Press release: EriCa Reactor accelerates green innovations from lab to market
EriCa Reactor is an accelerator program that takes green innovations from lab to market in partnership with world-class industry leaders.
The sustainability crisis is too complex for anyone to solve alone. EriCa Green Chemistry Park is a hub and home to an ecosystem, where talent, startups, and industry collaborate to accelerate a resource-efficient and sustainable future.
The EriCa ecosystem is open to those working to ideate, innovate, and collaborate for growth together with like-minded peers. The approach is a people-first, high-trust community.
“What makes EriCa special is how it brings together world-class partners at one hub, with shared R&D labs easily available even for early-stage startups in proximity with industry partners. We’re in the epicenter of one of Europe’s leading deep tech ecosystems that we have here in Finland,” says Toni Pienonen from Crazy Town, the operator of EriCa Green Chemistry Park. At the heart of EriCa is the social capital.
“Most importantly, we’re building a community of experts. Innovation grows when people build trust, share knowledge, and open doors for each other. This community-driven approach defines the ecosystem and builds on 20 years of experience in nurturing entrepreneurial communities.”
To accelerate impact, EriCa runs innovation activities with global industry partners. Its flagship program EriCa Reactor helps to bring innovations and technologies from lab to market, around themes such as:
- Ensuring clean water
- Enabling circularity and material recovery
- Replacing fossil-based raw materials
- Accelerating decarbonization
- Advancing industry digitalization
The first EriCa Reactor cohort will focus on ensuring clean water, with Kemira as the lead partner
The first program cohort will run from March to August 2026. Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, has its global innovation center onsite at EriCa Green Chemistry Park and is the lead industry partner for EriCa Reactor and its launch.
Today, over two billion people lack safe water, while climate change, population growth, and contaminants like microplastics increase pressure on water resources. Kemira seeks to explore innovations that address these challenges. Startups, scaleups, and spinoffs developing clean water solutions are invited to apply. Examples include new technologies and chemical solutions in water treatment and purification, or digital tools such as AI and IoT for sustainable water management. The program welcomes a wide range of approaches from around the world.
“Kemira’s innovation strategy focuses on bringing together chemistry expertise and advanced digital solutions to address some of the defining issues of our time: water resilience, climate change and circularity,” says Kemira’s Sampo Lahtinen, EVP, Research & Innovation. “We believe in succeeding together with our strategic partners and customers, and we’re excited to join forces with startups through EriCa Reactor. Together, we can explore breakthrough solutions and help promising companies scale globally, leveraging Kemira’s long experience and deep expertise in water-intensive processes.”
Selected companies benefit from:
- Hands-on mentoring and insights from industry experts, investors, and business developers
- Opportunities to work alongside leading industry R&D teams
- Customer understanding and insights
- Understanding of what scaling to global markets requires
- Peer-learning with fellow participants and matchmaking
- Full EriCa Green Chemistry Park membership, including 24/7 access to coworking and lab facilities in Espoo, Finland
Eligible participants should have a novel, scalable technology and business model, initial funding or support, and an ambition to expand globally. Startups bring agility, Kemira brings scale.
Teams selected for the program will receive dedicated growth support within Espoo’s globally recognized deep tech hotspot, a hub of innovation at the forefront of sustainability, water, and green chemistry.
Applications now open – apply by December 31, 2025 for the first cohort
EriCa Reactor runs twice per year in a hybrid format. The first cohort starts in March 2026 with a kickoff event in Espoo, Finland.
Startups, scaleups, and spinoffs are invited to apply. EriCa is also open for ecosystem partners globally to co-create a better future.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://ericagcp.fi/reactor
CONTACT DETAILS
Crazy Town Oy
Toni Pienonen, Partner
toni.pienonen@crazytown.fi
+358 400 737 238
Kemira Oyj
Jenni Vuorela, Communications Manager
jenni.vuorela@kemira.com
+358 40 186 4094
EriCa Green Chemistry Park, located in Espoo, Finland, a pioneering hub in green chemistry and sustainable development. It offers state-of-the-art facilities for research and development in the chemical industry and brings together leading players, startups, and research institutes in the field. https://ericagcp.fi/
Crazy Town is the operator of EriCa ecosystem and EriCa Reactor. It is one of Europe’s oldest innovation community-builders. www.crazytown.fi
Kemira is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries. We deliver tailored products and services to improve the product quality, processes, and resource efficiency of our diverse range of customers. Kemira is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. www.kemira.com
EriCa Green Chemistry Park opens in Finnoo, Espoo
24.9.2025
PRESS RELEASE
The joint construction and innovation investment by Kemira, A. Ahlström, the Church Pension Fund, and Aktia Life Insurance—EriCa Green Chemistry Park—has been completed in Finnoo, Espoo. The project was announced in spring 2021, and construction began in spring 2023 after the zoning became legally binding. Now, this unique business and science hub is ready and has been handed over to its users.
