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?

The vast majority of wild berries in Sweden are left unpicked, and of those that are, most are picked by foreign workers linked to large wholesalers. After picking, a large proportion of the berries are sent out of the country for processing. The municipality of Bjurholm wanted to try a new approach. Is it possible to combine the experience of short, local value chains with the economies of scale of long value chains for berries?

The energy system of the future is based on batteries. But while other countries and regions have secured the entire chain – from raw material to finished product – Europe has lost momentum and is struggling with failed investments. How can we reverse this trend?

On April 29, RISE organized a full-day conference on the theme 'Water – from Vital Resource to Climate Challenge.' The conference brought together stakeholders from across society to jointly discuss how we can address both current and future water challenges.

Giving used products a new life is not only a sustainable solution—it can also make strong business sense. Join Husqvarna Construction on its journey towards a more circular business model. “We see both environmental and economic benefits in reintroducing products to the market,” says Adam Björk, Sustainability Director at Husqvarna Construction.

Adapting our cities to be better prepared for the future is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks we face. No one knows for sure how the future will unfold. It requires innovation from everyone involved, especially in cities and municipalities. But how should one proceed and where should one start? An innovation partnership with RISE is a good start to succeed in the urban societal transition.

Does start-up Reselo have the answer to fossil-free rubber? The company's material is already used for shoe soles – and together with a manufacturer it is now being adapted for tyre production, which accounts for 70% of the world's rubber consumption. "The material is made entirely from birch bark and can be incorporated into existing production processes," says Josefin Larsson, CPO at Reselo.

Sweden's largest initiative for sustainable cities, Climate Neutral Cities 2030, is stepping up. 48 of Sweden's 290 municipalities are coming together to tackle the climate crisis. In just five years, the original nine cities in the initiative have now become 48. According to Lars Johansson, change leader and transition strategist at RISE and part of the Viable Cities program office, the ambition is for all Swedish municipalities to become climate neutral, and it is not an impossibility. The initiative is driven by Viable Cities, which is one of Sweden's national strategic innovation programs.

The plastics in our children's toys, the synthetic fibres in our clothes and the ingredients in the salve we use to lubricate our hands. The common denominator? The products contain chemicals of fossil origin that need to be phased out. Green chemicals is the key.

Climate change has long been characterised by reactive thinking and blame. But meeting the challenges of the future requires a new perspective that puts human needs and innovation at the center. – Businesses and cities should see climate change not as a blame game, but as an opportunity to innovate, says Dennis Pamlin, innovation expert at RISE.

Our energy system needs to be transformed. We need to move away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable solutions. To reach the set targets, several different solutions will be required - and to find out which ones are most effective, an energy system analysis can be an important tool.

Energy communities are a smart way to produce, recycle and share energy between homes, industries and other types of buildings. Since the beginning of the year, energy sharing between residential buildings has been authorized, opening up new possibilities.

The construction and property sector is in urgent need of a transition to circular business models, not least to meet future sustainability requirements. One of the challenges is to create a working system for the reuse of construction products. Those who find the right solutions have a lot to gain.

At a time when resources are increasingly limited and the need to reduce waste, emissions and energy consumption is more urgent than ever, the aluminium industry is facing major challenges. The energy required to produce one tonne of aluminium from bauxite ore is equivalent to the annual consumption of an average-sized house. But there is hope. Recycled aluminium can secure the supply for the future - in a more sustainable way.

Plastic can be highly damaging to the environment thus replacing it with entirely new bio-based materials could be one solution to reducing environmental impact. In the future, fibre-based foam could be used in everything from packaging and furniture to cars and houses.

Circular products and services that are received with little interest are not doing much for the green transition. New research shows what it takes to create circular offers that customers actually want.

Batteries are essential for the transition to a fossil-free society. They are already used in millions of consumer products, but also for various industrial applications - and demand is expected to increase. Sweden is well placed to become a leading battery nation. "But to do so, we need a common arena for sharing information and costs. Once this is in place, the entrepreneurs will come," says Dina Dedic at RISE.

