79% of manufacturing executives say circularity creates significant value, yet only a fifth have built circular supply chains at scale - WEF and Bain & Co report

BOSTON, Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Manufacturing executives say circularity is rising in importance in their profitable growth strategies, but their supply chain capabilities are preventing them from reaping all expected benefits, according to a new report released today by Bain & Company, the World Economic Forum and the University of Cambridge.

In a global survey of 491 executives across 10 manufacturing-centric industries, 79% of respondents say circularity is crucial for their business today, yet only 20% consider their circular supply chain capabilities fit for purpose. The findings highlight the urgency – and opportunity – for companies to close this execution gap and scale circular operations that drive growth, resilience and profitability.

Additionally, 95% of executives said circularity will be important to their organizations within three years, while over two-thirds rate it as "very important". Eighty percent of respondents expect circular-revenue growth to exceed company averages, while 70% anticipate higher margin growth from circular activities than from linear ones. These results reinforce that circularity is becoming a decisive factor for competitive advantage, for navigating increasingly critical resource challenges, and for lifelong customer intimacy.

"The question is no longer whether circularity matters but how it can be implemented at scale," said Xavier Houot, partner in the Sustainability & Responsibility practice at Bain & Company. "For business leaders, that means moving beyond incremental initiatives to embed circularity at the heart of strategy, operations and customer engagement."

According to the report, barriers to scaling circular supply chains fall into five main categories:

To overcome these challenges, the report outlines three strategic steps leading companies adopt for scaling circular supply chains:

"Businesses increasingly see the economic potential of circularity, but scaling their supply chains remains complex. Those that set clear priorities and build the right design can turn circularity into a source of growth and resilience," concluded Hernán Sáenz, senior partner and chairman of Bain's Performance Improvement practice.

Media contacts: Dan Pinkney (Boston) — [email protected]  Gary Duncan (London) — [email protected]Ann Lee (Singapore) — [email protected]

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SOURCE Bain & Company