Testbed Helsinki

Circular Economy

Companies in construction, join us in developing the circular economy in Helsinki! Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster Program promotes circular economy in construction by launching pilots, developing tools and providing trainings.

Helsinki to pioneer in the circular economy

The circular economy is the best way to reduce emissions during construction and to curb the over-consumption of natural resources. Helsinki’s Circular Economy Cluster Program promotes circular economy innovations and business by bringing together operators in the construction sector.

Different sized companies, research institutes, universities and other organisations interested in promoting circular construction with concrete actions are welcome to join the cluster.

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Since the City of Helsinki has a strong role as a client, a real estate developer and a constructor, the Circular Economy Cluster Program focuses especially on promoting circularity in the construction sector. A large proportion of construction companies also operate in the Helsinki metropolitan area where material flows are vast and transportation costs remain reasonable – here, the reuse, recycling and processing of different construction products have the potential to develop into a profitable business.

Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster Program is involved in all stages of the circular economy in construction

Achieving a circular economy requires the whole sector to contribute, but there is still a shortage of know-how. That is why we need experimentation with new things, research-based information and the sharing of lessons learned. The Circular Economy Cluster Program supports practical experiments and cooperation between operators, and helps find new business opportunities.

Activities involve, e.g. designing for the circular economy, extending the life cycle, dismantling intact and reusing materials and building components.

See some project examples:

News

A summer view from Helsinki's Mustikkamaa island towards Kalasatama with residential buildings behind a birch branch in the foreground.

Circular economy solutions for construction as a service – propose your solution in the innovation challenge

With this innovation challenge, Helsinki’s circular economy cluster program and the KIRA growth programme are looking for construction services in accordance with the principles of circular economy, which companies in the construction sector could acquire to facilitate the reuse of construction products. The application period ends on 26 April.

The innovation challenge of the circular economy cluster introduced five new solutions to be tested

In September, Helsinki’s circular economy cluster program and Motiva Services launched an innovation challenge, seeking new solutions to speed up circular economy within construction. A total of 13 companies presented their pilot project proposals during the demo day on 4 December.
Blue and green toned concrete cubes under a pergola structure with the same colour scheme

The first Finnish park made nearly entirely of recycled materials piloted in Malminkartano

During the summer, Helsinki’s Circular Economy Cluster Program piloted Cubeco modules made from recycled raw materials in Malminkartano. This pilot project was a continuance to the concrete industry’s innovation challenge held last year, which aimed to find solutions for reusing demolition wool.
A construction site and blue skies reflected on a glass wall of a building

Carry out a circular economy pilot with construction professionals

Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster Program invites companies to join an innovation challenge, looking for pilot projects to promote the circular economy in the construction industry. The application period is open until 20 October 2023.
Building under demolition in Katajanokka from air, pictured towards Helsinki's city center

World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki looks for ways to develop sustainable business

The World Circular Economy Forum WCEF2023 will take place in Helsinki, Finland, from 30 May to 2 June 2023. The forum brings together the world’s leading circular economy players to present and seek business and government solutions to adapt our economic system to the limits of nature’s capacity. The Helsinki Circular Economy Cluster Program takes part in the forum.
Illustration of a storage building for outdoor sports facilities

Helsinki to build storage buildings for outdoor sports facilities from recycled materials – Lippa wins design competition

The City of Helsinki, together with the Department of Architecture at Aalto University, organised the Closing Loops design competition to promote the circular economy in construction. The competition was looking for a concept for a storage building for outdoor sports facilities in Helsinki, which could be built using building components and materials from the city’s own demolition sites. The winning entry was Lippa, which the panel of judges described as a project worth developing in terms of structure and urban image, and as a structured use of reusable building components.

Want to hear more?

  • Mira Jarkko

  • Project Manager
    Circular Economy Cluster Program
    City of Helsinki
    Business Helsinki, Innovation services

  • Eeva Jalovaara

  • Senior Advisor, architect
    Circular Economy Cluster Program
    City of Helsinki
    Business Helsinki, Innovation services

  • Mette Hiltunen

  • Senior Advisor
    Circular Economy Cluster Program
    City of Helsinki
    Business Helsinki, Innovation services