Presenting our partners: Muovipoli

Muovipoli is a dynamic Research, Development and Innovation unit in the plastics sector. It develops sustainable plastic usage and material innovations in collaboration with industries using plastics. Muovipoli offers a neutral environment for research, development, and innovation, cutting-edge expertise in materials and technologies, and a broad domestic and international network. Their plastics testing laboratory supports product development and plays a role in quality control.

Muovipoli became involved in CompositeCircle project through its former Managing Director, Sauli Eerola, who participated in the planning phase in collaboration with Centria University of Applied Sciences. Now they contribute by helping to map the current and planned state of wind turbine recycling in the Baltic Sea region and provide access to its network of plastics industry client companies. Muovipoli leverages its existing network of client companies in the plastics industry, some of whom may have the capacity to reuse recycled composite materials in their manufacturing processes.

Although Muovipoli’s role in the project is already well-defined, there is an understanding that it will continue to evolve as the project progresses. Whether this role will expand or narrow remains to be seen, but ongoing development is anticipated.

CompositeCircle isn’t their first project which they’ve been involved in. They’ve been and continue to be involved in several EU-funded projects. These experiences have equipped Muovipoli with strong expertise in cross-sector collaboration, sustainable material use, and the practical implementation of circular economy principles.

Throughout the project, Muovipoli has become more familiar with the operational environment of the wind power industry and the materials used

in turbine blades. “Thanks to this project, our awareness of environmental issues related to recycling has increased and become even more significant,” explains Esa Mouhu, the Head of Program Management in Muovipoli, the impact that CompositeCIrcle has had to them.

One of the major anticipated challenges of this project lies in harmonising regulations and practices across different countries. As the project strives align national frameworks, it will inevitably require changes from all participating partners. It is a process that may face resistance due to varying national policies and practices.

Despite the few challenges, Muovipoli sees strong potential for continued development beyond the current project scope. “There is still significant untapped potential in discovering and developing new applications for recycled composite materials,” says Esa, and adds: “As industries begin to embrace circular solutions, opportunities for innovation are expected to expand.”

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