- The Reusify project aims to develop reusable packaging systems that help reduce the use of fossil-fuel-based materials for packaging and packaging waste.
- The 30-month co-innovation research project, with a budget of 2 million euros, will be mainly funded by Business Finland.
- A potential export market of 1.45 billion euros by 2035 was identified.
Interest in reusable packaging systems continues to grow. The University of Vaasa in Finland and VTT (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland) 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 tap into an export market of 1.45 billion euros 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.
Reusify targets a potential 1.45 billion euro opportunity
The thirty-month co-innovation research project 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 euros. Thanks to this initiative, Finnish companies in all key sectors could potentially reach an export market of 1.45 billion euros by 2035.
“The transition from single-use to reuse in packaging is a major shift toward a circular economy,” said Ali Harlin, VTT’s research professor. “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.”
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, for example, food and multiservice company Compass Group Finland (see list of all the partners below).
“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,” said Senior Researcher Kyösti Pennanen from the University of Vaasa. “Additionally, we will analyse consumer experience and acceptance.”
The research project is not just about developing reusable packaging systems. It’s about creating new competence and export potential for many Finnish companies. The opportunity spans from packaging raw materials and packaging itself to tracking, machinery, logistics, cleaning, filling, labeling, and software solutions.
“The project fits perfectly with the expertise profile of the Marketing and Consumer Research group at the University of Vaasa, particularly our strength in producing business concepts based on consumer understanding within business networks,” said Professor Hannu Makkonen, the project leader at the University of Vaasa. “We have had positive experiences with similar circular economy projects, especially regarding the sustainability of product packaging. Therefore, it is great to deepen this expertise and generate new knowledge to meet the development needs of society and businesses.”
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.
Reusify project funding and contributing companies and organizations include the following:
- Berner Oy
- Borealis Polymers Oy
- Cajo Technologies Oy
- Compass Group Finland Oy
- Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation ETL
- Kamu Collective Oy
- K Group
- Kiilto Oy
- Lassila & Tikanoja Environmental services
- The Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa
- Muovipoli Oy
- Oy Orthex Finland Ab
- The Finnish Grocery Trade Association PTY
- Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd
- Smart Set Oy
- S Group
- Producer responsibility organisation Sumi Oy
- Oy Tomra Ab
- Transbox Oy
- UPC Konsultointi Oy
- UPM Raflatac Oy
- University of Vaasa
- VTT
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
