The STAR project takes centre stage in the battle against plastic waste in Finland. Coordinated by Jani Salminen, the leading researcher at the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), this initiative seeks to transform the country’s approach to plastics by developing a model on circular plastic flows in Finland.
The STAR project, which stands for “Sustainability transition through promoting recycling: Modeling circular plastic flows in Finland”, aims to close the loop on plastic use, breaking free from fossil-based raw materials, and boosting the proportion of recycled plastic in products. By combining quantitative and qualitative analyses, the project develops a model to describe real-life) plastic flows in Finland from cradle to cradle. The quantitative analysis is supplemented with qualitative aspects of recyclability: factors, such as hazardous substances, related to specific plastic waste streams are identified and determined in chosen wastes.
Jani Salminen, who has thorough understanding on modelling of material flows and on the regulatory frameworks and waste legislation, has been involved in the work drafting new mechanical recycling end-of-waste regulations for plastics. These regulations, which are on their way to the Finnish parliament, will establish national criteria for when mechanically recycled plastic is no longer considered waste. With this experience under his belt, Jani Salminen is now set to lead the STAR project.
Funded by Business Finland through the SPIRIT programme, the STAR project is a collaborative effort involving major Finnish companies, including Neste and Borealis, each contributing through their own Veturi programmes. The co-innovation initiative, which kicked off in April 2024, is driven by the needs of businesses and aims to develop a comprehensive model of Finland’s circular plastics flows, considering both imports and exports.
The project gathers real-life data from different public sources such as statistical microdata. Surveys on the use of plastics are also conducted and the partner companies representing different value chains bring important insights to complement and validate the data. Borealis, as a producer of polyolefins, provides valuable data on their plastic flows and customer segments. Mirka represents a company that uses plastics in their products, both abrasives and long-life power tools. With their Veturi programme SHAPE they are exploring ways to enhance their contribution to the circular economy for plastics. Other partners include Forecon, with expertise in construction, and companies such as SYKLO and Wastewise, which contribute to the expertise on waste management and recycling of plastics. Research work is implemented by SYKE, Tampere University, TU Vienna and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Jani Salminen says: ”Our goal is to create a detailed and comprehensive plastic flow model that takes into account recyclability criteria, assists businesses in making investment decisions, and guides the plastics economy, for instance, in identifying potential issues for governmental or research attention.”
This two-year project is well aligned with the SPIRIT programme and its R&D themes. STAR will provide knowledge for waste streams of plastics, providing a foundation for future projects and business development around these insights.
“During the first years of SPIRIT, we have realised how urgently a comprehensive picture of Finnish plastic use and plastic waste flows is needed,” Jaakko Tuomainen from Borealis says. “Instead of each research project having a quick look at the waste volumes, the STAR is now focusing on this. The project will create an updatable flow model, providing necessary information for future plastic recycling research projects, and even for investments.”
The outcome of the project will be a plastics balance, or a flow model of plastics owned by SYKE but intended to be as public as possible. It will provide industry-level information based on the structure of national accounts and existing classifications, while respecting the confidentiality of private company data.
In addition to the modelling work, the project will involve surveys conducted by Tampere University (TAU) to collect additional information from companies on raw material usage. One partner, Finnfoam, is already making strides with a polystyrene recycling facility in Salo, highlighting the tangible impacts of the STAR project.
In addition to the modelling work, the project will involve surveys conducted by Tampere University (TAU) to collect additional information from companies on raw material usage. One partner, FF-FUTURE which was divided from Finnfoam few years ago, is already making strides with a polystyrene recycling facility in Salo, highlighting the tangible impacts of the STAR project. Henri Nieminen from FF-FUTURE concludes: ”Finnfoam and EPS insulation boards are made of polystyrene which is thermoplastic and can be recycled back to production of new insulation materials within our new recycling facility. We aim to get broader understanding on how to get polystyrene better into recycling and where these are located.”
As this project progresses, it demonstrates Finland’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. The STAR project is not just about creating a model — it is about bringing together businesses, researchers, and policymakers to build a more sustainable future for plastics and the environment.