Themes & Platforms

The RVRC is structured around five delivery platforms, each tackling a core theme required to enable value retention across high-integrity sectors. Together, they bring technical, commercial, policy and cultural change into one joined-up programme. 

Platform 1: Design, materials and manufacturing 

Led by: National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) 

This platform focuses on the physical and digital technologies needed to remanufacture, repair, and design more circular products. Activities include:

  • Advanced remanufacturing such as directed energy deposition (DED), cold spray and FAST sintering.
  • Circular product design, including for disassembly, reuse and inspection.
  • Composite material recycling to address complex multi-material products.
  • Digital product passport frameworks, enabling full lifecycle traceability.

This platform also includes cross-cutting capabilities in non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection.

Platform 2: Risk-informed decision making and standards 

Led by: University of Strathclyde – Department of Management Science 

Making informed decisions under uncertainty is crucial for circular adoption. This platform provides:

  • Mathematical modelling and decision tools for evaluating risks and trade-offs.
  • Standardisation efforts, aligning circular practices with sector-specific requirements.
  • Integration of testing and measurement to support regulatory confidence in reused or remanufactured components.

The platform supports high-integrity sectors in navigating complex regulatory, operational and economic risk environments. 

Platform 3: Circular business models and supply chains 

Led by: University of Exeter 

This platform investigates how businesses can capture and share value in circular systems. Work includes:

  • Identifying effective business model archetypes specific to high-integrity sectors.
  • Circular supply chain reconfiguration for reuse, refurbishment and aftermarket services.
  • Use of AI and data observatories to track material flows and inform decision making. 

The platform builds on over a decade of research into circular economy implementation and supply chain innovation.

Platform 4: Policy, culture and skills 

Led by: National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) 

This platform ensures that circular innovation is supported by the right workforce capabilities, regulatory conditions and cultural mindset. It focuses on:

  • Skills development, including upskilling and reskilling for remanufacture, repair and reuse.
  • Industry culture change, encouraging widespread adoption of circular practices.
  • Policy alignment and advocacy, working with government and standards bodies to embed circularity in legislation and regulation (e.g. Circular Economy Act, ESPR, ISO/BSI initiatives).

This platform helps bridge the gap between innovation and real-world uptake by preparing people and policies for a circular future. 

Platform 5: Commercialisation and investment 

Led by: University of Strathclyde – Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship 

Circular innovation must translate into business impact. This platform provides:

  • Access to finance, IP support and investment readiness programmes.
  • Accelerator opportunities and routes to market for circular technologies and ventures.
  • Connection to existing entrepreneurship ecosystems, including Strathclyde Inspire.

The platform supports the development of viable business cases and scalable commercial pathways for circular innovation.