Welcome to the first Nordic Circular Hotspot 2021 seasonal event. On March 24, we will launch the Nordic Circular Hotspot’s Partnership Programme and warmly welcome our first Finnish partner, Business Finland, the government organisation for innovation funding and trade, travel and investment promotion. Join in to learn about the FinnishBioCircular approach to circular value creation, and find out how you can join the circular movement.

The greenest country on the planet, Finland has world-class know-how in developing innovative bio-based products and technologies. It is also a world leader in circular solutions, which help solve local and global problems. For example, everything that is made out of oil today can be made out of wood tomorrow—and Finland is already doing it! As a small Nordic nation, it has always been in Finland’s nature to preserve what is valuable. The Finns have the resources, expertise and know-how to create, launch and scale world-changing innovations.

Join us to learn about their approach to the bio and circular transition, both from a public and private-sector perspective. What can we learn from Finland? What is the potential for Finnish BioCircular innovation in the Nordic market today and vice versa?

Following a 10-minute break, we will present to you the Nordic Circular Hotspot’s brand-new Partnership Programme. Learn more about our attractive partnership opportunities and how you can join the region’s rapidly-growing circular economy movement. We look forward to seeing you at our exciting—and first—joint Nordic Circular Hotspot - Business Finland webinar of the new year.

Time: March 24, 2021, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CET
Organiser: Nordic Circular Hotspot in collaboration with Business Finland
Moderated by Nordic Circular Hotspot’s Managing Partners: Einar Kleppe Holthe (CEO, Natural State), Marika Ollaranta (Head, BioCircular Programme, Business Finland) and Cathrine Barth (Founder, Circularities)

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Agenda

Part One

• Circular Nordics 2021
  Einar Kleppe Holthe, CEO
  Natural State

• Inger Johanne Wiese, Senior Advisor
  Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment

• BioCircular Finland opening words
  Marika Ollaranta, Head, BioCircular Programme
  Business Finland

• Finnish BioCircular Innovation Roadmap
  Jarmo Heinonen, Senior Director, Innovation Ecosystems, Industries
  Business Finland

• Future of biomaterials
  Jussi Manninen, Executive Vice President
  VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

• Kick-start your bio-based business in Finland
  Helvi Väisänen, Senior Adviser
  Business Finland

• Bio-based solutions company cases:

  • Pyroll Packaging
    Tapani Holappa, Sales Director

  • NordShield (Nordic BioTech Group)
    Emmi Kavander, Chief Communications Officer

  • Spinnova - The Sustainable Fibre Company
    Pia Qvintus, Business Development Director

Part Two

• Nordic perspective on circular economy
  Cathrine Barth, founder
  Circularities

• Circular industral locomotives
  Susanne M. Nævermo-Sand, Sustainability & Communication Manager
  Celsa Nordic

• Visual intelligence as fuel for circular innovation
  Hanne Wetland, Business Designer
  Knowit

• Panel discussion with Cathrine Barth (Circularities), Susanne M. Nævermo-Sand (Celsa Nordic), Hanne Wetland (Knowit) and Marthe Haugland (Nordic Innovation)

• Presentation of the Nordic Circular Hotspot Partnership Program for market development

  • Meet our first new partners

• Q&A dialogue with the audience

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This is an official WCEF Side Event. As part of the World Circular Economy Forum concept, WCEF Side Events present circular economy solutions from around the globe and attract an international audience. Previously,these events were organised in close proximity to the annual WCEF conference. The WCEF concept has been updated and selected additional events will be held between the annual WCEF conferences.

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