Kiertoprosessitermin

Kiertoprosessitermin is a Finnish term that translates roughly to "circular process term." It refers to a conceptual framework used in business and industrial contexts to describe processes that are designed to be circular rather than linear. In a circular process, materials, products, or energy are reused, remanufactured, or recycled so that waste is minimized and resources are conserved. The term is often applied in discussions of the circular economy, product life-cycle management, and sustainability engineering.

The main principles of a kiertoprosessitermin include material flow optimization, product durability, modular design, and closed-loop supply chains. Companies adopting this framework tend to evaluate every stage of a product’s life—from raw material extraction through manufacturing, distribution, use, and end‑of‑life—to identify opportunities for circularity. Typical examples are refurbishing electronic assemblies, repurposing packaging materials, and using heat recovery systems in manufacturing plants.

Benefits claimed by proponents of the kiertoprosessitermin include cost savings from reduced material inputs, reduced environmental impact, improved brand reputation, and compliance with evolving regulatory requirements focused on sustainability. Critics argue that the transition to fully circular processes may require significant upfront investment and cultural change within organizations. Nonetheless, the concept has gained traction in European policy discussions and in academic literature, with many case studies published in journals of industrial ecology and sustainable manufacturing.