Helsinki’s first circular economy hub launched in Arabia
Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki brings companies together. The goal of the two-year project is to promote sustainable business and foster new circular economy innovations.
Helsinki’s first circular economy hub will be established in the Arabia industrial district. The hub aims to support various circular economy businesses and other organisations to network and develop their business. The project is initiated by the city’s innovation company Forum Virium Helsinki and Business Helsinki, with funding from the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.
The operational model for the hub is developed in partnership with the Arabia 135 block, managed by Varma. During the project, efforts will focus on establishing the hub’s activities and creating a business model for its continuation.
– The Arabia135 block breathes old industrial history. Our key goals in the development of the Arabia block have been to consider history and preservative construction. It is great that the block can also function as a collaborative space for new circular economy innovations, Varma’s Asset Manager Jenni Nivalainen.
Putting circular economy solutions into practice will help the city of Helsinki meet its carbon neutrality target by 2030. Circular economy projects in Helsinki are carried out in collaboration with businesses and residents. Helsinki aims to serve as a platform for innovative circular economy solutions that can also open new international opportunities.
– Climate change and overconsumption of natural resources increase the need for a circular economy. Circular economy practices include, for example, reusing industrial by-products as raw materials for other companies. Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki will help develop versatile solutions to global challenges, says Mira Jarkko, Chief Advisor from Business Helsinki’s Green Transition and New Technologies team.
Collaboration, new knowledge, and expert services for companies
According to a preliminary study commissioned by the City of Helsinki and Forum Virium Helsinki, circular economy companies need more collaboration.
– Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki offers an active ecosystem, expert services, collaboration opportunities with universities, innovation networks, and industry players, information on funding opportunities, as well as showroom, event, and production spaces for circular economy companies,” says Kaisa Spilling, Project Manager at Forum Virium Helsinki.
Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki directly addresses an identified need, as circular economy actors have not previously been brought together in a similar way. The hub operates both physically in the Arabia 135 block and as a virtual community. The operational model of the Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki also draws on examples from similar circular economy hubs across Europe.
