Circular transformation of industries: the art of scaling circular supply chains

Circular transformation of industries: the art of scaling circular supply chains

Front page of the report. Black background with neon blue lines going in a circle. The text reads: In collaboration with Bain & Company and University of Cambridge. Circular Transformation of Industries: The Art of Scaling Circular Supply Chains. White Paper November 2025. At the top right is the World Economic Forum logo.
Type
Author
World Economic Forum
Bain & Company
University of Cambridge
Publication Date
November, 2025
Country
Other
Language for original content
Scope

Businesses across industries increasingly recognise circularity as a strategic lever for resilience, competitiveness and growth. Sourcing rare earths and other critical minerals is also becoming a geopolitical challenge, making the case for circular supply chains.

The conversation has shifted from why circularity matters to how it can be implemented at scale. However, circular strategies are complex to operationalise, so companies require clear priorities, smart design and strong partnerships to overcome scaling challenges.

This white paper outlines methods for prioritisation, approaches to design circular supply chains and key enablers that are essential for scale. It offers leaders actionable strategies to unlock economic value and accelerate circular transformation.