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. 2025 Apr;32(17):11308-11316.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36336-0. Epub 2025 Apr 4.

From fossil-based to circular bioeconomy: a Swedish and Finnish pathway

Narasinha Shurpali  1 , Yuan Li  2 , Elina Tampio  3 , Reijo Lappalainen  4 , Ali Mohammadi  5 , Maria Sandberg  5 , Hem Raj Bhattarai  2 , Ella Honkanen  2 , Farinaz Ebrahimian  5 , Ilmari Laaksonen  6 , Lucia Blasco  6 , Noora Jokinen  4 , Venkatesh Govindrajan  5 , Summaira Saghir  4 , Vivek Narisetty  7 , Karin Granström  5
Affiliations

From fossil-based to circular bioeconomy: a Swedish and Finnish pathway

Narasinha Shurpali et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

The transition from a fossil-based economy to a circular bioeconomy is a critical challenge and opportunity in the face of global climate change. Sweden and Finland, with their abundant forest resources and strong commitment to sustainability, are well positioned to lead this transition. The WoodPro project exemplifies this effort by exploring innovative ways to valorize forest residues into high-value products such as 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), biopolymers and hydrochar. This perspective outlines the project's multidisciplinary approach, which integrates advanced bioprocessing technologies with dynamic system analysis to optimize the sustainability and economic feasibility of these biorefining pathways. We highlight the potential of these interconnected processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, close nutrient loops and stimulate rural development, while positioning the Nordic countries as global leaders in the circular bioeconomy. The insights gained from this project highlight the importance of holistic, systems-based approaches in achieving carbon neutrality and offer a model for similar transitions worldwide.

Keywords: Biochar; Biomass conversion; Butanediol; Forest residues; GHG emissions; Polymers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval: We declare that the work described here has not been published previously and that the article is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Consent to participate: We declare that the article’s publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out. Consent for publication: We stand firm by our statement that if accepted, the article will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, including electronically without the written consent of the copyright-holder. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The WoodPro project scheme for the valorization of forest residues
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Work packages (WPs) in the WoodPro project and their interactions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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