EriCa Reactor opens global call for fiber-based renewable packaging solutions
Applications are now open for the second round of EriCa Reactor, helping sustainable deep tech scale from lab to market with industry.
Starting in January 2027, the second cohort focuses on enabling a circular future through fiber-based renewable packaging. We’re looking globally for startups, scaleups and university or industry spinoffs developing differentiated technologies and solutions at TRL 4+.
Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, continues as the lead industry partner, bringing R&D expertise, industry insight and pathways toward validation, testing and potential pilots.
Global demand for fiber-based packaging continues to grow. At the same time, climate impact, resource scarcity and the need to replace single-use plastics are increasing demand for more sustainable, recyclable and high-performing solutions.
We are looking for innovations in:
- Renewable packaging
- Advanced functionality and product properties
- Recyclability and product performance
- Process efficiency and enabling technologies
- Chemical solutions
- Digital and AI-driven solutions
- New business models
More than an accelerator: From validation to industrial scale
EriCa Reactor is designed for deep tech teams that are already beyond the idea stage and ready to validate, pilot and scale with industry.
Scaling deep tech from lab to industrial use requires more than promising technology. It requires customer understanding, validation, industry connections and access to environments where solutions can be tested and developed.
Selected teams receive five months of free EriCa membership, including access to coworking and project spaces and the EriCa Shared Labs at EriCa Green Chemistry Park in Espoo.
The program helps teams to:
- Validate technologies, applications and use cases with industry
- Understand customer and industry requirements
- Prepare and design pilots and industrial trials
- Use shared laboratory infrastructure for testing and development
- Connect with industry experts, R&D teams, customers and investors
- Build readiness for international growth and industrial scale-up
The EriCa Shared Labs are now operational, providing flexible laboratory infrastructure for startups, spinoffs and project teams working on sustainable deep tech.
“Deep tech companies need customers, industry expertise, validation and access to environments where they can test and scale their solutions. EriCa Reactor brings these elements together to help companies move from lab to market,” says Oona Sulkunen from Crazy Town, the operator of EriCa Green Chemistry Park.
Kemira brings industry insight, R&D expertise and scale
Startups bring agility and fresh ideas. Kemira brings scale, industry insight and R&D expertise. Together, solutions can reach markets faster.
Kemira is the lead industry partner for the first two EriCa Reactor cohorts, and its global innovation center is located onsite at EriCa Green Chemistry Park.
The collaboration gives participating teams access to industry expertise and supports the path toward validation, pilot preparation, industrial testing and potential further collaboration.
Building on the first cohort
The first EriCa Reactor cohort launched in March 2026 around clean water and brought together seven teams from five countries.
During the program, participating teams have already:
- Secured hundreds of thousands of euros in new funding
- Initiated new pilots and industrial testing
- Received support in designing pilots and preparing for scale-up
- Built new R&D and industry collaborations
- Connected with new investors, customers and international partners
Participation has also provided teams with external validation that can strengthen discussions with customers, investors and future partners.
The first cohort demonstrates what EriCa Reactor is designed to do: help promising deep tech move from validation toward pilots, funding and industrial scale.
Who should apply?
We are particularly looking for teams that:
- Offer differentiated, market-shaping solutions in fiber-based packaging and related materials
- Have scalable technologies with initial technical validation and a credible business model (TRL ≥ 4)
- See clear value in collaboration with a global industry partner
- Target international growth and market expansion
- Have a committed and capable team
- Have secured initial funding or other external support
Applications are open to startups and university or industry spinoffs worldwide.
Key dates
- Apply by October 25, 2026
- November 2026: Selection interviews and announcement of selected teams
- December 2026: Team onboarding
- January 11–13, 2027: Program kickoff onsite in Espoo, Finland
- January–May 2027: Workshops, coaching and mentoring; five months of free EriCa membership and access to shared laboratory and workspace infrastructure
- May–June 2027: Demo Day onsite in Espoo, Finland and program offboarding
For more information and to apply, click here.