Governance of the circular economy in the canned fish industry: A case study from Spain

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the first stage (2007-2015), most research projects were regional in nature and institutional relations were more limited.

“In the first stage, most of the research projects were regional in nature and institutional relations were more limited.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Canning companies in Spain are in different regions, but Galicia accounts for more than half of the sector.

“Canning companies in Spain are in different regions, but one of them accounts for more than half of the sector: Galicia.”

• cites ARDAN, 2021Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Galicia produces 85% of Spain's canning production and has 6 of the 10 largest companies in the canning sector.

“Galicia produces 85% of Spain ' s canning production and has 6 of the 10 largest companies in the canning sector (ARDAN, 2021).”

• cites ARDAN, 2021Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In 2005, A-C grouped 180 Spanish companies of the seafood processing and canning industrial sector, representing 60% of the national turnover of the fish processing and preserving industry.

“In 2005, A-C grouped 180 Spanish companies of the seafood processing and canning industrial sector, which represented 60% of the national turnover of the fish processing and preserving industry (UVIGO, 2006).”

• cites UVIGO, 2006Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

In 2014, the European Union published the first communication on circular economy and, a year later, an action plan was published.

“In 2014, the European Union published the first communication on circular economy and, a year later, an action plan was pub­ lished.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The number of sectors and sub-sectors related to these projects, the number of accreditations granted, participation in technological initiatives, and the number of A-C partners also increased.

“The number of sectors and sub-sectors related to these projects, the number of accreditations granted, the participation in technological initiatives and the number of A-C partners also increased.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The strategy focused on the circular economy was relaunched at the beginning of 2021, and focuses on the following lines of work: re-design of production processes, life cycle analysis, energy efficiency analysis, study of renewable energies, management of water resources, eco-design of processes, products and packaging.

“The strategy focused on the circular economy was relaunched at the beginning of 2021, and focuses on the following lines of work (ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2022):”

• cites ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2022Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In 2019, A-C had increased its transfer activities by participating in innovation clusters such as Clusaga and Bioga, had coordinated the Galician Intersectoral Technology Alliance (ATIGA), and had participated in the DATALIFE and GALICIAFOFHUB HUBs.

“In that year, 2019, A-C had increased its transfer activities by participating in innovation clusters such as Clusaga and Bioga, had coordinated the Galician Intersectoral Technology Alliance (ATIGA), and had participated in the DATALIFE and GALICIAFOFHUB HUBs.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The CYTMA required an investment of €0.98 million in new infrastructures and scientific-technological equipment, part of which was used for by-product valorization processes.

“The CYTMA required an investment of € 0.98 million in new infrastructures and scientific-technological equipment, part of which was used for by-product valorization processes.”

• cites ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2016bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

At the regional level, there is no uniformity, but Galicia has its own plan for the sector that pays special attention to the implementation of the circular economy.

“When we analyses the regional level, we see that there is no uniformity, but Galicia, the region where most of the Spanish canning companies are located, has its own plan for the sector that pays special attention to the implementation of the circular economy.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Galicia is the region where most of the Spanish canning companies are located.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Prior to 2008, most of the projects in the product valorization area had regional funding, a trend that changed after that date.

“In fact, prior to 2008, most of the projects in the product valorization area had regional funding, a trend that changed after that date (Table 1).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In 2015, the number of A-C members rose to 228.

“In 2015, the number of members rose to 228, technical assistance activities increased, the attraction of private funding (in 2015 it accounts for 82% of A-C ' s income), and since 2014 it has even coordinated the Official Master ' s Degree in Science and Technology for the Conservation of Fishery Products (ANFACO-CE­ COPESCA, 2015).”

• cites ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The inauguration of the CYTMA center coincides temporally with the regulatory change at European and national level.

“The inauguration of the CYMAT center takes place at the beginning of this second stage but also coincides temporally with the regulatory change at European and national level.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Packaging waste prevention measures have focused on reducing weight (60%), creating a new design (18%), reducing environmental impact (7%), reusing materials (5%), recycling (5%), and eliminating materials (5%).

“Therefore, packaging waste prevention measures have focused on reducing weight (60%), creating a new design (18%), reducing environmental impact (7%), reusing materials (5%), recycling (5%), and eliminating materials (5%).”

It may state two separate claims as one.

