Anders Sjögren (polymerinstitute), Magnus Svensson (WISE), Oscar Engbom (Husqvarna), Lars Jerpdal (SCANIA), Joakim Wiedesheim ( polymerinstitute) and Thor Gardarsson (Thule Group).

6 Sep 2024

SuPRA wants to make plastics right

WIRA-SuPRA organized their first large event in Södertälje on September 4-5. With over 80 participants from industry and academia, the event provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and networking. 

From the left: Anders Sjögren (Polymerinstitute), Magnus Svensson (WISE), Oscar Engbom (Husqvarna), Lars Jerpdal (SCANIA), Joakim Wiedesheim ( polymerinstitute) and Thor Gardarsson (Thule Group).

SuPRA, which stands for Sustainable Polymer Research Arena, is an industry-academia collaboration aimed at fostering a transition toward more sustainable use of plastic. The initiative involves some of Sweden’s leading companies and universities, including Scania, Husqvarna Group, Thule Group, the Polymer Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Linköping University, Luleå University of Technology, Lund University, and Stockholm University. 

As the second WIRA (WISE Industrial Research Arena) supported by WISE, SuPRA provides a platform for Swedish industry and academia to collaboratively define and execute research projects. 

WIRA-SuPRA recently organized a two-day event in Södertälje on September 4-5. The event was dedicated to industry and academic research collaboration on sustainable polymer materials and manufacturing methods. The first day centered on insights and developments from the industry perspective, while the second day shifted focus towards academic research. With over 80 participants from both sectors, the event provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and networking. 

– It has been a great opportunity to look into the overall scenery in Sweden both industrial, even start-ups and academia and see how we all can contribute to develop industrial network in this country, says Carmen Cobo Sanchez, researcher at RISE.  

WIRA-SuPRA is deeply involved in research and education activities and is planning a conference on plastics next year.

– I appreciated very much the first WIRA-SuPRA event. Very exciting discussions and an excellent forum to make new contacts. I am very thankful of having the chance to present Nexam in such an interesting event, enthuses Christer Svanberg, CTO of Nexam Chemical. 

To learn more about WIRAs, visit

WIRA