The report targets the polyurethane (PU) hard foam value chain, focusing on sectors dealing with refrigeration appliances and construction insulation materials.

For cities and regions, the report offers practical value through its comprehensive mapping of stakeholders and analysis tools like interest-influence matrices and core-periphery maps.

These tools help identify key actors, their influence and motivation levels, and the current gaps in stakeholder engagement. It also provides valuable policy context and case-specific learnings that regions can adapt, including successful cooperation models and infrastructure setups in waste collection and processing.

These findings are highly relevant for Circular Solutions, particularly in the "map" and "design" stages of implementation. The stakeholder maps and matrices help identify potential collaborators and resistance points, while the documented best practices and gaps guide the co-design of inclusive, efficient circular models.

This report illustrates the use of two stakeholder analysis tools (the Interest-Influence Matrix and the Core-Periphery Map) within the context of a Hub for Circularity initiative.

Users are encouraged to begin with section 2.1, “Stakeholder Identification” (pages 10–31), which outlines the theoretical framework and approach for identifying stakeholders, including those shaping the regulatory and strategic context as well as those involved in material flows.

To apply the tools in practice, users should proceed to section 2.2, “Stakeholder Analysis” (pages 31–35), which provides practical guidance.