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Helsinki to open circular economy hub
Helsinki has identified the circular economy as a key means of achieving carbon neutrality goals and wants to ensure natural resources are used sustainably.
Helsinki is opening a circular economy hub, which will serve as a meeting place for circular economy enterprises and venue for events and presenting circular economy solutions.
The Arki 135 circular economy hub will be opened in the district of Arabianranta this month.
Circular economy cluster
Arki 135 aims to create a circular economy cluster, gathering insights and sharing competence and resources. It is being established by the Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki project and is partly funded by the European Union. The Economic Development Division of the City of Helsinki, Business Helsinki, and innovation company Forum Virium Helsinki are in charge of the project.
Helsinki has identified the circular economy as a key means of achieving its carbon neutrality goal by 2030. The successful implementation of a circular economy is supported by the city’s Action Plan for the Circular and Sharing Economy. According to its Helsinki’s Environmental Protection Targets, the city and businesses are expected to transition to a carbon-neutral circular economy by 2040, “in which natural resources are used sustainably and products and materials are kept in circulation for as long as possible”.
“As a forerunner in innovation-based business, we recognise the business opportunities offered by circular economy,” said City of Helsinki director of economic development, Marja-Leena Rinkineva. “With the help of projects like Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki, we can support circular economy companies in growth and make Helsinki a pioneer in circular economy.”
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The hub will run a programme of events, training sessions and networking opportunities for companies working in the circular economy. The space in itself serves as a circular economy showroom, reusing furniture already owned by the City and repaired by Pakila Work Centre.
Arki 135 is located in the former Arabia industrial block, which is currently known as a hub of creative makers and versatile services. The operating model has been developed in close cooperation with the operators in the Arabia 135 block and Varma, which manages the block. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the Uusimaa region will be selected to receive support from experts to operate their circular economy business.
“With the help of projects like Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki, we can support circular economy companies in growth and make Helsinki a pioneer in circular economy”
“The evolving Arabia 135 block has been developed based on conservative construction. The businesses, educational institutions and commercial services in the old industrial block create an interesting environment for creating something new,” said Varma’s asset manager Jenni Nivalainen.
“New companies and innovation in the field of circular economy are naturally suited to the creative block, where you can still sense the spirit of its manufacturing history. Cooperation with the City of Helsinki gives us an opportunity to bring more business to the block and create good cooperation opportunities between different operators.”
The Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki project is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
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