Join one of Europe’s leading circular economy ecosystems
Find circular economy business opportunities in Helsinki, and lead the way towards solving global sustainability challenges.
Grow your circular economy business in Helsinki
Circular economy is an efficient tool to tackle climate change. It is also an important part on Finland and Helsinki’s path in reaching carbon neutrality by 2035. Finland was the first country in the world to put together a circular economy roadmap including essential measures and actions for the government, cities, businesses and residents. This, and Helsinki’s own roadmap paves the way for new sustainable business.
Finland has taken an active role in driving change both locally and on a global level. Government programs, EU agreements and new ecosystems are being created to back the existing supportive governmental policies, active R&D scene and lively local actors and networks.
We at Helsinki Business Hub are here for you. Whether you are looking to expand your business or are searching for investment, business or R&D opportunities, our dedicated team is ready to help you deep dive into the Helsinki circular economy ecosystem. Free of charge.
Within circular economy, there are opportunities especially in
reusing, recycling and creating new materials as well as optimising waste chains in
Textiles
From new fibres and materials to co-creating sustainable business
Finland has a long and successful history in textile manufacturing and design. While the production nowadays relies on small, trendy brands, the ecosystem around new innovation is booming. Finland has ambitious goals in reaching sustainability targets ahead of EU timelines, and the way forward to lowering the sector’s carbon footprint is outlined in the roadmap to carbon neutral textile industry.
Active projects and opportunities
Telaketju
Telaketju is a cooperation network that forwards textile recycling. The project includes developing the collection, sorting out and refining processes of end-of-life textiles.
Visit telaketju.turkuamk.fi for more info
SynBio
Synbio Powerhouse promotes the full power of biotechnology in sustainable industrial processes. The ecosystem includes companies, investors, scientists and students from several disciplines as well other stakeholders and offers opportunities for partnering and co-creation.
Visit synbio.fi for more info
FINIX
The Finix project produces new scientific research on sustainability aspects of textile systems. Based on that Finix helps co-creating resource-wise textile business in Finland in ways that promote global sustainable development.
Visit finix.aalto.fi for more info
ExpandFibre
ExpandFibre is a joint R&D programme launched by Fortum and Metsä Group, focusing on upgrading pulp fibre from renewable and sustainable sources of straw and northern wood into new bioproducts. Its ambition is to meet the growing demands for sustainable textile fibres and other added value biomaterials.
Visit expandfibre.com for more info
New Cotton Project
In a world first for the fashion industry, this three-year multi-stakeholder project will harness cutting edge chemical recycling technology to pilot and scale circular fashion within garment production.
Visit newcottonproject.eu for more info
Plastics
Helsinki is taking plastic circulation to the next level
Finland has created a national plastics roadmap to reduce the harm caused by plastics, avoid unnecessary consumption, increase the efficiency of plastics recycling and find alternative solutions. This roadmap introduces actions to use plastics in a sustainable way.
Active projects and opportunities
Package-Heroes
Package-Heroes is a research project which studies and develops packaging solutions, which address simultaneously food protection and the global and constantly increasing concern of plastic packaging waste.
Visit packageheroes.fi for more info
Closed Plastic Circle
The goal of the Closed Plastic Circle project is to get all recyclable plastic in the Helsinki metropolitan area and Lahti to circulate more efficiently. An ecosystem made up of actors in the private and public sectors is developing impactful actions to help reach the common goal.
Visit smartclean.fi for more info
Batteries
Finland pioneers in managing the whole battery value chain from minerals to reuse and recycling
As the country responsible for the development of European research of battery recycling, Finland offers exceptional opportunities in the circular economy of batteries. In Helsinki, the largest city of Finland, companies gain access to advanced R&D partnerships, international networks, talent, and IPR investment opportunities.
Active projects and opportunities
Batteries from Finland
Batteries from Finland program by Business Finland is aimed at growth-oriented companies and research organizations that work with battery materials, batteries, cells, battery applications or their recycling services. Participants receive internationalization and innovation-funding services and networking opportunities.
Visit businessfinland.fi for more info.
European Battery Alliance
European Battery Alliance (EBA250) promotes a strong, complete pan-European battery value chain, mandated by the European Commission. Its members get access to e.g. regulatory insights, business development opportunities, and market intelligence.
Visit eba250.com for more information.
Interested in other smart city related opportunities? Visit hbh.fi/smart-city to learn more.
