HIUKKA 2.0 - Hius- ja muu orgaaninen kuitu muovin korvaajana

The circular economy based on material cycles is already estimated to account for about five percent of Finland's gross domestic product. At the forefront of Päijät-Häme's regional strategy are the circular economy and design, which are complemented in this project with a business perspective to ensure sustainable economic sustainability. The City of Lahti's strategy until 2030 sets the goal of providing an internationally attractive operating environment for the development of smart and sustainable solutions to enable business. This project focuses on the development of business know-how in a circular economy that supports the pillars of sustainable development, i.e. the economic, ecological, and social aspects.



The aim of the project is to study possibilities of organic fibers in replacing plastic-based materials, and improve the understanding and knowledge of the actors in the region about business in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The project focuses on the examination of existing business models (incl. product design and marketing communications) and the regional peer review of operations, the purpose of which is to identify Päijät-Häme's regional strengths and develop them into a competitive advantage nationally and internationally. In addition, efforts will be made to open up the prospect of recovering the fraction currently treated as waste in accordance with the principles of the circular economy by further processing and using it as a material in new product innovations. New skills are a good basis for new business and the creation of new jobs.



Together with partner company three product development projects will be implemented, in which solutions for hair and hair fibers will be developed together with water supply, water purification and landscaping units of the city of Lahti. Also, the project maps existing circular economy business models, review of suitability in Päijät-Häme, and benchmarking with Turku area, which has established a network of over 700 operators based on circular economy. This will be followed by the planning of business training for regional actors in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and circular economy. By the end of the project, a report on circular economy business models in a regional context and an article on the development of a sustainable business in a circular economy in cooperation between a company, an educational organization and the public sector will be published.



Project improves ecological and economic sustainability in a profound manner as described above. It also has an impact on social and cultural sustainability and equality by enhancing the possibilities of female lead companies to emphasize their social status with their ecological impact, allowing all sources of hair fibers participate to the process of replacing plastic fibers, and increasing environmental capabilities.
Project period
-
Project state
Finished
Project area
National
Project funding
ERDF 2014-2020
LAB role
Lead partner
Unit
Institute of Design and Fine Arts
Project focus area
Design
Sustainable Development Goals
Project managers