On 13 May the final showcase event of the Nordic Circular Design Programme took place in Stockholm marking the conclusion of an extensive 8-month program during which Nordic companies have learned about circular design practices and opportunities.
More than 30 companies from various industries participated in the program. At the final showcase event, six of them presented their key learnings and concrete circular solutions developed through the program.
Focus on both strategy and innovation
Approaching circularity from different layers of the organization has been one of the key aspects of the program. One of the participants, the Danish footwear manufacturer ECCO, said:
“What we liked about this program was the focus on both strategic and development levels. Most initiatives currently available emphasize strategy, which is of course really great and needed. However, this program recognized the need to work on both levels. This has been a really good opportunity for us to link the two areas.”
Another participant, the Finnish company Exel Composites, which produces composite profiles and tubes, has developed a new, circular product during the program: a tool handle made from 70% recycled glass fiber material. The company is now in discussions with potential customers interested in bringing the product into real life production to see how the market responses to it.
“We really learned that we have to rethink the design processes, the manufacturing processes, and the customer experience. What was nice in this program was that all the companies shared their ideas, and that way we got some insight into what the customer experience could be like and how different industries would approach this kind of new philosophies.”
Circularity is a team effort
Another key learning from the program was the importance of cross-functional collaboration within companies to achieve circularity. Dafo Brand, a Swedish company specializing in fire protection and rescue equipment, said:
“We also realized that more people from across the company need to be involved. Otherwise, it won’t lead anywhere. That is also one of the key learnings. It takes a team with members from different departments of the organization to work on the challenge of achieving more circular business models.”
Useful tools for circular innovation
Participants also emphasized the concrete tools received during the workshops as an important benefit from the program.
Sandvik, a Norwegian company offering high-tech solutions for the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries, said:
“The main value has been knowledge sharing and networking. And then also the tools and models that the program has provided. For instance, this service design strategies framework that we have used in the workshops and our pilot projects.”
Are you looking for circular tools? We have collected some for you here!
The Nordics lead the circular way
The Nordic Circular Design Programme has developed a joint statement to push forward a unified commitment towards the circular transition.
The statement:
We are the ambassadors of the transition towards a circular economy in the Nordic region, and here is our commitment.
The Nordic businesses stand together, learn from each other and lead by example - together we show how a transition to a circular economy is a viable and necessary next step for Europe to secure our competitiveness.
We are committed to Nordic businesses staying ambitious, embracing and designing for a circular economy through concrete action, and showing how the future of competitiveness could look - If we can imagine it - we can design it!
To achieve long-term circularity, we need:
- A fundamental shift in how we think, develop and operate - internally as well in our partnerships.
- We embrace a new collective narrative that enable us to transition towards a society with a positive impact.
- We relentlessly push boundaries - exploring new value chains, forging bold collaborations, navigating complexity, and turning the future into clear, actionable steps, and share best practices that inspire other to follow our lead.
By welcoming policies such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR), we make compliance an opportunity to do better and improve as a company and whole sector.
We invite all Nordic companies, policymakers, organisations, investors, and consumers to join and act now. Embracing circular design is not only an environmental imperative but a strategic opportunity to drive impactful innovation, create better lives, and build resilient businesses for the future. Together, we can position the Nordic region at the forefront of the global circular economy movement.
So join us in this movement, leading by example, staying curious and sharing knowledge across borders. Because circular design is the fastest way to circularity!
“Circular economy is a huge business opportunity. It has been estimated that up to 140 billion dollars can be captured by 2030 in the Nordics if the circular business models are implemented at scale. Circular design of products, processes and operations is one of – if not – the most effective model to transition,” says Hanna Törmänen.
Background
The Nordic Circular Design Programme is supported under the Circular Business Models Program. The project partners are Ethica Finland, Cradlenet, Norwegian Centre For Circular Economy and Danish Design Center.
