The well-running SHAPE programme and ecosystem have been granted extended funding from Business Finland through 2030, in the middle of the current programme period to enable scale-up and impact. This unique ecosystem brings together Finnish companies, universities and research institutions to drive innovation and develop sustainable materials and manufacturing models. Spinverse is proud of the long-term collaboration with Mirka. Our joint work regarding the SHAPE ecosystem so far has included support in both funding proposal phases, setting-up the ecosystem and other ecosystem leadership related services.
Since its launch, the global operating environment has evolved significantly. Climate targets have tightened, geopolitical shifts have impacted raw material availability, and the cost of waste and emissions has increased. At the same time, manufacturing remains one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and only a limited share of industrial materials is currently recycled back into production. This creates both urgency and opportunity.
Experience from the first phase of SHAPE highlighted scalability as a key barrier. Although alternative materials and circular concepts exist, they are often not yet viable at the scale required by global manufacturing. With the extension to 2030, SHAPE 2.0 therefore deepens its ambition by moving toward systemic transformation of industrial value chains. A central objective is to ensure that sustainable materials are not only developed but made available at industrial scale with sufficient volumes and delivery security.
Intelligent and automated remanufacturing is another core priority. Remanufacturing and refurbishment processes today are complex and difficult to automate, creating bottlenecks in circular systems. Through digitalisation, robotics and advanced automation, SHAPE 2.0 seeks to make these processes more efficient, scalable and economically viable.
According to Mirka’s CTO Mats Sundell, SHAPE was established to challenge conventional manufacturing models, provoke change and to develop practical, scalable solutions that lower emissions while strengthening long-term competitiveness. The extended funding will help Mirka scale what they have started, deepen ecosystem collaboration and secure long-term industrial impact. The extended programme builds on the existing SHAPE framework and further develops its work packages to address evolving industrial challenges.
The successful Business Finland funding is one example of the long-term collaboration between Spinverse and Mirka, who have worked together for several years. Charlotta Risku, Mirka’s General Manager Innovations and Ecosystems reflects on the collaboration as follows: :
When shaping SHAPE, it has been important for us to have the right partners to challenge and refine our thinking. Spinverse has acted as a valuable sparring partner throughout the journey, supporting us particularly in shaping the programme and articulating its ambition during the formulation phase.
Spinverse is looking forward to witnessing how the SHAPE 2.0 project evolves and wishes the best of luck to the ecosystem. “The question is no longer how to reduce harm, but how we can actively restore and regenerate. Our long-term ambition is to be a forerunner in regenerative manufacturing, ensuring that what we give back to nature matches, or even exceeds, what we take,” concludes Mirka’s General Manager Innovations and Ecosystems Charlotta Risku concludes.
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Janne Kaukojärvi
Senior Sales Manager, Business Development,
M. Sc. (Eng.)
janne.kaukojärvi@spinverse.com
+358 50 5286197