Forssa Region is lively Finnish sub-region consisting of five municipalities. It has around 35 000 inhabitants and is located almost in the centre of a triangle defined by the three largest major cities in Finland (Helsinki, Turku and Tampere) in the province of Southern Finland. Forssa region is known for its regional Bright Green approach, in which main focus areas are self-sufficient environment and energy, well-being, technology and green logistics. Forssa region also facilitates one of the most advanced industrial symbiosis in Finland.
From grains to symbiosis
Forssa region constitutes a significant grain production area. Building on this local resource, the municipalities and regional actors have consistently aimed at creating a competitive regional pool of expertise and companies – both local, national and multinational –with environmental sustainability as their guiding principle. The regional industrial symbiosis is based on the production and utilisation of grain, and the circle involves everything from industrial biotechnology, bioethanol and biogas production to pig feed, fertilisers and the production of glass wool and construction material. Most of the energy required in the process is produced locally from renewable resources such as peat and wood chips. The actors in the region believe in the power of symbiotic practices and co-operation and invest in the future with the goal of creating an efficient, practical bright green operating environment. There are currently numerous long-term projects underway in the area with goals such as promoting greener logistics and bioindustry.
Green Business Environment
The business development strategy of the Forssa region is based on the Bright Green approach, focusing on business activities that are environmentally friendly and support sustainable development. A concrete example of this thinking is the Forssa Envitech area. During the last 20 years it has become a major centre of eco-industry, facilitated by local land use planning and active company networking. Thanks to innovative companies, the area, born from recycling, is today an important production area of renewable energy and a significant centre of material flows in Northern Europe. Envitech, the coalition of environmental companies and public entities in the Forssa region, forms a comprehensive concentration of environmental expertise. The Forssa region is home to many companies in the environmental and energy sectors with industry leading expertise in environmental technology, research, consulting and services. The Envitech community protects the interests of environmental business and promotes development and co-operation in the region.
Facilitating a greener region
The Bright Green strategy of Forssa Region is based on the view that a green approach should be taken into account in all business operations. Besides green businesses, the regional strategic programme has emphasis on bioeconomy and sustainable use of natural resources. This regional approach calls for significant investments from all operators. The Forssa region’s preparedness for environmental business is realised in the sufficient availability of business premises, business subsidies, supply of education and training, skilled labour, know-how, a strong expert network and an ideological commitment to green solutions. The Envitech area is also known for active public-private cooperation and intensive networking. The Bright Green approach is supported by specialised environmental, agricultural and food industry education and research in the Forssa region. Educational and research institutions, such as the Natural Resources Institute Finland and Forssa Vocational School work in close collaboration with local companies and contribute to supporting their operations.
Regional dimension
The joint strategic work and a shared green vision of the municipalities in the Forssa region have created an ideal setting for green companies. Close co-operation between regional businesses offers companies the opportunity to share costs and make use of each other’s materials, data, technologies, know-how, research results and energy. This, in turn, has increased the attractiveness of Forssa region both from company and investment perspective. At the same time, the dynamic business environment has contributed to job creation and regional prosperity and resilience. Regional industrial symbiosis alongside conscious underlining of environmental values and business stimulation have contributed to a sustainable and greener Forssa region.
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