Dalarna Science Park's circular industry accelerator is now one year old. The concept is based on industries being matched with innovative startups and companies that get the chance to utilize the industry's residual streams.
- "Participants really appreciate this form of concrete business development that quickly shows its value," says Carolina Friberg, who leads the Dalarna Science Park team behind the Circular Industry Accelerator.
In addition to being used in existing products and activities, industrial waste streams can also lead to new products and services, which in turn can strengthen the economy and help create more green jobs.
Innovation and knowledge sharing
The duration of the program is nine months and in the first round Arctic Paper, Gevalia and SSAB participated with waste and residual resources that have been matched against five different innovative companies.
Several of these startups have now started to establish partnerships with industry, but it's still too early to present concrete results, Carolina says.
- The startups participating in the Circular Industry Accelerator will not only get a gateway to different industries, but also support from Dalarna Science Park's business developers, sustainability specialists and innovation leaders. In addition, they get access to test environments, researchers, experts and international networks.
- It feels great to be able to bring together people and companies that would otherwise never have met. Now it has resulted in innovation, knowledge exchange and new business opportunities, fully in line with the project's intentions.
Fantastically committed
Erik Grånäs, Head of Sales Byproducts at SSAB Borlänge, is one of the early participants in the Circular Industry Accelerator, together with his colleague Pernilla Aronsson, the Glow Shell Coordinator.
- At SSAB, we are constantly working to create business from our residual products and residual streams, as part of our green transition. So joining was almost a given," he says.
Over the past year, Erik and Pernilla have participated in a number of meetings, hosted study visits and provided startups with data and material samples.
- We spent some time in the beginning, especially Pernilla, but otherwise the participation has not meant extra work. Instead, it is the startups and the team from Dalarna Science Park that have worked hardest. Everyone has been fantastically committed," says Erik.
Win-win for everyone
Through the Circular Industry Accelerator, SSAB Borlänge has connected with several startups, including Anferra, a deeptech startup that turns hazardous steel waste into
valuable chemicals for water treatment.
- Now the challenge is to scale up and become profitable. We really hope they succeed, it would be a win-win for everyone," says Erik.
SSAB Borlänge will also participate in the new round starting this fall, then with other residual streams.
- For us, it is very important to do something good with the residual flows and via Dalarna Science Park we are matched with startups that we would otherwise not have the opportunity to receive.
Long-term benefits
Summing up the first round, many participants note that it takes time to transform residual streams into new values, something Carolina and her colleagues are fully aware of.
- The program provides a foundation to build on in the long term. At the same time, the duration of the program means that participants get to know more about what we and other promoters can contribute, that there is actually a whole ecosystem at their disposal when they take the next step.
Facts Dalarna Science Park's circular industry accelerator
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- Matching industrial companies with innovative startups - a structured process to maximize the benefits of industrial waste and resource recovery.
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- Today the only one of its kind in Sweden: an accelerator with a focus on circularity and a setup where participants have access to expert support, networking and ongoing coaching.
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- Using the Circular Industry Accelerator as a model, Dalarna Science Park wants to inspire other actors, both nationally and internationally, to create sustainability, growth and green development through entrepreneurial collaboration.
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- Participants in 2024-2025: Arctic Paper, Gevalia, SSAB, Allogro, Anferra, Biohumus Sweden, Bright Materia and GreenIron and others.
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- Program duration: nine months.
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- Funding: EU and Region Dalarna.
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- Next program start: autumn 2025 where we are looking for solutions to utilize:
- Red iron oxide and waste wood from SSAB's steel production in Borlänge
- Textile, plastic and ash from recycling processes at Borlänge Energi and Falu Energi & Vatten
- Limestone residues from SMA Minerals' limestone plant in Rättvik
- Next program start: autumn 2025 where we are looking for solutions to utilize:
