The Circularity of Technical Plastics and Composites spearhead addresses material streams that are critical to industrial competitiveness yet remain among the most challenging for circularity. These include plastics and composites used in construction, electronics, automotive, and bulky industrial products. Many of these applications are characterised by long product lifespans, heterogeneity of materials, and the presence of additives or legacy substances that hinder safe recycling.
The spearhead is guided by the principle of designing for extended lifecycles. This includes strategies for reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling, as well as improved design practices that enable disassembly and material recovery. Developing viable solutions for these material streams is essential for meeting EU-level objectives under the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Waste Framework Directive, which increasingly emphasise durability, repairability, and recyclability across sectors. For Finland, the spearhead provides an opportunity to build on existing industrial strengths in construction, manufacturing, and advanced materials, while also addressing upcoming obligations for producer responsibility schemes in areas such as automotive and electronics.
Through this spearhead, Finland can position itself as a European leader in circular solutions for technical plastics and composites. Extending lifecycles in these material streams not only reduces environmental impacts and resource dependency but also opens new export opportunities in sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics, and renewable energy.
