--- title: Building Bioeconomy Growth Together – Lappeenranta’s BioHUBI Strengthens National Collaboration description: Lappeenranta's BioHUBI fosters national collaboration to boost bioeconomy growth, connecting regional expertise with new business opportunities and innovation. image: https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/20260909_131152.jpg --- [![Business-Lappeenranta-imatra-Region-combo-logo-RGB-valko-vihrea-oranssi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Logot/Business-Lappeenranta-imatra-Region-combo-logo-RGB-valko-vihrea-oranssi.png?width=192&height=60&name=Business-Lappeenranta-imatra-Region-combo-logo-RGB-valko-vihrea-oranssi.png "Business-Lappeenranta-imatra-Region-combo-logo-RGB-valko-vihrea-oranssi")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Themes](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes) Show submenu for Themes - [Energy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/energy) - [ICT](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/ict) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/bioeconomy) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Services](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/services) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/yhteystiedot) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Themes](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes) Show submenu for Themes - [Energy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/energy) - [ICT](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/ict) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/bioeconomy) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Services](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/services) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/yhteystiedot) Haku Hae - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/building-bioeconomy-growth-together-lappeenrantas-biohubi-strengthens-national-collaboration) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/biotalouden-kasvua-rakennetaan-yhdessä-lappeenrannan-biohubi-kytkeytyy-valtakunnalliseen-yhteistyöhön) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/building-bioeconomy-growth-together-lappeenrantas-biohubi-strengthens-national-collaboration) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/biotalouden-kasvua-rakennetaan-yhdessä-lappeenrannan-biohubi-kytkeytyy-valtakunnalliseen-yhteistyöhön) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) Haku Hae ![Building Bioeconomy Growth Together – Lappeenranta’s BioHUBI Strengthens National Collaboration](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/20260909_131152.jpg) 15.10.2026 | [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/tag/bioeconomy) # Building Bioeconomy Growth Together – Lappeenranta’s BioHUBI Strengthens National Collaboration Lappeenranta's BioHUBI fosters national collaboration to boost bioeconomy growth, connecting regional expertise with new business opportunities and innovation. ## *Share* - [mailto:?&subject=Building%20Bioeconomy%20Growth%20Together%20–%20Lappeenranta’s%20BioHUBI%20Strengthens%20National%20Collaboration&body=Building%20Bioeconomy%20Growth%20Together%20–%20Lappeenranta’s%20BioHUBI%20Strengthens%20National%20Collaboration%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fbusinesssouthkarelia.fi%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fbuilding-bioeconomy-growth-together-lappeenrantas-biohubi-strengthens-national-collaboration)](mailto:?&subject=Building%20Bioeconomy%20Growth%20Together%20–%20Lappeenranta’s%20BioHUBI%20Strengthens%20National%20Collaboration&body=Building%20Bioeconomy%20Growth%20Together%20–%20Lappeenranta’s%20BioHUBI%20Strengthens%20National%20Collaboration%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fbusinesssouthkarelia.fi%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fbuilding-bioeconomy-growth-together-lappeenrantas-biohubi-strengthens-national-collaboration)) - - - New business opportunities in the bioeconomy are not created by individual regions or organisations working alone. They emerge when companies, research institutions, piloting facilities, development organisations and regional ecosystems bring together their expertise, resources and networks. This was a key message from the **Bioeconomy Network 2030 – Driving Growth in Eastern Finland** event, held in Lappeenranta on 9 September 2026. Organised alongside Future Energy Solutions, the event brought together companies, universities, cities, regional development agencies and representatives of national innovation and research networks from across Finland. The discussions revealed **a shared ambition to strengthen cooperation between regions and move towards a nationwide bioeconomy and circular economy network.