With over 30 years of experience in the waste management and recycling industry, Mika stands as a pioneer in the circular economy. Holding a Master of Science in Chemical Process Engineering, he has played a critical role in transforming plastic recycling from an emerging concept into a large-scale industrial reality in Finland and internationally. His work has facilitated the recycling of tens of thousands of tons of plastic and billions of plastic products. In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions, Mika was awarded the first-ever Plastic Circulation Award by the Environmental Ministry of Finland in 2023.
Mika’s career has been closely intertwined with Sumi Ltd, a Finnish non-profit packaging producer organization. Since its establishment in 1992, Sumi has evolved from a voluntary producer responsibility organization focused on plastic packaging to a major player in multi-material recycling. Today, Sumi represents over 1,600 companies and fulfills their statutory packaging producer responsibilities for materials including plastic, metal, glass, cardboard, and wood.
Sumi Ltd: Scaling Innovation in Packaging Waste Management
Sumi’s mission is clear: to develop sustainable and efficient systems for packaging waste recycling. One of its most ambitious initiatives is the €44 million investment in a state-of-the-art plastic packaging waste sorting facility. Slated to double Finland’s current sorting capacity, the facility is expected to process up to 80,000 tons of plastic packaging waste annually. This landmark project is critical in helping Finland meet and exceed the European Union’s recycling and circular economy targets.
But Sumi’s efforts don’t stop at consumer packaging. The organization has also ventured into agricultural plastic waste through a voluntary producer responsibility subsidiary, collecting over 40% of agricultural plastics placed on the Finnish market in its inaugural year. The initiative is supported by the majority of Finland’s agricultural plastic producers and reflects Sumi’s broader commitment to sustainability across sectors.
A Broader Mission: Global Inspiration
Mika’s lifelong dedication to building scalable recycling infrastructure and fostering producer responsibility resonates beyond Finland. His work, alongside Sumi’s strategic initiatives, provides a blueprint for other nations striving to close the loop on plastic waste and transition toward a more sustainable future.
🌍 Join the Conversation at PolyNext Conference 2025 – Dubai
Sustainability pioneers like Mika and organizations such as Sumi Ltd embody the spirit of PolyNext Conference, the leading global platform dedicated to plastic innovation, recycling, and circular economy leadership.
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📣 Be part of the movement. Discover solutions, celebrate change-makers, and collaborate on building a circular future for plastics.
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