During the second stage, the number of relevant public projects increased in number and amount, as did the attraction of European funds, which is reflected in an increase in ANFACO-CECOPESCA (A-C) revenues.

“Thus, during this second stage, the number of relevant public projects increased, both in number and amount, as well as the attraction of European funds, which is reflected in an increase in A-C revenues (Table 3).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The extension of the A-C research center was completed in October 2015.

“Finally, three years later, the extension of that center was completed in October 2015.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In 2021, A-C took part in the BREF (Best Available Techniques Reference Document) revision process, whose recommendations focused on slaughterhouses and animal by-products.

“At the European level, in addition to expanding its participation in research projects and other fisheries/aquaculture forums, in 2021 it also took part in the BREF (Best Available Techniques Reference Document) revision process, whose recommendations focused on slaughterhouses and animal by-products.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Since 2013, new research projects on product valorization involve a larger number of partners and have national funding, as opposed to the prevalence of regional funding in previous years.

“Since 2013, new research projects on product valorization involve a larger number of partners and have national funding, as opposed to the prevalence of regional funding in previous years (Fig. 2).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In 2018, another €0.8 million investment was made in aquaculture infrastructures for CYMAT.

“In 2018, again, another € 0.8 million investment was made in aquaculture infrastructures for CYMAT.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

In 2015, private funding accounts for 82% of A-C's income.

“In 2015, the number of members rose to 228, technical assistance activities increased, the attraction of private funding (in 2015 it accounts for 82% of A-C ' s income), and since 2014 it has even coordinated the Official Master ' s Degree in Science and Technology for the Conservation of Fishery Products (ANFACO-CE­ COPESCA, 2015).”

• cites ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

A-C was able to consolidate, and increase, funding from projects directly related to the environment and seafood valorization.

“In addition, A-C was able to consolidate, and increase, funding from projects directly related to the environment and seafood valorization (Fig. 4).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

In Spain, the first regulation did not arrive until three years later, when the Pact for a Circular Economy was approved.

“In the case of Spain, the first regulation did not arrive until three years later, when the Pact for a Circular Economy was approved.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Since 2005, A-C has accumulated 8 projects in the product valorization area dedicated to the production of biomethane and the extraction of nutritional, pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds, to which it added studies on energy optimization and the production of new by-products derived from ingredients previously discarded in the production process.

“Since 2005, A-C has accumulated 8 projects in this area dedicated to the production of biomethane and the extraction of nutritional, pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds, to which it added studies on energy optimization and the production of new by-products derived from ingredients previously discarded in the production process.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Since 2014, A-C coordinated the Official Master's Degree in Science and Technology for the Conservation of Fishery Products.

“In 2015, the number of members rose to 228, technical assistance activities increased, the attraction of private funding (in 2015 it accounts for 82% of A-C ' s income), and since 2014 it has even coordinated the Official Master ' s Degree in Science and Technology for the Conservation of Fishery Products (ANFACO-CE­ COPESCA, 2015).”

• cites ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

It is necessary to create a governance framework that removes the institutional barriers created by the circular economy and breaks with the systemic relationships driven by traditional market economies.

“Indeed, it is necessary to create a governance framework that removes the institutional barriers created by the circular economy and breaks with the systemic relationships driven by traditional market econ­ omies (Corvellec et al., 2020).”

• cites Corvellec et al., 2020 sourceCheck pending

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

For more than a decade, the European Union has initiated an incremental governance process for the promotion of the circular economy.

“For more than a decade, the European Union has initiated an incremental governance process for the promotion of the circular economy (Kaplan, 2022).”

• cites Kaplan, 2022 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Although generation of biological waste is one of the major problems of the canning industry, the circular economy should be supported by other measures such as reduction of input consumption and recycling.

“However, although the generation of biological waste (heads, bones, viscera, etc.) is one of the major problems of the canning industry, the circular economy should be supported by other measures such as the reduction of input consumption and recycling (Featherstone, 2016).”

• cites Featherstone, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

Public administration facilitated innovation processes through the provision of funding or subsidies as, in the case of the circular economy, market failures derived from a sub-optimal level of market activity and products derived from this production model were detected.

“In addition, public administration facilitated innovation processes through the provision of funding or subsidies as, in the case of the circular economy, market failures derived from a sub-optimal level of market activity and products derived from this production model were detected (Harper, 2018).”