** The focus is firmly on creating tangible business value: developing new value chains, accelerating technology commercialisation, connecting companies with the right partners and opening doors to international markets. Lappeenranta is playing an active role in this development. The region has already laid a strong foundation through initiatives such as LAB University of Applied Sciences’ Biofine project and the Greenreality Network. Building on this work, **BioHUBI** is being developed within the Greenreality Network to bring together bioeconomy stakeholders in Lappeenranta and South Karelia, while connecting regional expertise with national and international opportunities. ## Bringing Together Expertise to Drive Bioeconomy Growth The event offered a broad perspective on how regional development, research, industry, piloting and innovation ecosystems can work together to accelerate bioeconomy growth. **Noora Aulike**, Development Manager at the City of Lappeenranta and coordinator of the Greenreality Network, introduced Lappeenranta’s ecosystem development activities and the ongoing preparations for BioHUBI. **Laura Peuhkuri**, Regional Development Manager at the Regional Council of South Karelia, highlighted the region’s strong industrial base and the growing importance of the bioeconomy and circular economy as drivers of future growth. **Liisa Peri** from LAB University of Applied Sciences shared insights from company interviews conducted as part of the LAB Biofine project. The findings highlighted several barriers to business growth, particularly challenges related to commercialisation, piloting, scaling up and financing, as well as fragmented expertise and networks. One clear priority emerged: companies need a more straightforward pathway from research and innovation to piloting, demonstration and ultimately industrial-scale production. ![Liisa, Noora ja Rauno](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Liisa%2c%20Noora%20ja%20Rauno.jpg?width=447&height=486&name=Liisa%2c%20Noora%20ja%20Rauno.jpg) *Pictured from left to right: Liisa Peri (LAB University of Applied Sciences), Noora Aulike (City of Lappeenranta) and Rauno Hatakka (DIMECC).* The programme also featured perspectives from industry and practical piloting. **Luis Rudolphy** from Metso discussed the importance of industrial technologies, energy and water efficiency, and modernising industrial processes. In a video message, **Niko Jokela and Joonas Soikkeli** from PilotBridge highlighted the critical gap between research and the first industrial implementation. **Seppo Tossavainen** from the City of Joensuu presented the Forest Joensuu innovation ecosystem, demonstrating how research, education, businesses and development organisations can be brought together to support shared growth objectives. Together, the presentations reinforced a central message: **building a competitive business environment and turning promising ideas into real business opportunities requires close collaboration between companies, research organisations, cities and regional development partners.** The discussions also made it clear that no single region needs to offer every capability, facility or network on its own. **By combining complementary strengths, regional ecosystems can provide companies with access to a much broader range of expertise, research, piloting infrastructure, financing, customers and international connections.** This is also the thinking behind Lappeenranta’s BioHUBI. Building on the work of LAB Biofine and the Greenreality Network, the initiative aims to connect regional stakeholders with wider national and international networks. Its primary focus is to work closely with companies to identify and develop concrete opportunities that can lead to new business, investments and international growth. ## National Collaboration Gives Finland the Scale to Compete Globally The event concluded with a presentation by **Rauno Hatakka**, Sales Director at DIMECC, who explored the potential of a national bioeconomy and circular economy ecosystem as a competitive advantage for Finland. A major challenge identified in DIMECC’s proposed approach is the fragmentation of the current ecosystem. Finland has extensive expertise, strong regional clusters and many promising initiatives, but **succeeding in global markets calls for closer national cooperation, stronger connections across value chains and greater scale.** The vision is to develop a business-driven national ecosystem that brings together companies and organisations across the entire value chain, accelerating innovation, commercialisation and sustainable growth. Such collaboration would create different opportunities for different stakeholders. Industrial companies could benefit from access to specialised expertise, shared piloting facilities and reduced development risks. Technology and solution providers could reach new customers and markets, while research organisations could establish more direct links with industry needs and emerging business opportunities. The discussions underlined the importance of **building the next phase together with existing regional ecosystems, companies, higher education institutions and national partners.** Rather than creating parallel structures, the aim is to connect and strengthen what already exists. The City of Lappeenranta and LAB University of Applied Sciences have already taken an active role in preparing this wider collaboration. > “It has been inspiring to help strengthen collaboration between the City of Lappeenranta, companies and higher education institutions in developing the bioeconomy ecosystem. Being involved in DIMECC’s national ecosystem initiative has also provided a valuable opportunity to build bridges between regional strengths and support business growth and internationalisation,” says Liisa Peri from LAB University of Applied Sciences. ## From Regional Strengths to Shared International Opportunities **The most significant outcome of Bioeconomy Network 2030 was a shared commitment to moving forward together.** Participants recognised the value of stronger national cooperation and the opportunity to connect regional ecosystems into a more effective network for business development and international growth. Lappeenranta’s **BioHUBI aims to become one of the regional hubs within this wider network**, bringing together South Karelia’s industrial base, companies, research expertise and piloting capabilities. At the same time, it will help local businesses access a broader network of national and international partners, expertise and opportunities. The event also highlighted an important principle: no single region can address all the challenges or opportunities of bioeconomy growth independently. Different regions bring different strengths to the table. Some specialise in research, others offer advanced piloting infrastructure, established industrial clusters or strong connections to international markets. By connecting these complementary capabilities, Finland can create a more competitive and internationally connected bioeconomy ecosystem – one that helps companies move from ideas to industrial solutions, develop new value chains, attract investment and scale their businesses into global markets. ## Further Information **Noora Aulike** Development Manager Economic Development Services City of Lappeenranta noora.aulike@lappeenranta.fi **Liisa Peri** Product Manager Technology LAB University of Applied Sciences [liisa.peri@lab.fi](mailto:liisa.peri@lab.fi) ## Saattaisit myös pitää ### [![Building Bioeconomy Growth Together – Lappeenranta’s BioHUBI Strengthens National Collaboration](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/20260909_131152.jpg) *15.10.2026 | Biotalous* Biotalouden kasvua rakennetaan yhdessä – Lappeenrannan BioHUBI kytkeytyy valtakunnalliseen yhteistyöhön](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/biotalouden-kasvua-rakennetaan-yhdess%C3%A4-lappeenrannan-biohubi-kytkeytyy-valtakunnalliseen-yhteisty%C3%B6h%C3%B6n?hsLang=en) ### [![ETD Finland Oy:n henkilöstö](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/ETD%20Finland%20ryhm%C3%A4kuva.jpg) *12.10.2026 | ICT ja datatalous* ETD Finland rakentaa Lappeenrannasta käsin digitaalisen yhteiskunnan näkymätöntä selkärankaa](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/etd-finland-rakentaa-lappeenrannasta-k%C3%A4sin-digitaalisen-yhteiskunnan-n%C3%A4kym%C3%A4t%C3%B6nt%C3%A4-selk%C3%A4rankaa?hsLang=en) ### [![Building Bioeconomy Growth Together – Lappeenranta’s BioHUBI Strengthens National Collaboration](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Mustola%204.jpg) *2.10.2026 | Energia ja vihreä sähkö* Lappeenrannan teollisuusalueita kehitetään seuraavaa kasvuvaihetta varten](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/lappeenrannan-teollisuusalueita-kehitet%C3%A4%C3%A4n-seuraavaa-kasvuvaihetta-varten?hsLang=en) Contact info Helena Laitinen City of Lappeenranta tel. 045 602 0140 helena.laitinen@lappeenranta.fi   Janne Saharinen Imatran Seudun Kehitysyhtiö Oy Puh. 050 584 6294 janne.saharinen@kehy.fi **Sitemap** - [Etusivu](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi) - [Teemat](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/teemat) - [Artikkelit](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit) - [Yritystarinat](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yritystarinat) - [Ota yhteyttä](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot) [![Business-Lappeenranta-Region-logo-RGB-valkoinen](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Logos/Business-Lappeenranta-Region-logo-RGB-valkoinen.svg "Business-Lappeenranta-Region-logo-RGB-valkoinen")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) [![BIR\_logo\_logo\_oranssi-valkoinen](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Logot/BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen.png?width=153&height=100&name=BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen.png "BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) ![Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Logos/Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR.jpg "Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR") Sivusto on luotu osana "Kotisatama Etelä-Karjalaan - Maakunnallisen sijoittumismyynnin kehittäminen" -hanketta. 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