Renewal of manufacturing
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Internationella miljöinstitutet |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 999 995 |
| Project duration | January 2015 - March 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The aim to deliver better understanding of the potential of circular economy for sustainable renewal of manufacturing in bio-based industries with particular focus on novel value chains was met through analysis and description of three case studies. The aim of providing novel insights to the role of innovation policies in facilitating the shift towards sustainable, circular bioeconomy in Finland and Sweden was fulfilled through analysis of current policies and policy recommendations supporting renewal of manufacturing in the wood based industries towards the desired direction.
Expected results and effects
Both Finnish and Swedish definitions of bioeconomy emphasize overall sustainability, which is not always easy to achieve in wood based products and processes. Any renewal of manufacturing should ensure sustainability of the whole bioeconomy for the benefit of actors with competitive global edge. Policies for the bio- and circular economy are loosely connected. Renewal towards a circular bioeconomy is primarily hampered by two missing elements: products not designed for a circular economy, and material collectors do not cooperate with the potential users of recovered materials.
Planned approach and implementation
Changes in socio-technical systems analysed with multi-level perspective and technical innovation systems proved to be fruitful and rewarding approaches. The method specified in the project application, including interviews and experiences from innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs in businesses as well as environmental impact analysis, policy analysis, etc. turned out to generate useful data and was thus followed throughout the project. Collected data could be reflected in the theoretical framework and considered to be a solid basis for the analysis.