The Circular Industry Accelerator
Do you have a solution to industry's waste challenges?
We are looking for SMEs and startups with circular solutions to utilize residual streams from some of Dalarna's largest industrial companies. Right now we are looking for solutions to utilize:
- 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
- Lime residues from SMA Minerals' lime plant in Rättvik
More information on residual streams
Do you have the technology and a business that can make a difference? We'll help you take the next step, from development to business.
How it works
The duration of the program is nine months and for each round of the program a number of industries are invited to participate. Once participating industries are selected, the recruitment of innovative companies that want to create new circular business opportunities from the residual streams starts. In the Circular Industry Accelerator, we tailor the program and support to your needs. Here are some examples of what the support can cover:
- Tailored business development support, such as market fit, financing, resource allocation, sustainability, networking and sales.
- Contact with, for example, industry leaders, financiers, entrepreneurs and other valuable networks.
- Market exposure through Dalarna Science Park channels.
- Access to external resources, such as testing facilities, academic institutions and research projects.
New values of industrial waste
The Circular Industry Accelerator focuses on creating new value from industrial waste, known as residual streams. It connects major industries with innovative companies and start-ups that can turn residual streams into circular business opportunities.
Industries often have very large residual streams that they are not able to use themselves. As a result, these residual streams often become waste for energy recovery or have to be disposed of in other ways. At the same time, there are actors who could benefit from residual streams in their production or to create new products and services - if only they knew they existed and had access to them. This is where the Circular Industry Accelerator comes in.
Facts
Program duration: 9 months.
For whom: SMEs and startups that have ideas and the ability to transform residual streams into circular business opportunities.
Participation fee: SEK 10 000 excluding VAT. Travel, accommodation and similar are not included.
Content: The support and design of the program is adapted to the needs of each participant.
Privacy: We protect your intellectual property rights and work under strict confidentiality.
Bonus: Office space in Workflow Open (Dalarna Science Park, Borlänge) at a discounted price.
Participating companies
Soilfood creates circular solutions that bridge the gap between industry and agriculture
Soilfood acts as a link between industry and agriculture by processing various by-products into soil conditioners and fertilizer solutions. The company’s scalable system solutions help industry reduce waste, while providing agriculture with domestic and more resource-efficient inputs. This also strengthens Sweden’s self-sufficiency and reduces vulnerability in the food supply chain.
Together with SMA Mineral, Soilfood is now developing solutions for lime-based waste streams—a great example of how circular flows can be scaled up and create value across multiple stages.
Pictured: Mattias Gustafsson
Re:Play develops circular solutions for preschools
Re:Play breathes new life into industrial waste and scrap materials, transforming them into educational products for preschools. The company combines reuse with its own product development to create sustainable learning environments where materials are given a longer life and new value.
As part of the Circular Industry Accelerator, Re:Play is exploring how wood-based waste streams—such as those from SSAB—can be integrated into its operations. With a focus on circular business models, climate benefits, and scalability, Re:Play contributes to reduced waste, more resource-efficient use, and strengthened sustainability efforts—from industry to everyday life in preschools.
Pictured: Pontus Albinzon and Stefanos Papamichailidis
Article:“Re:Play Turns Wood Scraps into Creative Joy – Dalarna Science Park”
Nordluft Automation is developing the next generation of aerial fertilization
Nordluft Automation develops drone-based solutions for sustainable fertilization in forestry and agriculture, using proprietary systems for large-scale aerial application. By replacing traditional methods—such as tractors and helicopters—with modern technology, the company reduces environmental impact, energy consumption, and costs, while increasing precision.
A current focus is on using bioash from energy production—including in collaboration with Falu Energi & Vatten—to create circular flows in which nutrients are returned to the soil.
Pictured: Elof Winroth
The team you meet
In the Circular Industry Accelerator, you will be challenged and supported by skilled coaches with extensive experience in the world of industry, innovation management, business development and sustainability. Sometimes you will also meet external experts and researchers - through the program you will gain access to many new contacts and networks, nationally and internationally.
Contact
Previous round of the program
The first round of the accelerator started in the fall of 2024. The industries Arctic Paper, Gevalia and SSAB participated with seven different residual streams.
- Arctic Paper (Grycksbo paper mill): sludge and residual heat.
- Gevalia (coffee roastery in Gävle): coffee bean shells and coffee waste mixed with plastic packaging.
- for SSAB (steel production in Borlänge): mill scale, ferric hydroxide sludge and grinding wool.
Participating startups in the pilot round
- Allogro is a greentech startup developing peat-free growing media based on residual streams from the forest, food and paper industries.
- Anferra is a deeptech startup that converts hazardous steel waste into valuable chemicals for water treatment.
- Biohumus Sweden AB is a Swedish company that produces organic fertilizer based on bio-based residual streams and vermicompost from the worm Eisenia Fetida.
- Bright Materia is a Swedish deeptech company that develops fossil-free materials by extracting high-quality lignin from residual biomass.
- GreenIron is a Swedish deeptech startup developing a fossil-free and energy-efficient hydrogen-based technology to recover iron and metals from metal and mining industry residues.
Contact us today!
Do you have ideas on how to turn waste streams into business opportunities? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and recruitment is both national and international.
