--- title: Material streams, research and industrial partners close to you description: Explore opportunities in South Karelia's bioeconomy, connecting research and industry to drive sustainable material solutions and innovative product development. image: https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Tehdaskuva%20iltavalaistus%20vihre%C3%A4%20maski.png --- [![Business Lappeenranta ja Imatra (1)](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20Lappeenranta%20ja%20Imatra%20(1).png?width=288&height=90&name=Business%20Lappeenranta%20ja%20Imatra%20(1).png "Business Lappeenranta ja Imatra (1)")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors) Show submenu for Sectors - [Data Economy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/data-economy) - [Hydrogen and P2X](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/hydrogen-and-p2x) - [Defence and Dual-use](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/defence-and-dual-use) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Technology Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/development-testing-and-manufacturing-in-one-business-network) - [Metal Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/manufacturing-expertise-close-to-industrial-supply-chains) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors) Show submenu for Sectors - [Data Economy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/data-economy) - [Hydrogen and P2X](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/hydrogen-and-p2x) - [Defence and Dual-use](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/defence-and-dual-use) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Technology Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/development-testing-and-manufacturing-in-one-business-network) - [Metal Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/manufacturing-expertise-close-to-industrial-supply-chains) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) Haku Hae - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/sektorit/biotalous) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/sektorit/biotalous) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) Haku Hae # Material streams, research and industrial partners close to you South Karelia in Finland combines forest industry expertise, LUT process research, LAB biomaterials development and energy solutions. Collaboration helps move new products towards industrial scale. ## Turn materials into business The industrial network across Lappeenranta, Joutseno, Imatra and Simpele connects feedstock production, processing, equipment manufacturing and research. UPM, Stora Enso, Metsä Group and Metso illustrate the region’s business clusters and international value chains. Opportunities include biobased materials, chemicals, packaging, new proteins, and water and nutrient circulation. Proximity to industry helps identify practical needs and assess the suitability of new solutions. ## Research connects materials, processes and energy LUT’s separation and process engineering support material processing, water treatment and resource efficiency. Energy and electrical engineering contribute process electrification, heat recovery and energy optimisation. LAB’s biomaterials development and pilot connections complement these capabilities. Kukkuroinmäki provides an environment for material treatment and circular economy cooperation. Links to P2X include biogenic carbon dioxide utilisation. Digital solutions support process control, while metal and technology companies contribute equipment and manufacturing. ![lut labra 01 copy, kuva Lappeenrannan kaupunki, Nitroid](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/lut%20labra%2001%20copy%2c%20kuva%20Lappeenrannan%20kaupunki%2c%20Nitroid.jpg?width=2000&height=1333&name=lut%20labra%2001%20copy%2c%20kuva%20Lappeenrannan%20kaupunki%2c%20Nitroid.jpg "lut labra 01 copy, kuva Lappeenrannan kaupunki, Nitroid") ![Skilled workforce in South Karelia Finland](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Ei-verkkosivuston%20kuvat%20(omat%20kampikset)/essi%20ja%20hanna%20vihre%C3%A4%20maski.png?width=1972&height=1219&name=essi%20ja%20hanna%20vihre%C3%A4%20maski.png "Skilled workforce in South Karelia Finland") ## A business ecosystem from material streams to new products UPM, Stora Enso and Metsä Group anchor the region’s forest industry and bioeconomy. Metso’s process technology and local equipment, service and maintenance companies complement industrial value chains. This business base connects material streams, production experience and new solution development. Greenreality Network brings energy and environmental companies together and helps identify connections for resource efficiency. Metalreality Network contributes equipment manufacturing and subcontracting expertise. These networks and research partners support collaboration across sectors in material processing, process renewal and side stream utilisation. ## From networks to piloting and establishment Greenreality Network and regional business and research partners help organise collaboration. Connections across Eastern Finland and national and international networks broaden expertise and commercialisation opportunities. We identify partners, pilot connections and locations. Material suitability, electricity and water needs, and heat recovery are assessed as part of the process. LAB and Sampo support laboratory and production skills. The aim is competitive production that uses natural resources efficiently. ![Liisa, Noora ja Rauno](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Liisa%2c%20Noora%20ja%20Rauno.jpg?width=1839&height=2000&name=Liisa%2c%20Noora%20ja%20Rauno.jpg "Liisa, Noora ja Rauno") Would you like to develop your sustainable bio-business in Finland? [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information?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** - [Front page](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/sektorit) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) [![business-lappeenranta-vaalea](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/business-lappeenranta-vaalea.png?width=400&height=200&name=business-lappeenranta-vaalea.png "business-lappeenranta-vaalea")](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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