The SHAPE programme, led by Finnish industrial company Mirka, has secured extended financing from Business Finland through to 2030. The initiative brings together companies, universities and research institutions to advance sustainable manufacturing technologies, circular materials and industrial innovation across Finland.
The funding extension marks a significant milestone for the ecosystem. It also reflects growing urgency within global manufacturing industries to address climate challenges, resource constraints and rising operational costs.
Since its launch, the SHAPE programme has focused on developing environmentally responsible production methods and sustainable industrial models. The initiative supports collaboration between academic institutions and industrial partners. Its goal is to accelerate practical innovation for long-term manufacturing transformation.
The global operating environment has changed considerably in recent years. Climate regulations have become stricter. Geopolitical instability has disrupted raw material availability. Waste management and emissions costs have also increased significantly.
At the same time, manufacturing continues to contribute heavily to global greenhouse gas emissions. Only a relatively small proportion of industrial materials is currently recycled back into production systems. Industry experts believe this creates both pressure and opportunity for manufacturers worldwide.
The extended programme, known as SHAPE 2.0, aims to tackle these challenges through broader industrial collaboration and scalable technological solutions. One of the key lessons identified during the programme’s first phase was the difficulty of scaling sustainable innovations for global manufacturing requirements.
Alternative materials and circular production concepts already exist in many sectors. However, industrial-scale implementation has often remained limited. Reliable supply volumes and delivery consistency continue to present major obstacles for manufacturers seeking sustainable transitions.
Under the extended funding framework, SHAPE 2.0 will focus on transforming industrial value chains more systematically. Greater emphasis will be placed on ensuring that sustainable materials can be produced and supplied at commercial scale.
Industry leaders involved in the programme believe scalability will determine the success of future circular manufacturing systems. Long-term competitiveness is expected to depend increasingly on efficient resource use and resilient supply chains.
Intelligent remanufacturing has also been identified as a strategic priority within the next programme phase. Existing refurbishment and remanufacturing processes are often labour intensive and difficult to automate. This has created operational bottlenecks across many circular economy systems.
To address these limitations, SHAPE 2.0 will promote the use of robotics, digitalisation and advanced automation technologies. These tools are expected to improve production efficiency while increasing economic viability for remanufacturing operations.
Automation solutions are also expected to strengthen material recovery and reuse capabilities. More efficient industrial refurbishment systems could significantly reduce waste generation across manufacturing sectors.
The programme extension was welcomed by Mirka’s leadership team. Mats Sundell, Chief Technology Officer at Mirka, stated that SHAPE had originally been established to challenge conventional industrial models and encourage meaningful change within manufacturing systems.
According to Sundell, the new funding period will allow the ecosystem to expand ongoing projects, strengthen cooperation between partners and increase long-term industrial impact. The programme will continue building on its existing framework while adapting work packages to evolving industry demands.
The role of collaboration remains central to the SHAPE ecosystem. Partnerships between industrial companies, research organisations and universities are expected to support faster technology development and practical implementation.
Business Finland’s continued support has been viewed as critical to maintaining momentum within the initiative. Long-term financing provides greater stability for research activities and industrial pilot projects.
Mirka also reaffirmed its commitment to value-driven innovation and sustainable industrial development. The company intends to continue supporting circular value chains that combine environmental responsibility with industrial competitiveness.
Charlotta Risku, General Manager of Innovations and Ecosystems at Mirka, highlighted the broader environmental ambitions behind the programme. She stated that the focus of manufacturing industries must now move beyond simply reducing environmental harm.
According to Risku, regenerative manufacturing represents the next stage of industrial sustainability. This approach seeks not only to minimise negative impact but also to restore natural systems and resources over time.
She explained that Mirka’s long-term ambition is to become a leading force in regenerative manufacturing practices. The company aims to ensure that industrial operations contribute positively to environmental balance and resource renewal.
The expansion of SHAPE arrives at a critical moment for global manufacturing industries. Companies are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions, improve material efficiency and strengthen supply chain resilience. Investors and regulators are also demanding measurable sustainability progress.
Industrial ecosystems capable of combining technological innovation with environmental responsibility are expected to play an increasingly important role in future manufacturing competitiveness.
With funding now secured through 2030, SHAPE 2.0 is positioned to accelerate development in sustainable materials, industrial automation and circular manufacturing systems. The programme is expected to strengthen Finland’s position within advanced sustainable manufacturing while supporting broader industrial transformation across Europe.
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