Cities rank high in quality of life surveys. Unemployment is low and access to higher education is good. At the same time, they have renewable energy, metals and minerals that are crucial to the development of green technology. It's all about the north of Sweden, of course. Several top politicians have described it as a "shop window to the world" when it comes to industrial change. But it's not just the industry that needs to develop, society also needs to keep pace. To achieve this, the region must act as one, with combined forces.

The next generation oil company. That's how Votion Biorefineries in Sundsvall describes itself. The company has developed a method for converting waste products into biofuels and biochemicals. The process has now been thoroughly tested and it is time to scale up operations.

It's a downward spiral that needs to be broken: climate change is affecting the availability of food resources, while the world's population is growing. Our eating habits contribute to new greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change. Does the solution lie in alternative foods?

Producing concrete has become a major source of global CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, 70 percent of the world's population is expected to live in cities by 2050. The growing need for infrastructure and housing means that the use of concrete will increase sharply. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find sustainable alternatives to traditional concrete. The industry understands the importance of this. According to RISE's concrete and materials experts, a new standard for recycled concrete could be introduced as early as 2025.

The life sciences industry aims to improve human health. At the same time, the sector is responsible for a significant climate impact. And the transition faces particular challenges. "We in the research community can help to better understand what can be changed and provide relevant assessment methods and tools. This will help focus efforts where they are needed and where they will be most effective," says Björn Gregertsen at RISE.

Vehicles can be made much more sustainable than they are today. This was concluded by project SVIS, which wrapped up this autumn. Within the project, RISE and partners explored the potential for recycling and reusing vehicle interiors, generating circular solutions that could shape the future of the automotive industry.

By 2030, IKEA intends for all the plastic used in their products to be recycled or renewable. With the hope of developing new sustainable solutions through cross-border collaboration along the entire value chain, IKEA has entered into partnership with the National Center for Sustainable Plastics at RISE.

The real estate company Wallenstam wanted to create a new, smaller version of the artwork "Två myror" (Two ants). RISE was commissioned to cast the ants and bring the classic sculpture to life through sustainable casting."We knew what we wanted to achieve but needed the best expertise," says Ulf Ek, Senior Advisor at Wallenstam.

Since May 2024, the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act has been enforced across the entire union. The goals are ambitious: within a few years, the EU aims to increase its self-sufficiency and recycling of critical metals and minerals, while simultaneously reducing reliance on individual countries."What remains now is the "how": learning from each other and balancing different interests," says Christina Jönsson at RISE.

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an initiative by the EU Commission that aims to harness the potential in culture and the creative sectors of architecture, art, and design to ramp up climate action efforts. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has stated that “If the European Green Deal has a soul, then it is the New European Bauhaus, which has led to an explosion of creativity across our Union.”

Reusing heavy building components such as concrete frames will help the construction sector achieve net zero emissions by 2045 – while increasing the number of homes. Efforts are now underway to shape the market. 

Other countries have already taken this step, but not Sweden. Until now. RISE's new system dynamics model of the Swedish energy system provides authorities and electricity companies with an important tool for taking Sweden towards zero emissions by 2045.

Scientists and politicians agree – PFAS should not be present in products manufactured now or in the future. In anticipation of a broad EU ban, companies need to ascertain whether their product portfolios contain PFAS substances. This knowledge is essential to meet future requirements.  

Five massive wave-shaped benches crafted from biobased materials, designed to withstand lakeside weather and winds for years to come. Could they be 3D printed? Yes, said Fraunhofer. With a little help from a friend.

We find ourselves in a pivotal era, where we are fundamentally reconsidering our approach to material usage. This shift demands a move towards a significantly more efficient utilization of the Earth's resources. To ensure genuinely sustainable outcomes, numerous factors must be considered. What does the material need to withstand? And for how long must it endure?

Companies that experiment and collaborate with industry peers to benefit from the latest research will get a head start on the industrial transition. The Bioeconomy research programme is the arena where this happens.

