Circular Business Models for Digital Technologies in the Built Environment

Business model innovation enabled by novel digital technologies can accelerate the impact and upscaling of the circular economy in the built environment. Digital technologies not only enable highly impactful new business models but also enable innovation of existing business models. Considering the disruptive power of digital technologies, rethinking business models in the construction sector for the circular economy is vital to manage risks and capture opportunities. This chapter presents 12 real-life cases of emerging business models enabled by digital technologies that successfully narrow, slow, close, or regenerate resource loops in the construction sector. Cases are analysed regarding how they create, deliver, and capture value and how they enable circularity. Findings present different types of business models for digital technologies prevalent for narrowing, closing, slowing, and regenerating resource loops and that enabling capabilities for circularity, such as tracking, monitoring, control, optimisation, design evolution, and information exchange, are at the core of their value propositions. Industry practitioners can use findings to familiarise themselves with emerging business models and innovation opportunities.