Amid confetti and great enthusiasm from visitors, the Material Arena at Dalarna Science Park was officially opened. Here, companies, researchers, and students will have the opportunity to explore materials, develop new ideas, and find ways to create more sustainable products and businesses.
About 100 visitors gathered on October 20 during Dalarna Innovation Days for a day focused on the materials of the future, the circular economy, and new opportunities for industry. The highlight of the day was the inauguration of Materialarenan, which was presided over by Dalarna Science Park CEO Angelica Ekholm together with the project team:
– Materialarenan is intended to be a place where everyone—from innovative startups to global industrial companies—can bring their questions, ideas, and challenges. The goal is to foster new connections and collaborations that lead to material innovations and strengthen companies’ competitiveness.
A place to discover and explore
As the curtain was drawn back and confetti rained down, a materials exhibition featuring innovative products and solutions developed from industrial waste streams was also unveiled. The exhibition was billed as perhaps the largest of its kind in Sweden. During the networking lunch, visitors explored the exhibition and discussed material selection and product development with the project team.
Materialarenan’s new analysis lab also features new measurement and analysis equipment that companies and students can now book to study and gain a deeper understanding of the properties of materials and products.
The initiative has been welcomed by Region Dalarna, which has granted funding for the project.
– “Materialarenen is needed for the industry and businesses to keep up. Materials are becoming more and more important,” says Joel Norrgo of Region Dalarna.
The Dalarna Savings Bank Foundation is one of the project’s financial backers. Board Chairman Kjell Grundström, who has extensive experience in industry and business development, looks forward to seeing more companies take advantage of these opportunities.
– We rely on materials research, development, and testing. If we can help drive this progress forward, that’s a good way to use the Sparbank Foundation’s funds. Now I hope that Materialarenan will establish itself as an important resource.
From Waste Materials to New Opportunities
The materials exhibition provided concrete examples of how resources previously considered waste can be given new value.
Among the exhibitors was GreenIron, which specializes in recovering metals from industrial waste streams. Fredrik Björk, sales manager for the Nordic region and Europe, particularly appreciated the day’s focus on continuing to evolve even when the transition feels difficult.
“It has given me the energy to focus on the purpose of what we’re actually doing. When you take a step forward, you can bring others along with you. That can lead to things we didn’t know about before and provide new perspectives,” says Fredrik Björk.
Emma Eriksson, visual arts and design consultant and project manager for SPOK Dalarna at Region Dalarna, saw opportunities for new collaborations between industry and designers.
– I see great opportunities to bring designers and manufacturers together to make use of the industry’s waste streams and create new products and business models. That would be very valuable.
Building Competitiveness Through the Circular Economy
Prior to the opening ceremony, the program at Ljusgården featured lectures and discussions on the circular transition, material innovation, and new business opportunities. Ulrika Ebenhard and Carolina Friberg from Dalarna Science Park, representing the Circular Industry Accelerator initiative, spoke about their work helping companies make the most of resources and develop more sustainable businesses.
Mats Linder, an expert and advisor on the circular economy, highlighted how industrial waste streams can become strategic raw materials. He emphasized that a circular economy is not just about reducing waste, but also about preserving value and fostering competitiveness.
“There’s a huge economic opportunity here, especially in times of scarcity and economic uncertainty. We need to do things that both create value and are resource-efficient,” he says.
“When I worked in the toy industry, I saw what a waste of resources it was. Products were being manufactured on the other side of the globe while usable materials were being thrown away right here at home. I saw the tremendous potential for creating more sustainable products by making use of various waste streams,” says Stefanos Papamichailidis.
Inspiration and concrete business examples
Visitors also had the opportunity to meet companies that are already putting circular ideas into practice. From the stage, Lars Thorsrud of the Norwegian company Oppatt AS presented the company’s work on developing building systems made from waste materials and reclaimed wood.
Stefanos Papamichailidis from Re:Play demonstrated how industrial waste materials can be turned into educational products for preschools. Some of the company’s products were also on display at the Materialarena exhibition.
Now the possibilities are opening up
The event demonstrated that there is a great deal of interest—and that the path from waste materials to sustainable material development begins with knowledge, curiosity, and collaboration.
The Materials Arena is now open and welcomes companies and other stakeholders who want to explore new materials, test ideas, and develop the products of the future. Companies can already book a technical introduction that includes demonstrations and the opportunity to examine various material samples.
Thank you to everyone who made this day possible
Thank you to all participants and to Materialarenan’s funders: Region Dalarna, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, the European Regional Development Fund, the Dalarna Savings Bank Foundation, and the Hugo Carlsson Foundation—as well as to our project partners: IUC Dalarna, the University of Gävle, Dalarna University, Karlstad University, Bergsskolan in Filipstad, and Sustainable Steel Region.
