Analysis of the impact of eco-design on the circular economy: a bibliometric analysis of publications in Spain

Abstract

“Circular economy” and “eco-design” are concepts that people not only understand but also demand. The scarcity of resources and their fluctuating cost forces us to transform linear production systems into circular ones, which implies the entire life cycle of the product. This study arises from this fact, to analyze the impact of eco-design on the circular economy. We developed a bibliometric analysis in the research community of Spain, analyzing the frequencies, typology, and evolution of knowledge. We define a conceptual framework of the two concepts, to reaffirm our results after applying the analysis in a very deep way. We carefully reviewed 86 articles that adhered to the defined variables. Both quantitative and co-occurrence analyses have been performed. This makes it possible to differentiate three clear fields of knowledge – the cradle-to-grave approach, energy efficiency and emission reduction, and the circular economy and eco-design group. The results are quite clear in the Spanish sphere, and it can be stated that there has been instability until 2016, that is, until the action of the European Commission. There are collaboration networks with other countries. The co-occurrence analysis indicates that, until 2016, these terms have given way to those of “circular economy” and “climate change,” without neglecting “eco-design,” as a tool for action, that, although it was published before, it is shown that they are complementary.