Future bioeconomy pathways: case fibre-based packaging sector in Finland

Abstract

According to the Finnish bioeconomy strategy, competitive and sustainable bioeconomy solutions for global problems can be created via new business creation both in the domestic and international markets. Forest sector contributes to roughly one half of the bioeconomy sector in Finland with main growth areas being packaging, industrial wood construction and production of renewable biofuels. Demand for renewable materials based packaging solutions is driven by growing environmental consciousness, technological development and the rise in online purchasing.

The aim of the research is to investigate how fiber-based packaging value network actors in Finland perceive the role of sustainability and sustainability related innovations shaping the transitioning toward future bioeconomy. First, we wish to clarify how the value network actors understand the concept of bioeconomy, and second, empirically analyse the two possible bioeconomy evolution pathways. In the technology based pathway, sustainability is viewed as an implicit result of the bioeconomy and most emphasis is in the technological development, resource efficiency and diffusion large scale solutions promoted by strong partnerships between policy, science and industry. In contrast, according to the socio-ecological pathway, higher emphasis is in promoting circularity, inclusive regional value chain development and sustainable consumption practices.

Our qualitative analysis is based on a futures workshop and 14 expert and industry interviews with different actor organizations of the Finnish fiber-based packaging sector. These results are also analyzed against the Nordic bioeconomy strategy to depict enabling factors and barriers in achieving the set goals regarding sustainability and economic competitiveness from the packaging business perspective. Based on the results, bioeconomy is seen as a bringing concept but without one clear definition. The study also found that although all actors have importance for the future development of more sustainable packaging concept, the brand owners are perceived to carry the most influential power. We conclude that the bioeconomy concept may contribute toward gaining societal benefits from sustainability, but to do this it needs to break free from business as usual thinking and silos between different packaging sectors.