Circular economy as the key to independence: how to make your company crisis-proof

Imagine another geopolitical conflict breaks out overnight and many countries suddenly stop supplying important raw materials. Available resources become scarce, prices rise rapidly and companies fight for the remaining stocks. You have customer orders that need to be fulfilled, but your supply chains are in danger of failing.

At a time when the supply of raw materials can be disrupted at any time and materials are becoming increasingly expensive, it is crucial to become more independent. Ask yourselves: How much does your company depend on new raw materials? What happens if they are suddenly no longer available or too expensive?

The circular economy (Circular Economy) offers an effective solution. It allows you to maintain your production while other companies are forced to shut down their production or fight for the last available raw materials. Not only do you save considerable costs by using your resources more efficiently and remaining independent of fluctuating market prices, but you also strengthen your position on the market. While competitors struggle with delivery failures and loss of trust, you continue to deliver reliably and thus gain the trust and loyalty of your customers. At the same time, the circular economy opens up new business models and sources of income for you, so that you not only remain stable in times of crisis, but can even grow.

How to get started with Circular Economy:

1. identify critical materials:
First of all, you should find out which materials in your production are rare, expensive or particularly susceptible to supply bottlenecks. Raw materials such as rare earths, certain metals or special plastics could be particularly at risk. Once you know which materials are potentially problematic, you can look for alternatives and set priorities.

2. analyze and optimize the value chain:
Analyze your entire value chain to identify dependencies and possible weak points. Consider where waste is generated and how it can be used or recycled more efficiently. It is equally important to always maintain good relationships with those you depend on. In times of crisis, suppliers gain power. They can choose their customers and give preference to those with whom they have close and reliable partnerships. Those who maintain a strong, trusting relationship with their key suppliers are more likely to continue to be supplied even in difficult times. Good relationships with suppliers are therefore not just a matter of courtesy, but a strategic investment in the future of your company.

3. focus on available and sustainable materials:
Replace raw materials that are difficult to obtain or expensive with materials that are available in sufficient quantities and can be procured more easily. This could mean using local resources or relying on materials that are less susceptible to geopolitical tensions. Such decisions contribute to the long-term stability and flexibility of your production.

4. implement sustainable product design:
Rethink the design of your products so that they are durable, repairable and easily recyclable. Modularity makes it easier to replace or renew individual parts. This keeps you flexible and allows you to reuse existing materials, even if new raw materials are hard to come by.

5. develop sustainability strategies and contingency plans:
Create comprehensive sustainability strategies and contingency plans that contain clear instructions for dealing with raw material shortages. These plans should include regular reviews and adjustments to current developments. This way, you will be better prepared if supply problems arise and can react quickly to new challenges.

Conclusion: circular economy means independence and resilience
Nature shows us how cycles work: Nothing is lost, everything has its place. A tree loses its leaves, which decompose and return nutrients to the soil, making new life possible. These cycles make nature strong and resilient. Your company can develop precisely this strength through the circular economy. Keep your resources in circulation, maintain good relationships with your suppliers and focus on sustainability, and you will not only survive crises – you will emerge from them. in a competitive comparison emerge stronger than the competition.