Another step is being taken towards a net-zero emissions future. High-value new construction products made from recycled wood and industrial wood waste residues are being developed. Alternative circular processes are being studied for both new building materials and composite building elements in a newly launched research project.

More forest raw materials will be needed in the future. Increased resource efficiency with regard to the use of raw materials is therefore necessary. There are two ways to go for construction with cross-laminated timber (CLT), to produce CLT panels by maximising the efficiency of current processes or to adapt the structure of the CLT panel to the final use of the building in which it is installed.

It may be time for Swedish industry to become more aware of its water consumption. The risk of water scarcity is only part of the problem. "The EU's Green Deal imposes stricter requirements, and old permits may be re-evaluated. Many would benefit from a better overview before we get there," says Marie Karlberg of RISE. 

What will the future of construction look like? How can the currently linear value chain for housing construction become circular? Can industrially produced wooden houses be the answer and contribute to a shift towards a more circular construction sector with increased reuse?

An industrially manufactured innovative facade system for sustainable renovation for the ROT sector is under development. The goal is a system that is easy for architects to use through a digitized design process in the design and planning process and attractive to different properties' design and appearance based on different cases of additional insulation.

As a research institute, RISE has a key role in linking together academia and industry. RISE's CEO describes a year of new initiatives and continued development of the business.

Can spent yeast from beer brewing be used to replace fossil-based raw material in adhesives? This is being investigated in the Reflows project, which uses waste yeast from breweries to produce adhesives adapted for wood and paper applications in a circular way.

In the field of wood technology at RISE, many individual activities are ongoing, but they are also parts of a whole to support the development of a circular wood value chain. By creating a circular wood value chain, we utilize raw materials in the best possible way, which is a prerequisite for the continued development of the wood sector.

By the end of the century, it is estimated that we will share the Earth's finite resources with 11 billion people. This means that current approaches to sustainability and reduced consumption are not enough. "We need to measure success in new ways. From manufacturing and selling as many products as possible to examining how organisations can give people the best possible conditions to live meaningful lives," says Dennis Pamlin, innovation expert at RISE. 

What role do Swedish innovation companies play in global change? An important one, according to several studies. RISE's Henrik Bagewitz and Leif Lyckebäck, who have met hundreds of innovative small companies, explain the key factors that increase the chances of success.

Would a collection of typewriter manufacturers focused on reducing their own emissions have invented the computer? Are we about to get the equivalent of the world's lowest-emission typewriters, when what we need is something completely different?

Eat less meat and fill your plate with more seafood. It's good for the climate - most of the time, anyway. But for business owners and consumers to make more sustainable choices, better knowledge of raw materials and production methods is needed at all levels."Starting to ask questions can be a virtuous circle of increased knowledge. Don't be afraid to ask your suppliers," says Friederike Ziegler, a researcher at RISE.

The Swedish Fish Industry Association needed more meat on its bones to explain the state of knowledge and answer burning questions. They found the answer in independent expertise. - All industries benefit from moving from opinion-based to fact-based discussions, says chairman Krishan Kent. 

Corrugated board is the world's most widely used transport packaging. But it is not without its challenges. Its production requires a lot of wood fibre and the finished packaging can be damaged by moisture and pressure. Stora Enso launched a research project to improve the sustainability of corrugated board – in two ways: by using stronger paper and less raw material.

Almost everything sold in the EU could soon need a so-called digital product passport. This will place new demands on manufacturers and importers in terms of sustainability data. But the new requirements could also lead to entirely new business models.

Can we see into the future? Perhaps not in the literal sense. But we can actually plan and prepare for tomorrow on a scientific basis. 

Up to a third of all the world’s food is discarded. Often completely unnecessarily. Although households are responsible for most food waste, there is much that can be done upstream to reduce post-consumer food waste.   “It’s a major problem that no one can solve alone,” says Maria Nehme O'Neill at RISE. 

This summer, Melker of Sweden partnered up with RISE for an unprecedented venture: employing an industrial robot to print a full-sized kayak, cut open hatches, print on hatch rings, drill holes for deck fasteners, and prepare the hull bottom for milling. In one constant motion.

