from a fragmented regulatory approach for end-of-life PV module management in each EU member state to industry difficulties in cooperating for circularity purposes. The top priority is the hesitant exchange of information. Where most photovoltaics industry components are produced outside the European Union, it is difficult to obtain information regarding materials content, recyclability, disassembly, testing history, etc. The hesitant exchange of information also affects the top four constraints: insufficient traceability of photovoltaic modules, poor logistics handling in the reverse supply chain and illegal end-of-life photovoltaic module exports to non-European countries. The recommendations of the dissertation results suggest synchronising the regulatory landscape across the EU member states, standardising end-of-life PV module operators’ data sharing for circularity purposes, and implementing a centralised database in the EU to manage all CSC data related to circularity.