Open AccessSecondary Use of Raw Materials in Food Sector Enterprises in Poland
Author(s) -
Anna Zdyb
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.18690/978-961-286-464-4.8
Subject(s) - reuse , raw material , production (economics) , business , closing (real estate) , industrial organization , circular economy , food industry , commerce , environmental economics , engineering , waste management , economics , finance , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry , biology , political science , law , macroeconomics
Circular economy (CE) nowadays has a significant impact on economic development. Reusing by-products is one of the key components of the CE paradigm, particularly important in industries using biological raw materials for production. This subject is widely discussed in many publications in the field of economics, while the practical use is scarcely described. The aim of the study was to verify whether companies operating on the Polish food industry market are re-using by-products for further production, what are the benefits of such an approach and whether if it’s time for a new way of managing by-products. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted to verify opinions about the cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of enterprises in terms of reusing by-products and closing loop in production. The study covered 100 food industry companies. The most important conclusions are: (1) 92% of companies reuse by-products, (2) CE principles contribute to the improvement of competitiveness and cost-effectiveness, (3) 21% of companies are planning investments that will enable "closing the loop". There are processes in the analyzed sector that indicates increasing interest in implementing the principles of the CE by production companies.