Since 2018, Nordic Innovation has actively promoted the adoption of circular business models across various industries where resources such as the Circular Economy Playbook have equipped Nordic companies with practical tools to facilitate their transition.
While many resources are available, they are often scattered and difficult to locate. This article brings them together in one place, offering a library of materials that can support organizations on their circular journey. The collection includes resources developed directly by Nordic Innovation in collaboration with partners, as well as valuable insights from other sources.
We hope this helps you navigate the ‘jungle’ of circular economy tools!
Tools and resources
Below you find a list of circular tools and resources including playbooks, guides and toolkits.
Playbooks
Nordic Circular Economy Playbook
The Nordic Circular Economy Playbook is a step-by-step toolkit providing companies with in-depth understanding of how to transition to circular business models and create business value with circularity. The playbook is mainly targeting the sectors: machinery & equipment, maritime, construction, transportation and energy.
Download
The playbook is supported by Nordic Innovation and developed by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Accenture.
Nordic Circular Economy Playbook 2.0 – Scale your circular business model
The Nordic Circular Economy Playbook 2.0 provides a step-by-step toolkit for companies on how to transform and scale their circular business. It also includes new regulations and tools.
Download
The playbook is supported by Nordic Innovation and developed by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Accenture.
Nordic Data Sharing Playbook (under development)
The playbook provides companies with knowledge on how to use data sharing as a tool for circular transition. The playbook gives examples of circular business models that are specifically supported by data sharing and looks at what capabilities are required for data sharing for circular purposes.
The playbook is supported by Nordic Innovation and developed by Accenture.
Guides
How to handle electric car batteries
The guide provides companies with safety guidelines and an ergonomic/work environment guideline for how to handle end-of-life Li-ion batteries in the Nordic island countries.
Download
The guide is supported by Nordic Innovation and developed by Esan AS, Tórshavnar kommuna, Chalmers Industriteknik, Netpartar, IRF, Stena Recycling, Destructor and Hringras.
Nordic Sustainability Reporting Standard – NSRS
The guide helps small and medium sized companies to align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
Download
Nordic Blockchain Guide for the fashion, furniture and design industries
This guide provides companies from the fashion, furniture and design industries with a step-by-step guide and checklists on how to use blockchain technology for the circular transition.
Download
The guide is supported by Nordic Innovation and developed by the Nordic Blockchain Alliance (PlussLab, the Norwegian Fashion and Textile Agenda (NF&TA), Interior Cluster Sweden, Science Park Borås, Suomen Tekstiili & Muoti and Lifestyle & Design Cluster).
Toolkits
Circular Strategies Wheel
The toolkit provides companies with eight different tools for kickstarting the circular innovation process. The Circular Strategies Wheel can be utilized for identifying current and future potential circular design strategies.
Download
The toolkit is developed by Danish Design Center.
CIRCit Workbooks
The toolkit provides companies with circular economy tools and guides such as:
A circular SWOT analysis, guides for circular product development and a circularity assessment tool.
Download
The toolkit is supported by Nordic Innovation in collaboration with NordForsk and Nordic Energy Research and developed by DTU – the Technical University of Denmark, RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden, NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Innovation Center Iceland and Technology Industries of Finland.
Pathways to Circular Business – 15 Tools and Guides for Product-Service System Innovation
The toolkit showcases 15 resources supporting circular innovation. The toolkit focuses on tools and guides to improve information sharing, streamline development and encourage collaboration across the value chain. It presents adaptable tools to foster circular economy principles and supports businesses in moving towards more sustainable, resource-efficient practices aligned with circular economy goals.
Download
The toolkit is developed by the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE).
Inspiration and knowledge
Knowledge: How to reduce emissions and environmental risks across the EV battery value chain
The study: Production and Recycling of EV Batteries. On the Road to Circularity? provides companies with knowledge around technologies and procedures capable of reducing emissions and minimizing environmental risks across the EV battery value chain.
Download
The study is developed by the Nordic Council of Ministers Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE).
Inspiration: Circularity of Batteries
The inspiration book provides companies with input on how to work with circularity of batteries and battery-driven products through new business models and improved ways of using batteries more efficiently.
Download
Podcast: Nordic Circular Design Programme
The Nordic Circular Design Programme Podcast explores the forefront of circular design practices in the Nordic region. The series features insightful conversations with leading designers, industry experts, and thought leaders. Each episode dives into the principles of circularity, showcasing inspiring projects, successful case studies, and practical strategies for creating a sustainable future.
Go to Podcast
Networks and events
The following resources are other types of resources that can help organizations with their circular transition such as networks and relevant events.
Networks
Nordic Circular Hotspot
Nordic Circular Hotspot is a network to accelerate the circular economy transition in the Nordics. If you join the Partnership Programme, your company can also join one of the industry-led Nordic Transition Groups where participants work together across sectors to address shared challenges.
Join the Partnership Programme
The network is supported by Nordic Innovation and run by Natural State, Lifestyle & Designcluster, Cradlenet, Circularities, Festa and Business Finland.
Events
World Circular Economy Forum
The world’s leading circular economy conference.
Read more about the event
The event is organized by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra in collaboration with international partners.
Nordic Circular Summit
The biggest circular economy event in the Nordic countries.
Read more about the event
The event is organized by Nordic Innovation in collaboration with Nordic Circular Hotspot.
LOOP Forum
LOOP forum is a business-focused circular economy forum.
Read more about the event
Besides from these concrete tools and resources, there are other types of resources providing insight into the most recent knowledge and research within the circular economy area. You can find some of it through the links here:
