Articles on circular transition

Common grass could become a new contribution to the energy transition – and a new source of income for Swedish farmers. Lantmännen is well on its way to successfully extracting protein for pigs and poultry from forage crops.  "This could generate profitability for our farmers and make production more sustainable. And we will become less dependent on products produced far away. We are killing several birds with one stone," says Pär-Johan Lööf, R&D Manager Agri at Lantmännen. 

In collaboration with RISE, Axkid has strengthened its ability to develop circular products and assess future opportunities for remanufacturing through a structured foresight process The result is a more consolidated knowledge base and a clearer direction for long-term decision-making.

Robust constructions are essential for safety. Circularity, however, requires products that can be taken apart. Wherever these requirements coincide, the same challenge emerges: how can they be combined without compromise?

Sweden loses SEK 600 billion every year due to today’s linear “take-make-waste” economy, where products are designed for short lifespans and are rarely reused. This amount corresponds to one-fifth of the total value created in Sweden. These findings are presented in the Circularity Gap Report (CGR) – The Value Gap: Sweden, produced by RISE in collaboration with Circle Economy.

All surfaces in our surroundings are affected by how they are used and the environments they are exposed to. Cecilia’s work with surface treatments extends the lifespan of many products and processes, reducing resource consumption - and thereby contributing to a more sustainable world.

With the help of common guidelines, known as industry recommendations, contractors, designers, and builders can ensure that they meet the functional requirements of the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning's new building regulations. As an independent third party, RISE has developed a verification program that makes the recommendations safe and reliable tools for the construction sector - a clear testament to credibility and quality.

How can remanufacturing become a viable business model? A key starting point is to develop clear strategies and roadmaps that map the journey from the current state to circular product life cycles. By working with a roadmap, UBD Cleantech gained fresh perspectives and a tool that simplifies concrete changes while making it easier to prioritize over the long term.

Climate transition requires more than visions – it requires action. Across Sweden, several municipalities and cities are leading the way with concrete measures that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create sustainable communities. The transition needs to happen on a large scale and at a rapid pace. But how should the transition be financed and how should we solve the major challenge of increased consumption?

Cellulose fibres in paper and board can be recycled over and over again, but in practice many fibres disappear from the system after a few cycles. There is now increasing pressure to optimise recycling. Companies that act in time can achieve both cost savings and competitive advantages.

Launched in response to industry's need for increased competitiveness, the challenges of the future have become more numerous and complex. The development programme led by RISE is more relevant than ever.

Challenging work tasks, supporting colleagues and an opportunity to make a difference. This characterises Fabian Kroner and Felix Thorgren's time as thesis students at RISE in the spring of 2025. - ‘This has been one of the most educational six months of my life,’ says Felix.

At RISE, Sofie Gustafsson gets to combine her interest in the environment and technology through research projects that support the transition of industry. As a recent graduate, she appreciates the variety, the clear sustainability perspective and the opportunity to grow in line with the assignments.

When Emil Hed did his thesis project at RISE, he did not know that it would be the start of an exciting career in research and development. But when a job opening came up that matched the content of his thesis, he took the chance – and got the job.

The construction sector has a lot to gain from reclaiming materials - especially load-bearing structures such as concrete frames, which often have a long lifespan after demolition. Despite the great climate potential, development is being slowed by unclear rules and uncertainty about quality. To speed up the transition, RISE has established a center with the goal of making reuse a natural part of the construction process.

Fermentation is more than just trendy kombucha and kimchi – the ancient preservation method is being used to develop alternative protein sources. But how does it work? And what are the challenges?

The use of biomass has become a controversial issue in the debate about future energy systems. Some regard it as essential for the green transition. However, others warn of the negative effects of using forest residues for energy purposes. So, what do two researchers specialising in energy systems analysis have to say on the matter?