The use of carbon atoms in various materials and energy carriers has provided the foundation for much of our welfare. Parallel to this, it has brought upon us key challenges in the shape of environmental problems and the climate crisis. We now need to find ways to use carbon-based substances without simultaneously destroying our planet. And the solution may be found in the fumes from many industrial chimneys.

Among the materials we need most for the sustainable transition are those that are rare or difficult to extract. And while our need for them increases, so does everyone else’s. The EU’s need for rare earth elements is projected to increase sixfold, by as early as 2030. The need for lithium will double over the same period – to twelvefold. If we cannot obtain the necessary materials – how will the electrification of transport and industry be possible? 

Today, many companies set goals for using recycled materials. But far too few actually do so. So how do we build trust in using recycled materials on a large scale – and how do we get everyone involved to accept the challenges it entails?  “It’s often more expensive,” says Christina Jönsson, a department head at RISE. “Traceability is uncertain. And the quality varies. This is, of course, challenging.” 

In the coming years, several new laws and regulations will enter into force at EU level, which will significantly accelerate the market’s demand for sustainable business models. RISE runs Circular Business Lab – a collaborative workshop and knowledge hub for everyone seeking to learn how to move from linear to circular business. 

By 2050, Europe will become the world’s first carbon-neutral continent. A concrete roadmap began to take shape in 2019, when the European Green Deal was reached. The EU has now proposed a large number of updated and new policies under the Green Deal. Here’s how your business will be affected.

A revolutionary legislation for a textile industry that needs to become more sustainable. That's how Lisa Schwarz Bour, Director of Environment and Sustainable Chemistry at RISE, describes the ESPR - Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations. An important novelty is the requirement for a digital product passport, in which companies must disclose the materials a product contains and how it can be repaired and recycled. From 2027, all companies within the EU are obligated to comply with ESPR.

Volvo Cars has committed to becoming a circular business by 2040. A challenge that, according to themselves, is one of the biggest they’ve ever faced. The use of recycled and bio-based materials is part of the solution, as is additive manufacturing. We have talked to Torbjörn Larsson, Senior Principal Engineer, and AM Expert at Volvo Cars.

How can we combine circularity with a sustainable business model? This was a question that Andreas Mattisson of furniture company EFG had given a great deal of thought to. It was only after chancing on a lecture on future adaptive design by Thomas Nyström of RISE that the pieces began to fall into place. 

Municipalities are attempting to achieve ambitious climate goals, but must also meet the increasing need for new housing and premises. The construction sector wants to become part of a circular economy – but must first and foremost comply with strict building codes and material requirements. These are not simple equations, but reuse is part of the solution. 

The cities of the future are already built – but they need to become more climate-smart and socially sustainable. To achieve this, we need to become better and wiser in terms of renovating, transforming, and densifying. The research school ASSURE focuses on how we can transform our existing cities into something more sustainable. 

Increased use of batteries is crucial for electrification, but the metals they contain also pose problems: difficult to obtain, often found in conflict zones – and ultimately difficult to break down. Swedish company Ligna Energy solves the entire problem by manufacturing batteries from completely new raw materials: residual products from the forest.

Plastic becomes new plastic, which becomes new plastic, which becomes new plastic, and on it goes. Using materials in a cycle is important for us to achieve the national environmental and climate goals and the global goals in the 2030 Agenda. The speciality chemicals group Perstorp is now participating in a project for the large-scale chemical recycling of PET packaging. And they see a clear potential in developing and producing new products for their customers.

They are based in what is currently one of the most expansive regions in Sweden. However, despite this, innovation is not something that simply happens. Accordingly, Piteå Science Park has engaged RISE to certify five innovation leaders. “In exploratory processes, it’s extremely important to know where you’re headed, and certification provides a quality seal confirming that we know how to get there,” says Greta Wimander, campus strategist at Piteå Science Park.  

Climate change places new demands on municipal urban runoff management. Uppsala’s newly established Rosendal district has been home to the testing of innovative full-scale blue/green/grey solutions – solutions that can handle torrential rain, purify water and improve the urban vegetation environment. “This way, even heavy rain is a resource,” explains Johan Eriksson, an environmental strategist at Uppsala Municipality.

