Why should I get involved?
Farmers, forest owners, and fish processors:
In the Kristinestad region, we are creating new business opportunities for primary producers by developing products based on their side streams, as existing companies are unable to take advantage of new green transition business opportunities, and many primary producers need additional income.
We offer benefits for you, whether you work in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries.
- The current use of your by-products—such as vegetable scraps, logging residues, and fish offal—may come to an end at some point. For example, as fur farming declines, gutting waste can no longer be fed to minks. Through us, you can discover new applications for these materials.
- Today, your side streams may generate little income or go to waste. Through us, you can find new ways to generate income from your side streams.
- You can sell or otherwise utilise your side streams through us without having to spend too much of your own time on sales work.
- You can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that waste products are being put to good use.
Researchers:
We are promoting the launch of higher education research and teaching in Kristinestad and developing the KristinaEco Living Lab environment. We are developing a Triple Helix operating model that brings together the public sector, companies, and higher education institutions to create innovative business models and product. At the same time, we will work with educational institutions to draw up a research and teaching plan that utilises the region’s companies and their labour needs.
We offer unique opportunities to conduct research in new ways. We are open to universities, universities of applied sciences, and other research institutions.
- You will have the opportunity to assemble and, if necessary, coordinate a large research organisation capable of implementing various research options. The organisation includes primary producers, processors, and product users. This will allow us to
- understand the perspective of primary producers
- staying up to date with general business perspectives
- expertise in establishing new business
- more diverse contacts.
- In research projects, you can try out new ways of working: researchers can follow the progress of their own development work all the way to commercialisation.
- We use the Living Lab concept: researchers can collaborate on research by testing their ideas for new products in the everyday work of primary producers and further processing companies.
Processing companies and companies introducing new products to their business:
Our goal is to create a KristinaEco Living Lab environment that enables companies to develop and grow their products and operations. KristinaEco, which focuses on the bio-circular economy, supports the strengthening of new green transition companies in Kristinestad and offers companies the opportunity to develop new business models together with researchers and primary producers.
Our work can benefit start-ups, large companies, and even cooperatives. Anyone can join, whether the goal is further processing of side streams, additional sales, or distribution elsewhere in an off-taker role.
- Your company has the opportunity to innovate. You can conduct development work partially with project funding, participate in development activities, and test new business models in a real operating environment.
- We can find raw material suppliers for newly developed products.
Technology suppliers:
The KristinaEco Living Lab we have established develops our own expertise in organic chemistry and carbon compounds, and our ability to develop new industrial symbioses, related value chains, and business operations. KristinaEco also generates added value for companies by providing services outside their core business, either independently or through partnerships.
Cooperation with us offers various benefits for developers of new technologies.
- Your company can test its own technology and its scalability (Testbeds).
- You can increase the technological maturity of your products (Technology Readiness Level, TRL).
- Your company can grow new business.
- Your company can gain new visibility for its products.