Case studies on advanced industrial symbiosis between companies aimed at helping regional SMEs make better use of waste streams, secondary raw materials, excess energy, spare room, etc. either by themselves or in partnership with neighbouring companies. 

A service aimed at boosting regional SMEs by helping them better understand the potential uses of side and waste streams. The SME completes the survey (interview) to gain a better picture of its production and processes in order to find possible secondary raw materials, excess energy, spare capacity, etc. that could either be better used on their premises or offered to neighbouring companies as part of a symbiotic partnership.

A library containing physical material samples and a digital database of their mechanical and thermal properties, for example. The focus is on recycled materials produced in the region or those originating from outside the region, but relevant to regional companies.

Kouvola Innovation works to promote the circular economy in Finland according to the needs of local companies, the community and its residents, while considering the opportunities and potential inherent to the region. The initiative helps companies network across different sectors and it encourages cross-border cooperation opportunities.

Guidance about resource efficiency including information on available services, tools and financing in Finland. One key aim at Kouvola Innovation is to help local companies come up with new circular economy concepts, products and services.

Kouvola Innovation in Finland develops new expertise, brings players together and builds networks that implement circular economy solutions. Support for the creation of industrial symbiosis, data collection, and workshops.

This type of material audit is a practical tool for companies to improve the efficiency of their operations and manage their material flows better. The audit is a systematic evaluation of material flows in production, tracing direct and indirect costs, and identifying areas where improvements could be made. The audit results in a list of measures and calculations illustrating where efficiency gains can lead to cost-savings and increased profitability.

Energy auditing is a good method to improve energy use and, through it, make important cost savings. By improving energy effiency the burden on the environment decreases. This audit model is developed for industrial SMEs to lower the threshold for auditing. The model is cost-efficient for the clients and for the energy auditors. The model has two-steps:

Companies that have joined the voluntary energy efficiency agreement scheme for the technology, food and drink, chemicals, and hotel and restaurant sectors can also obtain individual energy efficiency advice. The support for companies is provided by Motiva, Finland and it is funded by the relevant industry associations jointly with the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. 

The Environmental Economic Benchmarking Database (Ökobench) offers a tried-and-tested resource-efficiency benchmarking tool, developed with SME needs firmly in mind. They can identify good practices and processes by comparing their economic and environmental efficiency performance with benchmarks in their industry.