• cites Harper, 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

The actions to achieve full development of the circular economy in the canning sector mainly involve reducing packaging waste, commercial use of wastewater flows, and reduction of biological waste and its valorization through creation of new products.

“Thus, as stated by Cort ´ es et al. (2021), the actions to achieve the full development of the circular economy in the canning sector mainly involve: (i) reducing the production of waste derived from packaging; (ii) the com­ mercial use of wastewater flows; (iii) the reduction of biological waste and its valorization through the creation of new products.”

• cites Cortés et al., 2021 sourceCheck pending

It may state two separate claims as one.

Legal certainty in Spain made it unlikely that A-C's exclusive permits would be revoked, so the decision to invest in research facilities had a very low level of risk.

“Legal certainty in Spain made it unlikely that its exclusive permits would be revoked (which would imply a holdup problem), so the decision to invest in research facilities had a very low level of risk.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Spain is the leading country in production of canned fish in Europe, with 305,403 tons in 2022.

“Spain is the leading country in production, 305,403 tons in 2022, of canned fish in Europe.”

• cites ANFACO-CECOPESCA, 2023Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Spanish canning sector is undergoing a transition from the linear economy to the circular economy, playing a crucial role in the utilization of marine proteins and the reduction of waste from the processing of fish products.

“This sector is undergoing a transition from the linear economy to the circular economy, playing a crucial role in the utilization of marine proteins and the reduction of waste from the processing of fish products (Fern ´ andez-Gonz ´ alez et al., 2024).”

• cites Fernández-González et al., 2024 sourceCheck pending

Probably not a substantial claim.

The success and widespread implementation of circular economy practices in the canning industry depend on the incentives to which the actors are exposed.

“However, the success and widespread implementation of these practices will depend on the incentives to which the actors are exposed (Fischer and Pascucci, 2017).”

• cites Fischer and Pascucci, 2017 sourceCheck pending

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The government is one of the main agents in promoting innovation and the adoption of technological advances.

“Therefore, it is important to note that the government is one of the main agents in promoting innovation and the adoption of technological advances (Davidson and Potts, 2016).”

• cites Davidson and Potts, 2016 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

It may state two separate claims as one.

This status consolidated A-C's position in the agri-food market and boosted the expansion of its center.

“This status consolidated its position in the agri-food market and boosted the expansion of its center.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Membership growth has a distributive component.

“Membership growth has a distributive component.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

All these technological advances led to an increase in the services offered, adding the application of supercritical fluids for the extraction of high added value components, the microencapsulation of bioactive substances for their application in food or nutraceutical matrices, and the concentration of added value substances in liquid streams by means of ultra and nanofiltration processes.

“All these technological advances led to an increase in the services offered, adding the application of supercritical fluids for the extraction of high added value components, the microencapsulation of bioactive substances for their application in food or nutra­ ceutical matrices, and the concentration of added value substances in liquid streams by means of ultra and nanofiltration processes.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

This opens a new stage for the implementation of the circular economy in the Spanish canning sector.

“This opens a new stage for the implementation of the circular economy in the Spanish canning sector.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The creation of new memberships can be understood on the basis of the increase in the expected value of the company through the services offered by its association.

“The creation of new memberships can be understood on the basis of the increase in the expected value of the company through the services offered by its association.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

The analysis of this sector shows lessons for stakeholders and policymakers that can be extrapolated to other industries.

“The analysis of this sector shows valuable lessons for stakeholders and policymakers that can be extrapolated to other industries.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the case of the circular economy, since the European Union created formal, in some cases binding, rules, an institutional framework has materialized that is conducive to investing even more in circular economy processes.

“But in the case of the circular economy, since the European Union created formal, in some cases binding, rules, an institutional framework has materialized that is conducive to investing even more in circular economy processes.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The delay in the extension of the A-C research center did not help to boost this area of research.

“However, the delay in the extension of the A-C research center did not help to boost this area of research.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

In the canned fish sector, associationism is a key strategy that has allowed progress in the incorporation of new processes and new uses of intermediate and final products, and has also consolidated the survival of the sector.

“To this sector, associationism is a key strategy that has allowed progress in the incorporation of new processes and new uses of intermediate and final products, but has also consolidated the survival of the sector.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Following Kingston and Caballero's (2009) classification of theories of institutional change, the Spanish canning sector case is a collective choice scenario of institutional change, since there has been a change in regulations and institutions have been created through the centralized action of a political process.

