Sinituote and Arcada develop Finland's first reed-based cleaning product

Published: 07.10.2025 / Research / Sustainable and functional materials

Researchers at Arcada University of Applied Sciences have developed a reed composite that, in collaboration with Sinituote, can be used to produce cleaning products. The cleaning product, a handle holder for cleaning tools, is made from ground reed from the Baltic Sea and plastic. Harvesting and using reeds industrially reduces nutrients in the Baltic Sea and at the same time increases the number of environmentally friendly products on the market.

The Baltic Reed project, which aims to increase the harvesting and reuse of coastal reeds, has developed a reed composite by mixing polymer and reeds to reduce the amount of fossil-based plastic in various plastic-based products. The first Finnish product made from reed composite is a handle holder for cleaning tools, which was created in collaboration with Sinituote. The handle holder was manufactured at Arcada Sustainability and Tech Lab.

‘At Sinituote, we want to contribute to projects that take us towards a cleaner world. Some fossil-based plastic can be replaced with composite materials made from reeds, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of plastic products,’ says Jarkko Heino, department manager, at Sinituote.

Why reeds?

There is no single solution to the future challenges of the circular economy, but the use of renewable natural resources can be part of it – by reducing plastic use and increasing the positive environmental effects when reeds are harvested.

‘Adding reeds to products made entirely of fossil-based plastic reduces the use of fossil-based carbon. In addition, material recycling is constantly evolving, and it is already possible to recycle biocomposite materials today,’ says Paula Linderbäck, principal lecturer in circular economy, at Arcada.

‘The threshold for starting to use reed composite materials is not that high, as products can be manufactured using existing equipment and no major investments are required,’ says Heino.

The properties of the composite, combined with the design of the product, determine the quality of the final product – in this case, the reed can make the material stronger. Both Heino and Linderbäck see biocomposites as an interesting material – not only for their potential to replace plastic, but also for the beneficial properties they offer.

‘Products made from reed composites can achieve properties that were not possible with the plastic materials used previously,’ continues Heino.

Using reeds reduces nutrient loading in the Baltic Sea

Today, too many nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, are being released into the Baltic Sea, leading to eutrophication in the sea. An excess of nutrients and changes in land use along our coasts have led to reeds taking over large areas in some places.

‘Reeds bind carbon and nutrients, so by harvesting, collecting and utilising them, we can effectively reduce the nutrient load in the Baltic Sea,’ says project manager Sonja Jaari from the John Nurminen Foundation.

Reed beds also have an important ecological function – they serve as habitats for birds and as spawning grounds for fish, among other things.

‘The reeds must be harvested in an ecologically sustainable way so that valuable habitats are not damaged,’ Jaari continues.

With the first pilot product in reed composite fully developed, the research at Arcada continues with development of applications for the material in collaboration with industrial partners.

Download photos of the pilot product

Download video of the pilot product