1. Background and issues

In recent years, industries have been faced with a number of problems linked to product obsolescence. Today's consumption patterns mean that products have shorter and shorter lifespans, and are replaced by new products that require the use of raw materials. The question of raw materials supply is linked, on the one hand, to environmental issues and, on the other, to geopolitical issues. As far as environmental issues are concerned, numerous socio-economic studies show that the deterioration of our environment, as well as climate change, are largely due to our consumption patterns. From a societal point of view, behavioral changes in consumption and usage patterns would have to be drastic to have a rapid and positive impact on the environment, and cannot therefore be the only lever for action. As far as geopolitical issues are concerned, political conflicts (for example, conflicts between...