Circular Economy Innovation at Tetra Pak through use of PLM System - An Approach using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Governance Model to Integrate Business Strategies, Technology and Product Innovation to Support Circular Economy Principles

Sammanfattning

Problem description An increased importance of data management in organization is emerging. (Desai et al., 2022) Sharing and managing product data, information and knowledge are key aspects of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). (Terzi et al., 2010) It is both a technological and strategic challenge to implement a PLM system strategy in a company. (Gehrke et al., 2020) There also exists barriers companies need to overcome to have a successful circular economy (CE) implementation, such as a major systematic change. (Cantú et al., 2021) Implementing CE into PLM will require the different phases of the product lifecycle to be modified. (Villamil Velasquez et al., 2020) New mandatory sustainability reporting regulations such as Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires improved corporate transparency with its precise standards, and to provide relevant information regarding sustainable business activities. (Birkmann et al., 2024) Growing concerns regarding sustainability issues, and the emergence of the circular economy paradigm, in combination with new technological changes, press a need to redefine the PLM approach from a mass production paradigm to a new more on demand, customer-driven and knowledge-based production paradigm. (de Oliveira & Soares, 2017) Purpose The purpose of the thesis is to answer the problem statement regarding exploring the current state of the PLM system at Tetra Pak and how it can be adapted to better support the circular economy principles, including product reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, to drive sustainable product innovation. Research questions are formulated into three categories to answer the problem statement, including what has been implemented, current state, and future state. Method The research strategy of the thesis is both an explorative case study research with data collected through qualitative interviews and a literature review on the theoretical background on the topic. This resulted in a current state analysis of the case company, a benchmarking approach with other companies to broaden the perspective of the context of the thesis and leading to a roadmap approach. Conclusion The thesis proposes a unique strategic navigation presented in a roadmap, proposing how Tetra Pak can adapt the PLM system to better support the circular economy principles to drive sustainable product innovation. Important aspects to consider are proposed to be the technological approach, the change work approach and the stakeholders involved. Barriers exists to reach the aim with the roadmap in the identified areas such as technological, businesswise, CE implementation, change work, and the low emphasize at research institutions.