The ReFlow Hackathon is an initiative inviting students, innovators, and entrepreneurs to develop new solutions from process industry side streams. Participants are encouraged to create circular economy products or co-create new service concepts related to material flows in collaboration with industrial companies from the Meri-Lappi region. The event is scheduled to take place on April 22, 2026, at Jamk’s Dynamo Campus in Jyväskylä. Teams are invited to register with their ideas by March 23, 2026, for a chance to win cash prizes.
Program Focus and Objectives
The hackathon addresses the challenge of utilizing the significant, yet largely untapped, side streams from Finland's process industry. In the Meri-Lappi region alone, industries generate up to 1.5 million tonnes of side streams annually. The program's objective is to identify and refine these materials into valuable products such as recycled nutrients, soil improvers, growth substrates, and fertilisers. Participants can also develop service concepts for logistics, sharing, maintenance, or reuse. Ideas can focus on various areas, including:
• Turning a side stream into a new product
• Improving nutrient recycling
• Reusing materials in smarter ways
• Enhancing process or resource efficiency
• Creating entirely new applications based on unique expertise
Understanding Process Industry Side Streams
Side streams are materials generated in large volumes during industrial processes that are not the main products but hold potential for reuse and transformation. Examples of common side streams include:
• Ash: A fine, mineral-rich residue from combustion.
• Slag: A stone-like by-product from metal production.
• Sludges: Moist fractions from industrial processes or water treatment.
• Mineral-based side streams: Fine mineral fractions from mining and ore beneficiation.
Awards and Evaluation Criteria
The top three teams will be awarded a total of €1,000 in cash prizes, distributed as follows:
• 1st Place: €500
• 2nd Place: €300
• 3rd Place: €200
Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria:
• Impact and value proposition
• Feasibility and scalability
• Responsibility and legal compliance
• Innovativeness and novelty
Eligibility and Application Guidelines
The competition is open to Finland-based teams, which may include higher education students from fields like natural resources, bioeconomy, and engineering, as well as innovators and entrepreneurs with an interest in the circular economy. No prior expertise in side streams is required. Teams should consist of 3–5 members, though solo participants are also welcome. Applicants must prepare a short description of their idea, explaining how it utilizes a side stream to address the challenge. The working language for the event is English.
Participant Benefits
Participants in the ReFlow Hackathon will have the opportunity to:
• Develop ideas with mentor support, receiving guidance on side stream characteristics and pitch refinement.
• Showcase skills by presenting ideas to industry professionals and potential partners.
• Grow professional networks by meeting students, innovators, and companies from across Finland.
• Learn by doing through work on real circular economy challenges and use cases.
• Explore paths to continuation, as promising ideas may proceed to piloting or co-development with project partners.
Event Schedule and Logistics
The program follows a structured timeline:
• Registration Deadline: March 23, 2026
• Kick-off (Online): March 31, 2026
• Remote Mentoring (On-demand): March 14 - 16, 2026
• Hackathon Day (On-site): April 22, 2026, at Jamk Dynamo Campus, Jyväskylä
Participation is free of charge. The working languages are Finnish and English. While remote participation is possible, on-site attendance is recommended to maximize networking opportunities.
Organizers and Partners
The hackathon is commissioned by the Kiertotalouskeskus - Circular Economy Centre and Lapland University of Applied Sciences. It is organized in collaboration with several process industry companies, including Forest Vital, Metsä Group, NG Nordic, Oulun Energia, Pohjaset, SMA Mineral, Yara Eco, and MTK. The event is organized by the Bio- and circular economy business accelerator BioBoosters.
This event offers a unique platform for innovators to engage with real-world industrial challenges and contribute to the advancement of the circular economy. By connecting creative minds with industry leaders, the ReFlow Hackathon aims to foster tangible solutions and new business opportunities derived from the sustainable use of side streams.