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Ecological Innovations Supporting Sustainable Development: The Case of the Polish Tire Industry

Author

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  • Agnieszka Nowaczek

    (Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wybickiego 7, 31-261 Kraków, Poland)

  • Zygmunt Kowalski

    (Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wybickiego 7, 31-261 Kraków, Poland)

  • Joanna Kulczycka

    (Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Gramatyka 10, 30-067 Kraków, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Makara

    (Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Kraków, Poland)

Abstract

Valuable eco-innovations are emerging through increasingly close collaboration between the scientific community, industry, the energy sector, and public institutions supporting research, development, and the commercialization of new technologies that address specific market needs. Today, the implementation of eco-innovations is a key factor across many sectors and constitutes a significant barrier to market entry. This study identifies the key drivers of the implementation of eco-innovation in the Polish tire industry, which ranks among the lowest in the EU in terms of the adoption of eco-innovation. Legal regulations—particularly those related to the circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)—emerged as the strongest drivers, as indicated by over 60% of the companies surveyed. Financial support and incentives, such as tax relief, were emphasized by 70% of respondents as crucial for accelerating eco-innovation. This study also highlights significant barriers, including limited access to capital (cited by 65% of respondents) and the high costs associated with eco-innovative methods. Green public procurement and the certification status were recognized as important, albeit less impactful, factors. Expert interviews confirm these findings, underscoring the need for improved public funding mechanisms and stronger legislative support to overcome the current stagnation. This research concludes that without such measures, progress in eco-innovation within the sector may remain slow, thereby hindering the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Nowaczek & Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Makara, 2025. "Ecological Innovations Supporting Sustainable Development: The Case of the Polish Tire Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7210-:d:1721000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Marcin Banach & Agnieszka Makara, 2023. "A Complex Circular-Economy Quality Indicator for Assessing Production Systems at the Micro Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Snyder, Hannah, 2019. "Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 333-339.
    3. Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Makara & Giovanni Mondello & Roberta Salomone, 2023. "Industrial Symbiosis for Sustainable Management of Meat Waste: The Case of Śmiłowo Eco-Industrial Park, Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    5. Agnieszka Nowaczek & Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Makara, 2024. "Determinants of the Implementation of a Circular Economy Model in the Tire Sector in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-20, December.
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