Finland's Forest-Based Bioeconomy in the Spotlight at Expo 2025
As the most forested country in Europe, Finland is globally recognized for pioneering the forest-based bioeconomy. Combining technological innovation with sustainable practices, Finland is revolutionizing industries—such as textiles, packaging, and construction—while leading efforts to tackle global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity.
News 25.9.2025
Forests play a vital role in addressing global megatrends like resource scarcity and climate change. Leveraging wood as a renewable, recyclable resource, Finland is driving sustainable innovation while promoting eco-conscious consumer behavior and resilient economies. Wood is a renewable and fully recyclable raw material that can significantly reduce dependence on fossil-based resources.
Innovating Sustainability Through Forest-Based Bioeconomy – Bar is set high
Finland aims to be a leader in sustainable bioeconomy by 2035. During its participation in the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, Finland will showcase its expertise in the sustainable bioeconomy and clean transition. To promote the wellbeing of society, Finland’s updated national Bioeconomy Strategy (2022-2035) pays attention to the holistic sustainability of the bioeconomy. Finland’s innovations — from renewable energy solutions to plastic replacing materials and low-carbon timber construction—underline its ambition. Key cross-border collaborations, such as with Japan, further accelerate progress toward these goals.
"Bioeconomy is an exceptionally important sector for Finland. We emphasize the potential to produce higher value-added products and services in an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable manner", says Sari Essayah, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. The minister participated in two events; a food themed event "Food for Thoughts" and the bioeconomy event 'Wood for Thoughts', organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which showcased dozens of Finnish companies in Osaka.
Minister Essayah highlights the importance of international cooperation to tackle pressing issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. Sustainable management of natural resources can be a part of the solution.
Events at Nordic Pavilion attracted a full house. Minister Sari Essayah opening the "Wood for Thought" event.
Pioneering Companies Driving Change
Finnish companies are revolutionizing industries with innovative wood-based solutions. Metsä Group has created Kuura textile fiber, made from the pulp of Finland’s fossil-free bioproduct mills. Developed in collaboration with Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation and piloted with fashion brand THE RERACS, Kuura boasts with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than competing textile fibres, showcasing Finland’s leadership in sustainable bioeconomy innovation.
”In Finland, we already use wood in a very diverse way. However, this does not mean that industrial operators, like Metsä Group, should not constantly look for even better ways to use it. New pulp-based products, such as Kuura textile fiber, are an excellent example of this goal,” says Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring.
Fashion from the Finnish forest: a sauna clothing collection from the Kuura fibre is designed by Krista Virtanen. Photo: Mikko Ryhänen
Wood for Thoughts: Redefining Design and Construction
There are plentiful examples where beautiful design relates to more environmentally friendly final products. Woodio® lead the way with groundbreaking innovations, such as the world’s first 100% waterproof wood composite for bathrooms—a sustainable alternative to ceramics and stone.
Paptic® material feels soft to the touch, is durable and does not harm sensitive metal, wood or leather surfaces. It can also be used to protect electronic visual displays and other electronic appliances. Other Paptic® applications include carrier bags, e-commerce mailers, hygiene packaging, garment bags, poly bags, and dry food packaging.
In construction, Finnish companies like Keitele Group and Honkarakenne represent ecological excellence, utilizing renewable resources to craft energy-efficient, sustainable solutions.
Together, these innovations highlight the immense potential of wood to shape a greener, healthier future.
Finland at Expo 2025:
Finland participates the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 together with the Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Project is operated by Business Finland. Main partners of Finland include Nokia, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finnair, Metsä Group, Metaverse Day, City of Jyväskylä, City of Oulu and 5G Mökki.