Reducing carbon emissions is important to efforts to stop climate change, but at least as important is identifying and creating carbon sinks. RISE researcher Tora Råberg and her colleagues have helped the City of Malmö identify what they can do to reach net-zero emissions.

Access to fossil-free electricity. Industrial expertise. A clear strategy. Moving forwards, Sweden is well equipped to become a leading European battery nation. According to experts at RISE, we now need more testbeds, faster mining permit processes and easier routes to investment in the battery value chain. 

The country's food producers need to think inventively and smarter. More climate- and more environmentally friendly products in the stores, increased organic food production and reduced food waste. This and much more is needed to achieve the goal of a sustainable food chain and a climate-neutral Sweden by 2045. 

What should we really eat for both us and the planet to feel good? The answer may feel simple, but overweight and obesity are still on the rise. To overcome the problem, you need information, innovation – and finding your way back to the Nordic pantry and traditional cooking traditions.  

There is a strong commitment to a sustainable food system. But the road to the goal is not straight. Focusing solely on making one's climate impact as small as possible risks having a negative effect on other important environmental goals. This is how you as a food operator can make the choices that suit your business best. 

We need to use fewer plastic products – not least when it comes to single-use items. Both for environmental reasons as well as for a new EU directive. Part of the solution is spelled agricultural waste products, which can be given new life as both functional and inexpensive disposables and packaging.

A single actor cannot manage the transition on their own. In order for consumers to be able to eat food that is good, healthy and sustainable, collaboration is required throughout the food chain.  "Everyone we talk to sees the benefits. But it is not obvious for an entrepreneur to talk innovation with their supplier or customer,” says Charlotte Eklund-Jonsson at RISE. 

Climate change poses many new challenges for agriculture. The transition to a more sustainable and fossil-free agriculture must take place at the same time as food production in Sweden should increase. How can this be done while maintaining or increasing profitability?  

Increasingly more people are calling this the era of the protein shift. If we are serious about reducing climate impact and conserving natural resources, we must cut meat consumption and eat more plant-based foods. If the protein shift is to be both viable and sustainable, we need not only to learn more about how different products affect the environment and the climate, but also to get more attractive and highly nutritious products to market. 

Fossil fuel-based plastics, composite materials and aluminium may soon be replaced by a new biomaterial developed by PaperShell in collaboration with RISE. The product is an excellent example of how to quickly take an innovation all the way from idea to industrialisation.

A completely new cellulose-based textile fibre so durable and cheap that it can reduce the textile industry’s carbon footprint. This is what TreeToTextile has succeeded in developing. RISE has been involved throughout the journey – from idea to demo facility.

At RISE, around 3,000 problem-solvers are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. Some of the practical work takes place in RISE’s innovation workshop in Uppsala, where Tomas Reilander and his two colleagues produce 40-50 new innovations a year – everything from small tools to autonomous vehicles.

At RISE, over 3,000 colleagues work together for a more sustainable and competitive business community and society. One of them is Gunnar Westin, Group Manager for Biotechnology at RISE in Örnsköldsvik. The unit works on new processes to refine raw materials and side streams from forestry – and to ensure that they also make it to the market.

The automotive industry has ambitious sustainability goals, and these apply throughout the value chain. But what does it really mean for the hundreds of Swedish companies that supply their components?

Bio-based raw materials have tremendous potential in replacing fossil-based products. The problem is that with just one planet, the collected bio-based raw materials are not enough. Johanna Mossberg, head of the biorefinery and energy unit at RISE, explains how smarter, more efficient use can give us completely new opportunities.

Googling the Swedish words for “replace plastics” will produce more than 2.6 million hits. Googling in English will get you an incredible 3 billion hits. It's easy to get the impression that the world is in agreement – plastics must be phased out. But at RISE, Anna Wiktorsson is working with both small and large Swedish companies, and they see a different future – both more complicated and more sustainable.