A NEW BEGINNING FOR PLASTIC

Plastic waste that ends up in water and nature is a global problem. Finnish companies are on a mission to become pioneers in the utilisation of recycled plastic. The recycling process begins with the collection, separation and processing of plastic so that the material can be reused for the manufacture of ecological products. Bio-based and ecological plastic products form one of the key solutions for developing the life cycle of plastic.

Solutions for the reuse of plastic are sought with an open innovation competition

Upcycling Plastic Waste Innovation Challenge is an innovation competition in which companies develop solutions to the challenges of cleaning up and reusing plastic waste. Finnish companies LAMOR and Plastex are the “challengers” of this innovation competition, inviting other companies to take part.

“Through this contest, we want to seek new solutions and partners. Our overall aim is to develop a global ecosystem platform. This kind of platform would benefit all the companies involved and enable the development of a more comprehensive and efficient water purification system,” says Mika Pirneskoski, CEO of Lamor Corporation Ab, which provides expertise in ecosystem protection.

Founded in 1936, Plastex aims to be Scandinavia’s leading developer and manufacturer of circular economy products. The goal is to build a circular economy ecosystem for plastic products, creating new know-how and jobs in Finland.

“The circular economy and new raw materials offer remarkable opportunities to develop new products that minimise CO2 emissions,” says Lauri Ant-Wuorinen, CEO of Plastex.

“3D design and 3D printing enable rapid development and manufacturing of new circular economy products that are made of plastic and minimise the carbon footprint. Recycling of plastic products and the design and manufacture of new circular economy products are currently very much in demand on the market,” Ant-Wuorinen continues.

Upcycling Plastic Waste Innovation Challenge is organised by the RECOIN project, which is executed in Uusimaa, Finland, and commissioned by the development companies Novago and Posintra. The innovation competition is carried out by Ultrahack, a Finnish company specialising in organising global innovation programs and hackathons.

“We are excited to take part in saving the world through this ambitious and impressive challenge,” says Miikka Nevasalo, CEO of Ultrahack.

The project started in November 2020 and culminates in an innovation competition organised remotely at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Myllypuro campus from 25 to 27 March 2021. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is aiming to build a future in which the UN Sustainable Development Goals guide all Metropolia’s operations.

For more information on the competition and to register, please visit: https://ultrahack.org/upcycling-plastic-waste

Additional information: Emilia Roiha, project manager, Ultrahack, +358 50 516 3939, emilia.roiha(a)ultrahack.com