“Following Kingston and Caballero (2009) classification of theories of institutional change, we find that there is a collective choice scenario of institutional change, since there has been a change in regulations and institutions have been created through the centralized action of a political process.”

• cites Kingston and Caballero (2009) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The risk involved in such an irreversible investment is low, as the possibility of rectifying or repealing the rules of the European Commission, the Spanish Government and the regional government of Galicia is very low.

“In this case, the risk involved in such an irreversible investment is low, as the possibility of rectifying or repealing the rules of the European Commission, the Spanish Government and the regional government of Galicia is very low.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The possibility of rectifying or repealing the rules of the European Commission, the Spanish Government and the regional government of Galicia is very low.

It may state two separate claims as one.

With a higher number of partners and resources, a certain vertical integration in terms of innovation in the circular economy can be observed: A-C participates in or leads projects, creates patents or other applicable results, and is an approved body by the public administration for different accreditations.

“In addition, with a higher number of partners and resources, a certain vertical integration in terms of innovation in the circular economy can be observed: A-C participates or leads projects, creates patents or other applicable results, and is even an approved body by the public administration for different accreditations.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Given these advantages, the chances of being successful in public calls for concessions or subsidies increased.

“Given these advantages, the chances of being successful in public calls for concessions or subsidies increased.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The increase in the number of A-C partners raises the degree of associationism in the sector, which reinforces A-C's position as an agent representing the interests of the sector.

“This last fact increases the degree of associationism in the sector, which reinforces A-C ' s position as an agent repre­ senting the interests of the sector.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The likelihood of the expected future scenario is very high, as the European institutional framework for the circular economy is solid.

“In this case, the likelihood of the expected future scenario is very high, as the European institutional framework for the circular economy is solid.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The European institutional framework for the circular economy is solid.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The likelihood of the expected future scenario is very high.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The motivation to build and expand new areas of the technology center is due to the positive expectations on the growth of the center given the research/certification concessions and the change of production context towards the circular economy.

“The motivation to build and expand new areas of the technology center is due to the positive expectations on the growth of the center given the research/certification concessions and the change of production context towards the circular economy.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The results of circular economy projects have led to the creation of new products that have helped companies reduce their dependence on certain raw materials and gain market share, or even enter emerging markets.

“This statement is based on the fact that the results of circular economy projects have led to the creation of new products that have helped companies to reduce their dependence on certain raw materials and to gain market share, or even enter emerging markets.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Being a member of A-F creates rights that increase the possibility of higher future profitability.

“Being a member of A-F creates rights that increase the possibility of higher future profitability.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

The joint work of business and political agents, so that there are no divergences in the creation of an appropriate institutional framework and its subsequent compliance, can strengthen the resilience of the sector while promoting social objectives such as sustainability.

“The joint work of these two spheres, so that there are no divergences in the creation of an appropriate institutional framework and its subsequent compliance, can strengthen the resilience of the sector while promoting social objectives, such as sustainability.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

In the canned fish industry, associationism has allowed the sector to become involved in facing the new paradigm of sustainable production while consolidating its position in the market.

“In the case of the canned fish industry, associationism has allowed the sector to become involved in facing the new paradigm of sustainable production while consolidating its position in the market.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The time horizon contemplated by the laws is long, so that a medium or long-term investment would be consistent over time, as there are no high discount rates.

“It is also important to note that the time horizon contemplated by the laws is long, so that a medium or long-term investment would be consistent over time, as there are no high discount rates.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The time horizon contemplated by the laws is long, so there are no high discount rates.

It may state two separate claims as one.

The 'equilibrium view' of institutions applies to this case: the need for a change in the production and consumption paradigm, such as the circular economy, changes the expectations of the agents, in this case A-C, who led initiatives even before there is a change in the formal rules.

“But also, here the theory of the “equilibrium view” of institutions applies, whereby the need for a change in the production and consumption paradigm, such as the circular economy, changes the expectations of the agents, in this case A-C, who led initiatives even before there is a change in the formal rules.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The distribution of profits from associationism may not be equitable and may encourage market concentration.

“However, the distribution of profits from this strategy may not be equitable and may encourage market concentration, so further study is necessary.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Overall, the evolution of scientific and technological activities was positive.

“Overall, the evolution of scientific and technological activities was positive.”