Catena-D

Purpose and goal:

This project aims to validate the concept of digital threads on the circular economy (CE) context, together with artificial intelligence (AI) applied to big data systemically with a circular business model. The goal is to deliver a prototype of digital threads built upon AI applied to the CE context. Strategic guidance, based on the prototype, with a product/data lifecycle and a value chain, maintaining a systems perspective, will be delivered for implementing circular business models that close, narrow, or slow material flows in the Swedish manufacturing industry.

Expected results and effects:

Foundational technical solutions will be developed for an information infrastructure that enables efficient access to needed data and information originating from huge amounts of data (to be) stored within a lifecycle stage. Thereby, various organizations will be helped to communicate and collaborate with each other for a more circular economy with regard to: 1. lifecycle material efficiency, 2. developed prerequisites for circular businesses, and 3. actor constellation to realize the solution (inter)nationally including contributions to international standards.

Approach and implementation:

Two large manufacturing firms, Volvo Construction Equipment and Bosch Thermoteknik, own the need and provide cases that complementarily cover a wide range of a product lifecycle, from design and production to use, service, and maintenance. A small software tech firm, Addiva, will provide practical solutions. Linköping University will be the coordinator and provide scientific knowledge and solutions on a CE. Mälardalen University will contribute through their expertise in AI.