Ecosystem mapping for utilizing the digestate of a biogas plant
We surveyed potential partners in the selected operating radius who could receive organic digestate.
Read more on the project site.
Sustainable construction guide
We wrote the Circular solutions for the construction sector guide for the three-part Sustainable Construction guide series.
Read more on the project site.
Student coaching in the international CircularBio Innovations training
In addition to the student groups’ expert sparring, the project included an innovation lecture.
Read more on the project site.
Regeneration of filter material in phosphorus recovery
In this work, we examined the regeneration and reactivation of a filter material used in a water purification solution for phosphorus recovery.
Read more on the project site.
Verification of nutrient recovery capacity
We examined how a solution developed by the customer can be used to recover phosphorus from water.
Read more on the project site.
Adjustment of the recipe in connection with a change in the raw material base
Apila Group improved the raw material composition of speciality concrete and consulted on the customer’s product and process development.
Read more on the project site.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel reviews for construction products
Apila Group investigated the suitability of several dozen dry products for Lakka Rakennustuotteet Oy.
Read more on the project site.
Creating business ecosystems to utilise waste
On behalf of Vitrulan Composites Oy, we investigated a business cooperation model to utilise glass and carbon fibre waste generated in production.
Read more on the project site.
A business ecosystem for tire-derived recycled rubber and the plastics industry
We are creating a business ecosystem with a new plant producing tire-derived recycled rubber and product manufacturing industry in Finland.
Read more on the project site.
The circular economy for the everyday life of families
Apila Group, in cooperation with Hub Karelia, implemented an online course on the circular economy as part of the Waste Not Want Not – ICE-CAP project funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ funding program. The project aims to promote awareness of the circular economy by combining learning resources suitable for different ages into a comprehensive family learning experience.
Read more on the project site.
Development and testing of rubber-plastic composite
We developed a recipe for recycled rubber and plastic blend material. In addition to this, we developed a method for blending recycled rubber and HDPE plastic to identify the most optimal blend ratio and raw material fractions.
Read more on the project site.
Usability study of utilising recycled rubber in plastic products
Apila Group investigated the techno chemical and economical utilisation possibilities of recycled rubber made from used tires in various plastic product applications.
Read more on the project site.
The growing medium customization
We customised a growing medium from by-products. The medium was intended for soft-rooted plants and was to be used in a cover structure. The project carried out a chemical evaluation of seven by-product fractions for substrate purposes, taking into account their substrate, soil improvement and nutrient effects.
Read more on the project site.
Productisation of recovered soil materials
We implemented a project to commercialize recycled soil materials and the growing medium formed from them. For the project, six side streams and three different mixtures were analysed.
Read more on the project site.
Microplastics in the operating environment of Finnish Tire Recycling
The aim of the project was to collect information on the spread and prevalence of microplastics in different environments in a two-year monitoring project. For the project, seven urban, transport and recycling sites were selected as monitoring sites, in three different locations.
Read more on the project site.
Utilising insects in the processing of plastics
The study investigated the utilisation of insects in the disposal of plastics on a farm. The work was carried out for Savonia University of Applied Sciences’ InsectSavo project, which develops insect farming.
Read more on the project site.
CERUB® Label for sustainable tyre materials
CERUB® Label for sustainable tyre materials is the first international, industry derived sustainability system for recycling and material recovery. We have been developing the system since 2017 and a manager of the international cooperation CERUB organisation since 2019.
Read more on the project site.
Urban Infra Revolution (UIR) project
In this project, we are developing new circular economy materials and a novel method to produce recyclable and functional urban construction products. The project is co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund’s Urban Innovation Action (UIA) initiative.
Read more on the project site.
A novel circular economy material for water purification
We have developed a new circular economy material that is suitable for metal recovery and enrichment from wastewaters. It is more effective than active carbon and more affordable than ion-exchange resin. The waste-based material innovation was awarded the top prize in Joensuu Science Park’s Start Me Up business idea competition in 2017. The development project paves the way for commercialisation of the product and launching production. The development project is funded by the European Union.
Duration: 2017-
Ecosystems to enhance ash utilisation
Apila Group partners in a project launching regional cooperation for the utilisation of wood ash from energy production in Central Finland. Project is carried out by Tapio Ltd.
Partners: Tapio Ltd.
Duration: 2018-
Wood ash utilisation in mineral soil forest fertilisation
Puutuhkan käyttö kivennäismaiden metsien lannoituksessa project (2016–2018) was a research and development project coordinated by Tapio Oy with a goal to enhance wood ash utilisation in mineral soil forest fertilisation. As nitrogen is typically the limiting factor for mineral soil forests, wood and peat ash are not necessarily sufficient alone to enhance tree growth and growth of forest value in the long term. For this reason, it’s recommended to use ash fertilisation together with nitrogen fertilisation in mineral soil forests. The project was carried out by Tapio Ltd, and it was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.
Partners: Tapio Ltd, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and Ecolan Oy.
Duration: 2016 – 2018
Nutritious substances from the forest industry
The Metsäteollisuuden ravinteet project’s objective was to produce information on how nutritious forest industry waste could be used as fertiliser products and to promote their use. The project summary gives comprehensive information on forest industry processes and the side-streams, their formation, amounts and composition. During the project, a guide was written for agriculture and forestry actors to guarantee that the forest industry’s by-products are used safely and in accordance with legislation. The project was funded by the Ministry of Environment of Finland and Finnish Forest Industries.
Partners: Finnish Forest Industries, Metsä Group, UPM, Stora Enso, Ministry of Environment of Finland, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
Duration: 2013-2014
Side-stream utilisation studies and product development projects
Since 2009, Apila Group has been providing reports, studies and product development for our clients to help them to enhance side-stream utilisation and improve their financial profit. By 2019, we have carried out over 180 projects enhancing utilization of side streams. The projects include technology and market studies, identification of utilisation applications, availability studies, material handling studies, creation of symbiotic co-operation between companies, pilot projects, product development and productisation.
Partners: over 50 partners
Duration: 2009 –