Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation
Abstract This paper explores the development of a collaborative and customer-centric business model for sustainable innovation in rare earth magnet recycling. Rare earth elements have become crucial to various electronics and renewable energy systems. Due to their finite nature and the supply risk t...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00480-1 |
| _version_ | 1826585558533537792 |
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| author | Chinenye Chinwego Rosanna Garcia Daniel McArthur Sehar Evan MacGregor Steven Tate Kenneth Savage Thaddaeus Zuber Benjamin Sseruwagi Daniel Dietrich Emmanuel Opoku David Smith Adam Powell Brajendra Mishra |
| author_facet | Chinenye Chinwego Rosanna Garcia Daniel McArthur Sehar Evan MacGregor Steven Tate Kenneth Savage Thaddaeus Zuber Benjamin Sseruwagi Daniel Dietrich Emmanuel Opoku David Smith Adam Powell Brajendra Mishra |
| author_sort | Chinenye Chinwego |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This paper explores the development of a collaborative and customer-centric business model for sustainable innovation in rare earth magnet recycling. Rare earth elements have become crucial to various electronics and renewable energy systems. Due to their finite nature and the supply risk they pose as they are available in a few countries, recycling these magnets is becoming increasingly important as demand increases. This study highlights the importance of developing business models that prioritize resource sufficiency, economic viability and environmental conservation. It emphasizes customer discovery, a critical component in understanding market needs and consumer behavior. Through detailed case studies as part of the NSF I-Corps program, this paper presents evidence from over 130 stakeholder interviews, completed with individuals from rare earth magnet companies, rare earth magnet recycling companies, National laboratories, metal alloy companies, and metal recycling companies. These case studies highlight best practices, challenges, and lessons learned, providing a comprehensive blueprint for other businesses to follow. In addition, this paper explores policy implications, advocating for regulatory frameworks that support sustainable practices and incentivize recycling initiatives. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the circular economy by demonstrating how sufficiency-driven business models can lead to sustainable growth and resilience in the rare earth recycling industry. By integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery, businesses can innovate effectively, ensuring the sustainability of both their operations and the environment. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-14T15:55:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-de362423a56f4941b3889f3a1affec4d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2192-5372 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-14T15:55:33Z |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| spelling | doaj.art-de362423a56f4941b3889f3a1affec4d2025-02-23T12:49:11ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship2192-53722025-02-0114112010.1186/s13731-025-00480-1Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovationChinenye Chinwego0Rosanna Garcia1Daniel McArthur Sehar2Evan MacGregor3Steven Tate4Kenneth Savage5Thaddaeus Zuber6Benjamin Sseruwagi7Daniel Dietrich8Emmanuel Opoku9David Smith10Adam Powell11Brajendra Mishra12Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe Business School, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteNewagen Group LLCDepartment of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteAbstract This paper explores the development of a collaborative and customer-centric business model for sustainable innovation in rare earth magnet recycling. Rare earth elements have become crucial to various electronics and renewable energy systems. Due to their finite nature and the supply risk they pose as they are available in a few countries, recycling these magnets is becoming increasingly important as demand increases. This study highlights the importance of developing business models that prioritize resource sufficiency, economic viability and environmental conservation. It emphasizes customer discovery, a critical component in understanding market needs and consumer behavior. Through detailed case studies as part of the NSF I-Corps program, this paper presents evidence from over 130 stakeholder interviews, completed with individuals from rare earth magnet companies, rare earth magnet recycling companies, National laboratories, metal alloy companies, and metal recycling companies. These case studies highlight best practices, challenges, and lessons learned, providing a comprehensive blueprint for other businesses to follow. In addition, this paper explores policy implications, advocating for regulatory frameworks that support sustainable practices and incentivize recycling initiatives. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the circular economy by demonstrating how sufficiency-driven business models can lead to sustainable growth and resilience in the rare earth recycling industry. By integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery, businesses can innovate effectively, ensuring the sustainability of both their operations and the environment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00480-1Rare earth magnetsSustainable innovationRecyclingCustomer discoveryEnvironmental conservation |
| spellingShingle | Chinenye Chinwego Rosanna Garcia Daniel McArthur Sehar Evan MacGregor Steven Tate Kenneth Savage Thaddaeus Zuber Benjamin Sseruwagi Daniel Dietrich Emmanuel Opoku David Smith Adam Powell Brajendra Mishra Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Rare earth magnets Sustainable innovation Recycling Customer discovery Environmental conservation |
| title | Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation |
| title_full | Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation |
| title_fullStr | Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation |
| title_short | Sufficiency-driven business models for rare earth recycling: integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation |
| title_sort | sufficiency driven business models for rare earth recycling integrating stakeholder collaboration and customer discovery for sustainable innovation |
| topic | Rare earth magnets Sustainable innovation Recycling Customer discovery Environmental conservation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00480-1 |
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