Finnish circular economy solutions showcased at World Circular Economy Forum

Article

11 April, 2024 09:00 EEST

Inka Orko

Finland, a pioneer in circular economy, will be a prominent participant in the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) organised in April. Finland will showcase new circular economy innovations and cooperation models at the Forum. VTT is also participating in the Circular Economy Super Week.

WCEF is the world’s leading event for circular economy, aimed at decision-makers, experts and investors. Organised by Sitra, WCEF will take place from 15 to18 April 2024 in Brussels, showcasing the most impactful circular solutions from around the world. Online participation is open to everyone.

Finnish circular innovations and cooperation possibilities

The expo area at the World Circular Economy Forum 2024 will bring into the spotlight circular economy solutions from around the world. Finland is presenting its circular innovations at the expo under the theme "Local Solutions Are Born Here". Our Finland-stand offers the opportunity to discover circular economy innovations and build cooperation with Finnish actors.

The stand will showcase business solutions for the circular economy, the role of the public sector in the circular economy transition, innovation ecosystems and the materials revolution. Aircohol, Borealis, Carbofex, Carbonaide, Emmy, Lounais-Suomen Jätehuolto, Make a BIM, Niimaar, Rester, Twice, Verte and Wastewise Group will showcase their circular economy innovations.

“We welcome everyone at our stand, and we look especially forward to meeting circular economy projects and companies, to present Finnish circular solutions and explore joint activities,” says Anne Vasara, Finnish Ambassador for Circular Economy and Green Transition.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a leading developer of practical solutions to circular economy. VTT is present at the Finnish booth presenting e.g., high-quality plastic recyclates made with a unique state-of-the-art advanced mechanical recycling line VAREX.

“Plastics recycling rate is still low, and we lose value in incineration of the material. We need a holistically optimized sorting and pretreatment scheme, and winning technologies to bring the quality of the recycled material to the current standards. VTT’s new multi-materials piloting and development platform offers this opportunity to forerunner companies,” says Inka Orko, Head of business development at VTT.

Tools for circular economy

The winning concept for circularity and public-private partnerships are the topics of Finland's Accelerator Session on Wednesday 17 April at the Nordic Stage. The session, organised by Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Valley, focuses on sharing the formula of functioning innovation ecosystems and public-private partnerships facilitating scalable, innovative circular solutions which lead to system change.

In Finland, cities, municipalities and counties act as innovation platforms and support new circular economy solutions, for example in land use and by creating new markets. Regional development companies are also important actors laying the foundations for circular economy and regional business cooperation.

The Accelerator Session features examples of innovative circular economy solutions from regions and companies, implemented in close cooperation between the public and private sectors. The Accelerator Session features examples of innovative circular economy solutions from various regions and companies, implemented in close cooperation between the public and private sectors.

“During this session, you will hear about existing solutions from Finland and gain access to toolboxes on how to implement these solutions in other regions and cities, as well,” says Simo Karetie, Project Manager of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Valley.

Participation in the Accelerator Session is possible both onsite in Brussels and online. The Accelerator Session will take place on Wednesday 17 April CET from 14.45 to 16.00, Finnish time from 15.45 to 17.00.

The Finnish programme for the WCEF exhibition and Accelerator Session has been designed in cooperation of the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Business Finland, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the development company Posintra, the Regional Councils of Häme, Pirkanmaa, Päijät-Häme and Southwest Finland and Business Tampere, Circular Pirkanmaa, Turku University of Applied Sciences and the cities of Turku and Paimio.