A new publication by Mikko Rahtola presents a comprehensive meta-analysis of the ABiCo project, bringing together research findings on biocomposites material development, processing, component design and system-level requirements. The analysis highlights that the greatest challenges – and opportunities – lie in the interactions between these factors rather than in individual material properties. It also explores the roles of circular design, recyclability, biodegradability, and AI-supported decision-making in advancing competitive and sustainable biocomposite applications.
The final seminar of the Advanced Biocomposites with Circular Design (ABiCo) project showcased how biocomposites can support the transition away from fossil-based materials while meeting demanding performance requirements. Coordinated by CLIC Innovation and co-funded by Business Finland, the project brought together research organisations and industrial partners to develop high-performance biocomposite solutions for long-life applications, with circular economy principles integrated throughout the value chain.
Biocomposites are emerging as promising materials for advancing the circular economy, but their successful adoption depends on product design from the very beginning. A recent article in MuoviPlast highlights the ABiCo project’s work on developing and evaluating bio-based composite materials, their recyclability, and their suitability for demanding applications. The project brings together researchers and industry partners to explore how circular design principles can help replace fossil-based materials while improving product sustainability throughout the entire life cycle. The full article is available in Finnish in the latest issue of MuoviPlast magazine.
Meet Marianne Nurminen, CEO of TK-Työkalutiimi Oy and an industry partner in the ABiCo project. With extensive expertise in tooling, manufacturability, and industrial production, TK-Työkalutiimi Oy supports the development of advanced bio-based and recycled composite materials for demanding industrial applications.
Meet Heikki Karppinen (CEO) and Mervi Puska (Head of R&D) from Tonester Ltd, one of the partners in the ABiCo project. Tonester contributes to the development of circular and resource-efficient DURAT solid surface products by identifying recycled plastics suitable for manufacturing and supporting the scale-up of sustainable production processes.
Our People behind ABiCo series highlights the experts whose work drives the project forward. The first feature introduces Tuomas Sormunen from VTT, whose research focuses on improving the circularity of materials through data and optical identification. In ABiCo, Tuomas investigates how machine‑learning–based optical spectroscopic methods can reveal key characteristics of biocomposites and support more accurate sorting in complex waste streams — an essential step toward higher‑value recycling.
The study provides a comprehensive review of 99 research articles and shows how LCA is currently used to evaluate circular strategies such as resource efficiency, waste minimization, and end‑of‑life planning. While sectors like construction and automotive demonstrate strong adoption of multiple circular approaches, other industries remain less explored. The review also identifies gaps in methods, data, and standardization—offering guidance for future research and policy development.
The Finnish circular‑economy trade media Uusiouutiset has published an article showcasing recent developments in biocomposites carried out within the ABiCo consortium. The piece highlights progress in improving fire resistance, weather durability, and recyclability, and illustrates how these advancements open new opportunities for biocomposites in more demanding applications.
The article includes insights from Kirsi Immonen, VTT and Kari Aaltonen, NG Nordic, who share both research and industry perspectives on the evolving performance requirements of biocomposite materials.
We will continue sharing ABiCo developments in the next issue of MuoviPlast, Finland’s leading plastics‑industry trade magazine, in April.
A new article by Amir Togiani and co-authors in the Journal of Cleaner Production explores how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) supports and validates Circular Design (CD) strategies across industries. The study highlights how LCA helps identify opportunities for resource efficiency, waste reduction, and end-of-life planning, while also pointing out underexplored areas such as product longevity and circular business models. With insights drawn from 99 studies, the article demonstrates LCA’s critical role in advancing sustainable innovation and guiding industries toward more effective circular solutions.
Advanced Biocomposites with Circular Design (ABiCo) project brings together a consortium of five leading Finnish research institutions and multiple company partners representing key industries and end-use application areas. The ABiCo project was set up to address a specific industry challenge as companies have been increasingly searching for more sustainable alternatives to plastics and other fossil-based composite materials, which are still largely dominating the current composite materials landscape.