Circular economy takes off
Circular economy takes off
The Bio & Circular Economy is now advancing in a multidisciplinary manner and gaining momentum. Our region has a lot of potential to strengthen our vibrancy with the help of the emerging sustainable economy.
The strong legacy of Kymenlaakso industry and agriculture provide a solid foundation for building next-level manufacture and service business. Added value comes from the area’s logistical know-how and Kouvola’s highly competitive transportation corridor that connects Asia and Europe. Kouvola RRT is Finland’s only multimodal terminal featured in the EU’s TEN-T core network, linking with HaminaKotka, the largest export port in the country in terms of volume.
Versatile development & cooperation platforms connect different players for active collaboration. The platforms offer a clear-cut structure for companies, as well as education and research institutes and other actors, to help boost their business. Through close cooperation, smart processes are created that uncover different needs and find the suitable solutions.
The engine for the development of local Circular Economy is Hyötyvirta business area, located in the heart of Kymenlaakso. In addition, a digital operating environment is being built to drive the emerging network cooperation/development activity.
Reach goals via collaboration – join us!
Let’s find some common ground – and make sure we can hit the targets.
Hyötyvirta – Go with the flow!
Hyötyvirta business area is the strategic spearhead of the regional Bio & Circular Economy in Kouvola and Kymenlaakso. The main goal of Hyötyvirta is to boost business and promote sustainable growth. Hyötyvirta is also a comprehensive service and development concept, offered to current players and new investors alike, making extensive support available faster and more effectively.
Platform that lifts you up
At the core of the Hyötyvirta service package, there are the virtual and physical operating/development platforms that support green business operations. The platforms are built in close cooperation with educational institutes and research organizations. The virtual platform shares information, brings players together online and supports companies' development processes. The physical platform, on the other hand, consists of the Hyötyvirta business area, located in Keltakangas, Kouvola, right in the center of Kymenlaakso.
Ecosystem emerging
The Hyötyvirta business area is perfectly suited for industry and services. 
Plenty of plots are available (about 25 hectares) and the municipal infrastructure is already in place. Hyötyvirta promotes partnerships and cooperation in everyday activities. In the area, there are already significant players of the Bio & Circular Economy value chain; the development of local industrial symbioses is on-going. Ideas can turn into a profitable business very quickly, as different stages of processes receive added value from smart cooperation.
Xamk is developing its operations and R&D&I services in Southeast Finland. In this work, Hyötyvirta plays a central role.
The Hyötyvirta concept is being developed to meet the needs of local companies and to boost collaboration between players in Kouvola and beyond.
Kinno works in close contact with the companies, coordinating the Hyötyvirta concept and the regional cooperation.
Real support available
The development efforts can be focused more effectively with a real collaboration center, complete with flexible office and conference space and modern showrooms serving local companies. New exciting pilots and experimenting culture – achieved in cooperation with education players – complete the picture. The collaboration center is presently being planned.
The Hyötyvirta business area brings a ‘boots on the ground’ physical aspect to the concept, but with a broader perspective. Hyötyvirta is also very much about the virtual platforms and services that support business activities and partnerships. On virtual platforms, companies are able to test their ideas quickly, without heavy cost structure. Digital technologies enable location independence and networking without limits.
The low-carbon and climate targets – set by EU and/or Finland – impact everything we do, providing both the stick and the carrot, so to speak. Solving the challenges requires completely new tools; new types of partnerships need to emerge between the public sector, the corporate world and other actors.
It is also good to keep in mind that, in addition to the traditional sectors usually associated with the Circular Economy, this green theme has the power to impact just about any industry.
The future is ripe with opportunity; the innovative ideas of the local companies may well become the game-changers of tomorrow.