VTT and the University of Vaasa have initiated an extensive research project, in collaboration with 21 stakeholder organizations, to pioneer the development of reusable packaging systems in Finland. This initiative, aimed at accelerating packaging reuse, could potentially tap into an export market of €1.45 billion by 2035.
Due to the growing consumption of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food take-away, the demand for single-use packaging has increased, leading to global waste management challenges. According to Eurostat, between 2009 and 2020, the total quantity of packaging waste generated in the EU rose by 20%, now 80 million tons and 178 kg per EU citizen. Without a drastic change, the amount of packaging waste will increase by a further 19% by the year 2030.
The thirty-month co-innovation research project named Reusify is mainly funded by Business Finland. It aims to develop reusable packaging systems and help reduce the use of packaging materials, fossil-based materials for packaging, and packaging waste. The total budget of the project is roughly €2 million.
“The transition from single-use to reuse in packaging is a major shift toward a circular economy. It demands a systemic, multi-level perspective on business practices that is only possible with a robust partnership model that engages the entire value chain, from package producers to logistics, retail, maintaining packages, and waste management,” says Ali Harlin, VTT’s research professor.
The consortium brings together major players such as Finland’s leading retail giants S Group and K Group, plastic companies Borealis and Orthex, waste management and treatment specialist organizations such as Lassila & Tikanoja, and food and multi-service company Compass Group Finland. In addition to Sumi OY, these significant entities contribute to the project’s comprehensive approach.
“The research will explore various reuse dimensions, including the ecosystems and business models of reuse, the design of reuse systems, circular packaging solutions, and the sustainability scenarios and trade-offs. Additionally, we will also analyze consumer experience and acceptance,” says Senior researcher Kyösti Pennanen from the University of Vaasa.
The research project is not just about developing reusable packaging systems. It’s about creating new competence and export potential for a wide range of Finnish industry actors, from packaging raw materials and packaging itself to tracking, machinery, logistics, cleaning, filling, labeling, and software solutions.
The solutions developed in the project are expected to be commercialized within approximately ten years, potentially bringing over a billion euros in export revenue to Finland. The Reusify project interlinks to Borealis SPIRIT Veturi-program. It also has six parallel projects that examine the critical components of the future value chain for a reusable packaging system in Finland.
For more information and a list of all participants and funding organizations, click here.