EriCa Green Chemistry Park is a pioneering project in green chemistry and sustainable development. It offers state-of-the-art facilities for research and development in the chemical industry and brings together leading players, startups, and research institutes in the field. Kemira is the main user of the site and will move into the new premises during 2025. Kemira’s research center has operated in the area since 1972, and now operations will continue in even more modern facilities.
The building features shared office space, a conference center, and a shared laboratory—operated by Crazy Town—set to be completed in early 2026, as well as Factory’s lunch restaurant. In addition, there is high-quality laboratory space available for rent to other chemical research companies.
“Kemira has conducted research and development in Finnoo, Espoo for over 50 years, and in the new research center, this work will continue in an even more collaborative model,” says Kemira’s Sampo Lahtinen, EVP, Research & Innovation. “The EriCa project is a significant strategic investment for us, and it’s great that we have started moving into these top-class facilities. The Espoo research center will continue to be a cornerstone of Kemira’s research and innovation work.”
“At A. Ahlström, together with our investment partners the Church Pension Fund and Aktia Life Insurance, we see EriCa not only as a high-quality real estate investment but also as a strategically significant contribution to strengthening Finland’s competitiveness. Growing deep tech companies need not only office space but also high-quality development environments. EriCa meets this need and supports the development of the innovation ecosystem in Finland,” says Jyrki Vainionpää, CEO of A. Ahlström.
“As a green economy hub, EriCa makes Espoo an even stronger leader in sustainable development. I am proud that we are home to such a significant innovation cluster that brings green chemistry solutions to the world,” says Espoo Mayor Kai Mykkänen.
The goal of the EriCa project has been to create a responsible and innovative ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enables new types of collaboration among industry players. The clear architecture, abundant natural light, and adaptable spaces support research, collaboration, and well-being. Energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials support long-term sustainability goals. The project has been built according to the BREEAM environmental certification, aiming for an Excellent rating.
Read more about the project and available spaces: www.ericagcp.fi
Further information:
A. Ahlström
Pia Lindborg, Director, Real Estate
Puh. +358 50 328 8579
pia.lindborg@aahlstrom.com
Miia Mäkinen, Communications Manager
Puh. +358 44 512 4711
miia.makinen@aahlstrom.com
Kemira Oyj
Jenni Vuorela, Communications Manager
Puh. +358 40 186 4094
jenni.vuorela@kemira.com
Press release: EriCa will open its doors next autumn, with Finland’s most experienced developer of shared coworking spaces, Crazy Town, as its operator
PRESS RELEASE: 20 November 2024
Welcome to the cradle of green chemistry! Starting next autumn, Finnoo will be creating a better world. The sustainable development scientific community EriCa will open its doors, with Finland’s most experienced developer of shared coworking spaces, Crazy Town, as its operator.
EriCa – Green Chemistry Park, a hub for top experts and companies in green chemistry, will open its doors in autumn 2025. At EriCa, ambitious growth companies, experts and research and training institutes will create a better world with the help of sustainable solutions. The highly respected ecosystem developer Crazy Town was chosen as EriCa’s operator and will be responsible for launching operations, developing the community, selling the ecosystem and providing daily services.
The construction of the EriCa project, owned by A. Ahlström Real Estate, the Church Pension Fund and Aktia Life Insurance, was begun in spring 2023. Construction has proceeded on schedule and the project will be completed in autumn 2025.
“For us as owners, it was important to find a partner that can shape EriCa into an entirely new kind of community. Crazy Town met our criteria, and we are excited about our newly established partnership,” says Pia Lindborg, Director, Real Estate at A. Ahlström Real Estate.
EriCa combines world-class facilities with a committed research and development community
Innovative people and a humane and inspiring community form the heart of EriCa. The workspaces and lab facilities offer alternatives ranging from coworking and hybrid workspaces to fully equipped offices and shared labs. Use of the spaces is based on a monthly fee, free of long-term commitment, which also allows the spaces to be used on a project basis.
EriCa’s main tenant is Kemira, whose research and development activities form a strong foundation for EriCa’s community.
“In the future, innovation will increasingly take place through co-operation, and the goal is for EriCa, as a concept, to attract interesting partners for us,” says Kemira’s Director, Real Estate and Investments, Jari Tolvanen.
In addition to green chemistry and sustainable development companies, the community is open to business developers, startups offering digital solutions, and investors. Collaboration with educational institutions, universities and research centres offers new paths for competence and development.
“A business can arrange work and meeting spaces in EriCa for development teams, even if the rest of the personnel is located elsewhere in Finland or abroad. Use of the space can easily be expanded as needed. Chemistry industry product development teams can use EriCa’s shared lab spaces, without having to invest in their own infrastructure. There are limitless combinations,” explains Mikko Markkanen, a pioneer in shared spaces and the founder of Crazy Town.
A petri dish for a better tomorrow
EriCa is part of the Green Line competence hub for green chemistry, circular economy, and clean technology, being built along the Helsinki-Espoo metro line. Neighbours in the area include Northern Europe’s largest innovation and startup hub in Otaniemi. EriCa’s anchor tenant Kemira will have its research centre in the building.
