Aalto University advances business opportunities in the circular economy of plastics
Execution time 2023–2026
At Aalto University, our project explores the business opportunities and challenges of the circular economy. We map tools and strategies to support the sustainable use, manufacturing and recycling of plastics. We offer companies the opportunity to use these tools in various workshops.
In particular, we study the transition from simpler value chains to circular economy and complex networks. We look carefully at the importance of and opportunities for cooperation between companies. We examine the drivers and obstacles of the circular economy extensively from different perspectives.
The findings presented are based on high-quality academic research. We collect observations and experiences from representatives of PlastLIFE participants and different stakeholders. We mirror these results to other industries and previous academic research.
An important part of the work is the “Ecosystem Design Toolkit”. This consists of a number of different, easily accessible exercises that can be used to map out opportunities for ecosystem-based business. Companies will be guided in the use of the toolkit in the workshops.
Aalto University: Toolkit for innovation and business model development for sustainable plastics
Co-operates with WP4 and WP5
- Analysis of innovation challenges in the plastics value chain
- The first deliverable is a concise report on innovation management challenges for sustainable plastics, and an initial outline of the toolkit based on previous research and synthesis of interviews.
- Schedule: 01/2023-08/2023.
- Development of sustainable innovation management toolkit
- The outcomes of the analysis of innovation challenges served as a basis for the development of our second deliverable: a toolkit for managing innovation and business development for sustainable plastics solutions.
- Collaboration with partner(s) was organized through interviews and workshops. The workshops focused on key parts of the development and commercialization process, and created tools (e.g., process models, checklists, practices for partner screening and collaboration) that aided the organization in the assessment of sustainable material options, integration of sustainability objectives in product development processes, and adjustment of business model elements in support of commercialization.
- Schedule: 06/2023-04/2024.
- Refining and disseminating the innovation management toolkit (Ecosystem Design Toolkit)
- The developed toolkit will be further refined through a series of workshops organized in collaboration with Muovipoli.
- Elements of the toolkit will be used as basis in thematic workshops, which will generate inputs for the initial formulation and continuing refinement of the toolkit based on the perspectives of different actors. Opportunities for one-on-one workshops with interested organizations will be offered to support the utilization of the toolkit in companies’ innovation activities.
- Schedule: 01/2024-12/2024.
The finished deliverable
- The Innovation Toolkit developed by Aalto University in the PlastLIFE project (pdf, in Finnish)
Project news
More information
- Postdoctoral Researcher Esko Hakanen, Aalto University, tel. +358 50 321 2105, esko.hakanen@aalto.fi
