New products from waste and side streams
“Growth from the circulation with green techniques” (KASKI) project aims to develop a circular economy environment that can be replicated in different parts of Finland. The project will instigate investment activities for a circular economy centre in the Municipality of Ii. The goal is to utilise 98% of the materials, and to meet this goal a new kind of operating environment and tighter corporate network are necessary. The aim is to build the circular economy centre so that it is easy for companies to locate there, and the services are built to facilitate circular economy development. The project also develops a digital business network platform which is a collaboration of circular economic actors and networks both nationally and internationally. The need for this type of platform has been noticed in various circular economy forums. New business opportunities and growth can be achieved with cooperation and these new operating models. The project also implements material flow optimization to guarantee the results of the project.
The CircLab demonstration environment has created a solid foundation for the development of the nutrient cycle and circular economy. Based on the studies carried out in the CircLab project, it is possible to find new business opportunities in side streams. In the KASKI project, the plan is to research fish scales as a raw material to produce chitin and chitosan as well as purification of fish processing plant waters with the help of microalgae. Properties of produced algal biomass will be studied to understand the best application possibilities and business opportunities. The project explores new business opportunities and innovations around circular economy. The demonstration environment will be further developed by surveying the possibilities of establishing the first algal centre in Finland. This will require exploration of the business opportunities of algae technology as well as identifying the best practices of other European centres. In the KASKI project, the development of the circular economy transcends industrial boundaries, thus enabling finding new business cooperation and new business solutions that have the biggest employment impact.
University of Oulu: Chemical Process Engineering (CPE) research unit
Chemical Process Engineering (CPE) research unit combines in their research the methodologies of chemical and bioprocess engineering. The valorization of biomass, especially the technological gaps in the sustainable utilization of lignocellulosic biomass to biochemicals and biomaterials, are the core sources of inspiration for CPE’s research. The specific research areas of CPE include chemical and biochemical conversion of biomass, new products and processes for industrial water treatment and separation and recovery process synthesis and evaluation methodologies.
The team researches fish scales as a raw material to produce chitin and chitosan in the KASKI project. Chitosan can be utilised in multiple applications, such as water purification. CPE also investigates purification of fish processing plant waters with the help of microalgae, and the properties of produced algal biomass will be studied to understand the best applications and business opportunities. The CPE team is lead by Dr Tiina Leiviskä.
University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute: Regional Excellence (REx)
The research team contributes to evidence-based knowledge of regional growth factors, processes and structures. The research advances vitality and resilience of regions, availability of know-how and skilled labour and social, economic, and ecological sustainability.
The aim is to map out the potential material flows in northern Finland and improve the recyclability of materials. The Sääskenharju area will be developed according to the principles of circular economy and will utilise virgin materials as little as possible. The team tasks include researching side streams from the primary sector of the economy. The team is led by Research Director Ossi Kotavaara.
For more information
Project Manager Pihla Hasan
[email protected]
tel. +358 50 338 0983
Project Worker Kirsi Koivula
Business cooperation and circular economy solutions
[email protected]
tel. +358 50 374 9483
Senior research fellow, Docent Tiina Leiviskä
[email protected]
tel. +358 50 350 5231
Research Director Ossi Kotavaara
[email protected]
tel. +358 50 573 9124
In cooperation
Micropolis Oy, Iilaakso Oy, University of Oulu Chemical Process Engineering (CPE) Research Unit, University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute / Regional Excellence (REx)
Business partners are Laitakarin Kala Oy, Hätälä Oy, Kiertokaari Oy, Kekkilä-BVB Oy, GRK Suomi Oy, BioSO4, Voimalohi Oy, OAK Oy, Feasib Oy and Ii Waterworks (Iin vesiliikelaitos) and Pudasjärvi Waterworks (Pudasjärven vesiosuuskunta).
