Success requires systemic change. Without commitments from all stakeholders and global collaborative efforts, circular transformation will continue to stagnate, delivering only slow and incremental change.

With an ever-changing landscape in the global economy, industrial companies are forced to rethink their use of resources and their contribution to economic growth. Circular transformation can help achieve robust and sustainable expansion in a resource-constrained world. However, over the past 20 years, companies have often failed to scale their circular initiatives due to a narrowly defined scope and focus on incremental changes to the operational status quo. The circular transformation of industries at large can help companies unlock productivity, innovation and sustainability, but will require systemic change within and beyond the four walls of organizations, and the involvement of all stakeholders, including government, academia and civil society.