Case Finland | Marketplace for biobased side streams

Authors: Riina Kärki and Nora Berglund, MTK

The digital marketplace, KiertoaSuomesta.fi (Circular Finland) was developed and published by the TREASoURcE project in summer 2023 to promote the use of biobased side streams from agriculture, forestry, industry operators, and municipalities. The aim is to create new business opportunities and to increase the functionality of the circular economy in the utilization of biomaterials.

The future circular bioeconomy must be based on the efficient use of raw materials that also supports the use of local resources. In cooperation with farmers, industries, municipalities, and regions, the TREASoURcE project aims to support market development for biobased side and waste streams through a newly launched digital marketplace.

The use of biobased side streams from agriculture – such as manure, straw and grass biomass – has great potential for improvement. These materials are good feedstocks for biogas plants and various biorefineries. Waste, such as municipal biowaste or sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, can also be used as part of a biobased system. The streams can be turned into energy and new products that can add significant value. Fossil fuels can in turn be used less and the environmental impact can be reduced.  

Developing a marketplace 

The KiertoaSuomesta.fi marketplace was first launched in 2019. It did not reach its potential as expected. Development was started again in the TREASoURcE project and from the beginning in close cooperation with farmers, as the focus of the site was on agricultural biomasses. One of the key considerations was to simplify the marketplace to make it easy to use, secure and reliable. 

Stakeholder involvement was carried out by organizing workshops, sending out questionnaires and through interviews and trials with possible future users. This gathered information about their hopes and wishes for the website’s features. In addition, information was gathered on the challenges faced in exploiting and selling side streams. These included logistics, an immature market for biobased materials and a lack of awareness of the potential to utilize the streams. 

Marketplace features 

KiertoaSuomesta.fi digital marketplace is targeted to biobased side and waste streams generated from agriculture, forestry, industry operators and municipalities. The users of the streams are, for instance biogas plants, recycled fertilizer manufacturers, biorefineries, the alcohol industry, etc., who are buyers or recipients of materials from the marketplace. 

The platform can also be used to list contracting services and for animal feed trade. The aim of KiertoaSuomesta.fi is to create new business opportunities for primary producers in a convenient way. Farms will be able to generate additional income by selling side streams and industrial operators will be provided with new raw materials.  

The user groups of the KiertoaSuomesta.fi marketplace

Active collaboration 

Active collaboration with different stakeholders has been an important part in both the development of the marketplace and also in marketing the site. Cooperation has been conducted with projects, companies, public bodies, scientific community, students, and associations. This cooperation has been beneficial; it gives strength to achieve common goals to promote the circular economy. It is also important in raising awareness of possibilities and in promoting market demand for biobased materials. 

Most recent collaboration has been with university students. A group of computer science students from the University of Helsinki has produced a logistics tool for the marketplace, which will allow the search for a logistics service directly from the marketplace, which will be published during 2024.  

The value chain of biobased side and waste streams

Future plans for the marketplace 

The development of KiertoaSuomesta.fi is an ongoing dynamic process. Determination to closely monitor developments in the sector, remain open to user feedback and ensure that the service provides genuine added value to all its users is important and requires proactive involvement.  

Marketing is crucial in the scaling up phase of such a marketplace and requires commitment and active involvement. The future looks bright as we continue to move forward towards more sustainable and efficient use of biobased side streams.