Circular economy
Discover the thriving circular economy hub of the Nordics, where green and digital solutions are driving innovation. Join forces with the government, local businesses, and communities to create a
Circular Economy Businesses in Helsinki
Explore circular economy business opportunities in Helsinki, and lead the way towards solving global sustainability challenges.
Grow your circular economy business in Helsinki
The circular economy is a transformative approach to the way we consume, produce, and dispose of goods and services. It aims to reduce waste and pollution by keeping resources in use for as long as possible, and it represents a key solution to address the pressing global environmental challenges we face.
In Helsinki, the government, local businesses, and communities are working together to create a thriving circular economy that delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits. With supportive policies, an active research and development scene, and dedicated teams ready to help, there has never been a better time to grow your circular economy business in Helsinki.
Finland is number one when it comes to the quality of research and development. Our target is to reinvent COVEROSS® and our company, and Helsinki is a great location for that.
Moto Suzuki, CEO, hap co., ltd and COVEROSS Oy
Helsinki advantage
Textiles
Helsinki has a long and successful history in textile manufacturing and design. Helsinki 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.
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.
Batteries
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, companies gain access to advanced R&D partnerships, international networks, talent, and IPR investment opportunities.
Textiles
Helsinki has a long and successful history in textile manufacturing and design. Helsinki 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.
Finland is especially focused on researching new sustainable materials, digital innovations, new design strategies, circular economy management and sustainability impacts.
From 2025 onwards, an EU directive requires that all end-of-life textiles from consumers be separately collected. Helsinki aims to start collecting already in 2023. The amount of post-consumer waste in Finland is 13 kg per year per person.
The business ecosystem in Greater Helsinki is open, welcoming, and connected. At the moment, there is room for new businesses, particularly in waste textile collection and handling.
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.
EU regulation states that 50% of plastics should be in recirculation by 2025. Helsinki is on track to get all recyclable plastics in recirculation. In the process, the city is working with the private sector to develop solutions for reusing the plastic used in the region.
The Finnish government is taking concrete actions to solve the plastics problem. For example, the Ministry of Environment recently issued 1 million euros for testing and pilot projects derived from the plastics roadmap.
Finland has strong expertise in biomaterials, which has resulted in new packing solutions to replace plastics. Solutions for mechanical and chemical recycling enable the reuse of plastics. Virtual material design accelerates the R&D work.
There are opportunities for solutions and services that offer new alternatives for plastic packaging materials and waste sorting, develop recycling technologies and increase the reuse of materials.
Batteries
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, companies gain access to advanced R&D partnerships, international networks, talent, and IPR investment opportunities.
Finland is especially focused on researching new sustainable materials, digital innovations, new design strategies, circular economy management and sustainability impacts.
From 2025 onwards, an EU directive requires that all end-of-life textiles from consumers be separately collected. Helsinki aims to start collecting already in 2023. The amount of post-consumer waste in Finland is 13 kg per year per person.
The business ecosystem in Greater Helsinki is open, welcoming, and connected. At the moment, there is room for new businesses, particularly in waste textile collection and handling.
Active projects and opportunities
Telaketju
Textiles
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.
SynBio
Textiles
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 as other stakeholders and offers opportunities for partnering and co-creation
FINIX
Textiles
The Finix project produces new scientific research on the 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.
ExpandFibre
Textiles
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.
Circular economy businesses in Helsinki
New innovative materials and packaging
Sulapac
Sulapac® is a sustainable alternative to plastic. It is both beautiful and functional. Like nature. It biodegrades fully without leaving permanent microplastics behind.
Koepala
Innovative food packaging for sustainable and convenient meals. They use flat packaging design to reinvent single-portion food packaging.
Metgen
A new wave in bio-based materials. They are de-bottlenecking biorefineries and creating maximum value for biomass.
Read more about the circular economy in Helsinki
Contact Helsinki Partners
If you are interested in learning more about Helsinki and its possibilities – please contact us via the form here. We’ll make sure to get back to you within a few working days.