in content lists or on the content page.Technology industry growth from a circular economy
We are working with growth companies in the technology industry and providing them with the tools to help their businesses make the transition to the circular economy.
To succeed, Finnish industrial companies need to move to a new, higher level of production: a circular economy. The circular economy reaches beyond the traditional considerations of material efficiency, recycling or the use of side streams. It revolutionises companies’ services and funding solutions, as well as their business models, while strengthening the ecosystems between industries and companies.
This project focuses on training manufacturing companies in the technology industry in Finland. We need co-operation between leading circular economy experts and the technology industry to build tools that companies can use to help their businesses make the transition to a circular economy. The joint project between Sitra and the Technology Industries of Finland is a catalyst for new investments and innovations for companies to implement.
We help growth-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises discover international competitiveness in the operating models provided by a circular economy. The aim is to get Finnish companies in the technology industry to operate according to the models of a circular economy while simultaneously creating sustainable growth and jobs in Finland. The project is implementing the Finnish Action Plan for a Circular Economy, devised by the Finnish Government and Sitra.
What do we do?
The project will progress in stages:
- mapping the status of the companies in the technology industry and their opportunities within the circular economy;
- assessing the benefits of and requirements for a circular economy in the manufacturing industry;
- formulating tools for making the transition to a circular economy; and
- starting pilot schemes embracing the principles of a circular economy.
We will be finding out how companies in the technology industry have already moved to a circular economy in Finland and seeing how companies can make this transition and generate wide-ranging business benefits. We will be demonstrating how industrial companies can create a competitive advantage and benefits from new circular economy business models. In particular, we will be focusing on service businesses that use circular economy models, using the concept of “X as a service”.
Leading circular economy experts will be advising companies. We will be developing practical circular economy tools to enable companies to make a controlled transition to these new business models. In addition to these tools, companies will also be developing global networks and acquiring development partners with whom they can start improving and implementing their new business models. The tools, information and benefits will also be available, for free, to all Finnish companies.
We have organised workshops focusing on five areas: the maritime industry; energy; transport and logistics; machines and devices; and all related service providers, developers, sponsors and research institutes in the field of business and technology. The aim was to start pilots with 10 companies to develop their process, technology, product or business model to match the principles of a circular economy.
We will next organise international workshops to Nordic companies operating in the manufacturing industry. The workshops will focus on four areas: energy; machines and devices and the related service providers; transport and logistics; and the maritime industry. The objective is to strengthen cooperation between companies and enhance business growth based on the circular economy. Circular economy pilots will also be launched in spring 2020.
Who is participating?
The project is being implemented through co-operation between Sitra and the Technology Industries of Finland. The research is being produced by Accenture Oy, whose leading experts will also run the workshops and develop tools for the companies’ use.
The second phase of the project will be implemented by Sitra, Nordic Innovation and Accenture Oy in the Nordic Countries.
What has been achieved?
The research started in April 2018. Currently, we are looking for technology companies willing to join the network. The co-operation was launched at an event organised on 24 April 2018. The results of and tools developed by the research were published in autumn 2018 and presented at events organised all over Finland in September and October.
The circular economy tools will next be expanded for the use of Nordic companies in the manufacturing industry. In the workshops, Nordic companies will have the opportunity to find new partnerships and receive expert coaching for developing their businesses to help them transition to the circular economy. In this autumn’s workshops, companies will also develop circular economy pilots which are due to be launched in spring 2020. The language of the workshops is English.
To register your company for the workshops, send an email in English to info@nordiccircularindustries.com or contact Jyri Arponen at Sitra.
PUBLICATIONS
Tools for you
CONTACT US
How can we help you?
What is it about?