ReFlow Hackathon – Circularity Stems from Side Streams
Welcome to develop new solutions from process industry side streams!
The ReFlow Hackathon invites students, innovators and entrepreneurs to explore concrete ways to turn process industry side streams into circular economy products, or to co‑create entirely new service concepts related to material flows together with industrial companies operating in the Meri‑Lappi region. The hackathon will take place on 22 April 2026 in Jyväskylä, at Jamk’s Dynamo Campus.
Gather your team and register by 23 March 2026 with your idea! The top three teams will be awarded cash prizes.
Across Finland’s process industry, side streams represent a significant yet largely untapped resource for circular solutions. In the Meri‑Lappi region alone, the forest, metal, energy and mining industries generate up to 1.5 million tonnes of side streams each year.
To unlock this potential, several companies and research organisations in the region are working together in a joint development project. The aim is to identify and refine side streams into recycled nutrients, soil improvers, growth substrates and other biobased products, as well as fertilisers for agriculture and forestry.
The project partners include the Circular Economy Centre and Lapland University of Applied Sciences, as well as industrial companies operating in the Meri‑Lappi region that are interested in the circular economy and the new solutions it enables. These companies include Forest Vital, Metsä Group, NG Nordic, Oulun Energia, Pohjaset, SMA Mineral, Yara Eco and MTK.
In addition to circular economy products, teams may also develop entirely new ways to use existing material flows and create related service concepts for example logistics, sharing, maintenance or reuse services.
Do you have an idea for example on:
• turning a side stream into a new product
• improving nutrient recycling
• reusing materials in smarter ways
• enhancing process or resource efficiency
• creating entirely new applications based on your expertise
The more you have considered the practical aspects of your idea, such as implementation, logistics, legality or commercialisation, the stronger your proposal will be. Your solution does not need to be complete; a solid and credible idea is enough.
What are process industry side streams?
In industrial processes, large volumes of materials are generated as side streams. These are not the main products, but they are generated in large volumes — and can be reused, processed or transformed into new value.
Examples of common side streams in the process industry:
- Ash: A fine, mineral-rich residue left after combustion.
- Slag: A stone-like by-product formed in metal production.
- Sludges: Moist fractions originating from industrial processes or water treatment.
- Mineral-based side streams: Fine mineral fractions from mining and ore beneficiation.
Voit tutustua prosessiteollisuuden sivuvirtoihin tarkemmin netistä löytyvällä työkalulla: https://sidestreams.lovable.app/
The competition is open to Finland-based teams including:
- higher education students (e.g. natural resources, bioeconomy, environmental studies, chemistry, materials engineering and engineering fields)
- innovators and entrepreneurs interested in the circular economy
No prior expertise in side streams is required. Curiosity, creativity and a drive to develop solutions are enough. The teams are required to be Finland-based but may be international, with English as the working language.
Before you apply:
Form a team of 3–5 people, or go solo if you want to. Prepare a short description of your idea and explain how it uses a side stream and addresses the challenge.
Familiarise yourself with the participation rules by downloading the PDF.
The hackathon is commissioned by the Kiertotalouskeskus - Circular Economy Centre and Lapland University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with process industry companies Forest Vital, Metsä Group, NG Nordic, Oulun Energia, Pohjaset, SMA Mineral, Yara Eco and MTK. The event is organised by the Bio- and circular economy business accelerator BioBoosters.
More information:
Tuomas Pussila, Director Kiertotalouskeskus, Kem Digipolis Oy
tuomas.pussila[at]digipolis.fi | 050 461 1236
Anna Aalto, Senior Specialist, BioBoosters, Jamk
anna.aalto(at)jamk.fi | 040 640 2346
Kiertotalouskeskus - Circular Economy Centre
Led by Kemi's Digipolis, the Circular Economy Centre is Finland’s national competence centre for industrial circular economy. It helps companies develop circular business by providing expert support, guidance for funding applications, networking, and facilitating pilots and scaling. The Centre compiles and shares technical knowledge on side streams, materials and best practices, and works closely with companies, authorities and educational institutions.
Read more about Kiertotalouskeskus - Circular Economy Centre
Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Lapland UAS is Finland’s northernmost university of applied sciences, operating in Kemi, Rovaniemi and Tornio. The UAS invests strongly in research, development and education in the circular and bioeconomy — one of its strategic focus areas. Lapland UAS educates experts across multiple fields and conducts close RDI collaboration with companies and regional actors to advance sustainable well-being and competence in the Arctic region.
BioBoosters
BioBoosters is a business accelerator for the bio- and circular economy, aiming to create new business and globally significant solutions to combat climate change. Core activities include developing bio/circular economy business, enabling sustainable ventures based on new innovations, leveraging new technologies and digitalisation, nurturing talent and skills, and building company networks and ecosystems.