Growing sustainable bioproducts from industrial side streams

By 2035, our vision is to transform side streams from the mining sector into products of higher value, fostering new types of future circular economy solutions and value chains for the interfaces between industries. Currently unsustainable growing media will be replaced by side stream -based growth media, creating more sustainable cultivation practices.

This interdisciplinary research project explores the feasibility and optimal utilization of side streams from the mining, forestry, and agriculture industries as raw materials for growing media and thermal insulation materials. Our goal is to address environmental concerns associated with traditional materials, reduce waste generation, provide alternatives to current materials, and promote circular economy principles by creating new cross-industrial value chains.

We will create an exceptional value chain of Finnish companies that will lead to the remarkable growth of exports. GROW project uniquely combines three research organizations closely working together with the companies, and world-class international partners to further strengthen the expertise of the consortium. The company partners comprise current and potential suppliers of mineral side streams (Yara Suomi, Sibelco Nordic, Sokli, and LKAB Minerals), technology providers and developers (Sulzer Pumps Finland, Fiber-X Finland, and Lakome), and a product manufacturer (Ekovilla).