Product-Service System Innovation in Urban Mining-A case study with Volvo CE

Abstract: Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of construction machines. Now they want to access a sustainability-focused mining field – urban mining. This study is to find a solution helping Volvo CE quickly access to urban mining with a Product-Service System (PSS) development concept. To do this, the authors completed surveys and several interviews with construction companies, to understand the user and customer needs. The authors also go through a functional analysis on a new prototype of their collaboration partner - Stanford University. The result of this thesis is a PSS concept for urban mining, developed with machine selection guidelines combined with Life Cycle Assessment, and Quality Function Deployment. Recommendations include: 1) Improve the communication between Volvo CE and their Customers. 2) Adding more visible services. 3) Adding multiple business solutions provide to customers. 4) Understanding relevant stakeholders in urban mining 5) Expand research on urban mining.