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Bio-based Products and Materials

VISION: Finland as the global leader in developing and supplying advanced bio-based solutions

  • Bio-based consumer products and packaging: Position as a main supplier of bio-based and circular consumer packaging materials and long-lasting products, enabling the phase-out of commodity plastics and increasing the use of circular materials in the global FMCG market
  • Circular textile fibers: Become a leading supplier of bio- or waste-based, circular textile fibers to global fashion brands, later moving further in value chain to fiber processing
  • Advanced biomaterials for automotive and aviation: Be a leading supplier of advanced, lightweight biomaterials for global vehicle and airplane production, replacing engineering plastics in the markets
  • Bio-based chemicals: Become a pioneering supplier of advanced bio-based alternatives for fossil-based chemicals e.g., in global resins, cosmetics, and pharma markets

“The forest industry already has the most significant sustainable material flows, but we need to increasingly shift towards higher value-add products and materials, especially now with biodiversity loss and scarcity of raw materials.”
—Antti Arasto, Vice President, VTT

SIGNIFICANT LEAP IN TERMS OF EXPORT AND HANDPRINT

Potential to abate 5%-10% of global GHG emissions by shifting to bio-based materials.

>€1 trillion projected global market by 2030 that needs sustainable alternative materials (~€800 billion commodity plastics, ~€100 billion engineering plastics, ~€100 billion textiles).

By 2035, the overall export potential of bio-based and circular products and materials is between €10 billion and €13 billion. The green alternatives are projected to grow at a 6%-12% CAGR up to 2035 (vs. conventional only 1%-4%).

As replacements for emission-intensive and non-degradable materials and products in many industries, these products will have a positive carbon handprint and environmental impact. For example, sustainable textile fibers have a carbon handprint of ~3.3 kg CO2 per kg of textile fiber compared to conventional cotton fibers.

LASTING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Finland has a lasting right-to-win as one of the world's most forested (~75% of land area) countries (assuming logging is done within set boundaries, to retain forests' role as carbon sinks.)

ECOSYSTEM PLAYERS

The Moonshot forms a foundation for bio-based and circular products and materials, bringing together players producing specialized bio-based products and materials for different industries.

HOW COULD GOVERNMENT CATALYZE

  1. Accelerate transition to advanced bio-based materials and higher value-add products through e.g., incentives, securing forest industry's future competitiveness
  2. Speed up innovation of high-tech solutions from wood and other bio-based materials through collaborative innovation programs among the ecosystem players (incl. corporate, academic, and public institutions)
  3. Position Finland as the global R&D hub for bio-based innovations, attracting foreign investment and leading capabilities, e.g., through facilitated pilot and demonstration processes
  4. Revise higher-level education programs to future-proof talent, ensuring world-leading know-how and sufficient resources in bioeconomy. Attract international students and workforce to Finland.

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