Mirka Accelerates Data-Driven Circularity Through DIM
As a global leader in surface finishing technologies, Mirka is widely recognized for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. With production rooted in Finland and customers around the world, Mirka designs and manufactures advanced abrasive solutions that enable efficient and responsible surface finishing.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in our strategy, from reducing emissions to increasing material circularity. The DIM initiative provides an excellent opportunity to accelerate this work in collaboration with leading companies and research institutions. For Mirka, participating in DIM is a natural extension of our long-term sustainability journey and our SHAPE program, through which we systematically improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and adopt technologies that support sustainable growth.
Within the DIM project, Mirka leads Workstream 7 (WS7): Data-driven Circularity, a topic that is central to the future of industrial sustainability. This workstream builds on a major transformation already underway at Mirka: our shift from a traditional linear production model to a circular one. By combining data, digital capabilities, and circular material flows, we aim to set a new standard for sustainable abrasive manufacturing. A cornerstone of this transformation is the CIGMA project, an investment in a groundbreaking circular abrasives plant in Jeppo. The facility will recycle waste streams from both production and end-users, converting them into fully circular abrasive grains. This will significantly reduce dependence on virgin raw materials and lower the COâ‚‚ footprint of abrasive production.
Currently, the focus in WS7 is on assessing the existing digital landscape and identifying how it can support future circular manufacturing. One key area is predictive maintenance, for which we have initiated a use case that will be shared with DIM partners. Predictive maintenance enables a shift from reactive or scheduled maintenance to data-driven, condition-based decisions. By leveraging sensors, historical data, and advanced analytics, it can detect early signs of equipment failure before breakdowns occur. This reduces unplanned downtime, lowers maintenance costs, extends asset lifespan, and improves both operational efficiency and safety.
In industries where equipment reliability is critical, predictive maintenance plays a direct role in improving productivity and cost control. Within DIM, this use case represents one of the many building blocks of a future connected factory, such as the CIGMA facility. The insights gained from this proof of concept will support our ambition to enhance efficiency not only through increased circularity, but also by ensuring more stable and reliable operations with fewer unexpected disruptions.
Sustainability at Mirka is guided by clear long-term goals, and collaborations like DIM help in advancing this trajectory. For us, DIM is not a standalone effort, but part of a broader set of strategic initiatives including SHAPE, CIGMA, and the continuous development of our production and supply chain capabilities. Together, these efforts drive our transition towards a more digital, circular, and sustainable future.
By combining circularity, data, and ecosystem collaboration, we are helping to build a future where manufacturing is not only more competitive, but also significantly more sustainable. We are proud to contribute to the DIM initiative and look forward to sharing our progress as we help shape the next era of Finnish manufacturing.
This article was featured in: MEX Finland