The Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki project carried out in 2024–2026 developed a new kind of hub for circular economy companies. The ARKI 135 hub operated in Arabianranta and offered businesses networks, support and opportunities to develop business activities based on circular economy. ARKI 135 served as a meeting place and showcase for circular economy for one year, presenting circular economy solutions of companies and researchers.
"We find it important to create the conditions for business growth within circular economy. The ARKI 135 hub provided SMEs with expert advice and peer support for developing circular economy business activities and processes," says Director of the Business Helsinki Business Services Unit Paula Miettinen, who also acted as the chairperson of the project’s steering group.
A total of 30 public events and two business development programmes were organised during the project. Companies and experts were also offered trainings, sparring with specialists, and opportunities for research, development and innovation cooperation.
Lessons learned from the project brought into practice through circular economy in construction
Although the operations of the ARKI 135 hub in Arabianranta have ended, the network and business cooperation operating models created in the project continue to live. Business Helsinki draws on the experiences in the activities of the Helsinki circular economy cluster, for example.
"Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki allowed us to examine the City’s role as an enabler of circular economy business operations. The development programmes for companies focused on the key challenges faced by circular economy business operations, and these insights are being utilised in the work of the Helsinki circular economy cluster. The companies that participated in the programmes found the content useful, and we aim to continue offering similar programmes in the future," says Lari Sirén, senior specialist on circular economy at Business Helsinki.
Helsinki to become a trendblazer in circular economy in construction
Circular economy in construction is one of the five fields in which Helsinki will make special growth investments during the strategy period. The aim is to enable business growth in circular economy in construction and to strengthen Helsinki’s position as a forerunner in the field. The City is aiming for the development of the circular economy market and new solutions in cooperation with companies, institutes of higher education and research institutions, for example.
The Helsinki circular economy cluster promotes innovation and business operations in line with circular economy by bringing together various operators in the construction sector. The circular economy cluster supports practical trials and cooperation between operators in the construction sector, and helps to identify new business opportunities brought by circular economy. The circular economy cluster consists of some 200 companies or other operators in circular economy in construction.