Crazy Town will link EriCa to a Finland-wide community that includes more than 400 businesses from freelancers to startups and listed companies. EriCa’s members can utilise Crazy Town’s diverse workspaces in five other cities.
Come join our miracle-makers – applications are now welcome
EriCa’s premises will open in autumn 2025, on a date to be revealed later. You can now apply to be a member and partner in a community that will make the world a better place. Spots are open for single-person entrepreneurs to larger teams, in other words for anyone looking to tap into the power of a like-minded community. The fastest applicants still get a say in how the premises are designed. Welcome!
CONTACT DETAILS
Mikko Markkanen
mikko.markkanen@crazytown.fi
Tel. +358 40 758 8712
Timo Lahti
timo.lahti@crazytown.fi
Tel. +358 10 341 7055
Pia Lindborg
pia.lindborg@aahlstrom.com
Tel. +358 50 328 8579
Juha Mäkelä
juha.makela@aahlstrom.com
Tel. +358 50 544 2494
EriCa, located in the Finnoo district of Espoo, is a hub for top experts and companies in green chemistry whose mission is to change the world. The property is owned jointly by A. Ahlström Real Estate Ltd, Kemira Church Pension Fund and Aktia Life Insurance Ltd.
Crazy Town is a community of hundreds of growth-seeking companies, where thousands of experts collaborate and innovate.
Crazy Town is one of Finland’s and Europe’s oldest community-driven workspace operators.
Ahlström Real Estate Ltd manages A. Ahlström’s real estate and forest holdings, including the historic ironworks in Noormarkku.
Kemira is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries. Our focus is on pulp & paper, water treatment and energy industry.
The EriCa project of Kemira, Ahlström Capital, Kirkon Eläkerahasto and Aktia Life Insurance Ltd starts in Espoo
The building and innovation investment of Kemira, Ahlström Capital, Kirkon Eläkerahasto and Aktia Life Insurance was published in spring 2021. The building plan is now legally binding, and the construction of the EriCa Green Chemistry Park can get started.
The planning and the concept development of Kemira’s new technology center has proceeded well and the building permit has been applied for. The building plan for Rusthollinrinne got legally binding in the end of December and on January 5, 2023, the plot owned by Kemira’s pension foundation Neliapila was acquired. The project starts with excavation in the beginning of 2023.
“EriCa is a long-term investment for us and our partners, the Church Pension Fund, and Aktia LifeInsurance Ltd. We’re happy that we can develop this unique business and science center in Espoo together with NIB, Kemira and the joint venture,” says Pia Lindborg, Director Real Estate at A. Ahlström Real Estate Ltd. (subsidiary of Ahlström Capital).
The first phase of the project delivering approximately 3,100 square metres of lettable office area, an 8,600 m2 lettable laboratory area, a 730 m2 lettable conference area and a restaurant. The construction will be in accordance with the environmental certificate BREEAM with the goal of obtaining “Very Good” as a minimum. Kemira Oyj will lease approximately 70% of the total Phase I area with a long-term lease agreement. The other Phase I lettable spaces include approximately 2,900 m2 of laboratory and office space as well as a common space of around 730 m2 containing restaurant and meeting facilities which will be leased to other companies for chemical research. The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) will partly finance the building and the construction of the phase I and the acquisition of land.
”Great that the planning process is now finished and that the construction of the new laboratory and office premises of the Kemira research centre will be able to start in early 2023. The Kemira research centre has been located in Finnoo for over 50 years and will continue in the same location as we move to the new EriCa Green Chemistry Park once it is completed in 2025,” says Kemira Director of Real Estate and Investment, Jari Tolvanen.
”We are eagerly waiting for EriCa to be constructed in Finnoo, Espoo. We often get inquiries about laboratory facilities like this. We are finally able to direct companies to the Green Chemistry Park at EriCa, where the companies can have office, research and laboratory premises in the same building and joining a community of expert from different fields of Chemistry. The sustainable ecosystem in EriCa fits well in Espoo as the city has many times won the title of the most sustainable city in Europe” says Jaana Tuomi, Managing Director of Enter Espoo Oy.
More about the EriCa-projects next phases can be read at www.ericagcp.fi
Kemira to launch a new Growth Accelerator unit – Sampo Lahtinen appointed to lead the team
Kemira is launching a new Growth Accelerator unit to drive Kemira’s long-term growth in selected strategic initiatives. The new unit has two main objectives: to accelerate the commercialisation of new and unique biomaterials in Kemira’s current markets and to create business opportunities in new adjacent markets for both new and existing Kemira products.
Kemira’s strategy targets long-term growth through sustainability and being the leading provider of sustainable chemical solutions. Furthermore, Kemira has set a target of growing the revenue from Kemira’s biobased products to more than €500 million by 2030. Establishing the new unit is a concrete step that will help Kemira execute its strategy.