The collaborative project KryPSS—Circular Hygiene Product-Service System—is researching the transformation of traditional linear value chains into circular business models based on digitized product-service systems. KryPSS employs an integrated approach that combines technical, organizational, and strategic elements.

This is because the development and implementation of circular business models often present SMEs, in particular, with the difficult challenges of a profound transformation. Approaches to date have been fragmented and lack a systemic approach. So far, companies have primarily implemented technically oriented measures. There is a lack of holistic approaches that systematically link different circular strategies, thereby enabling a tailored circular realignment of business models. An integrated approach tailored to the needs of SMEs offers the opportunity to develop new solutions for circular products, reduce resource consumption, prevent supply bottlenecks, and achieve positive environmental impacts.

This research and development project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) as part of the program “The Future of Value Creation—Research on Production, Services, and Work” and is managed by the Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (PTKA). The authors are responsible for the content of this publication.