France Meets Joensuu/Finland: Driving Circular Bioeconomy Collaboration

Xylofutur, in partnership with Forest Joensuu, is organizing a webinar titled “France Meets Joensuu/Finland: Driving Circular Bioeconomy Collaboration”

19 May 2026

In the context of global challenges linked to the ecological transition and circular economy, forests are a strategic resource for innovation, resilience, and sustainable development. Both in France and Finland, public policies and economic stakeholders are actively supporting the development of more circular and sustainable bio-based solutions by transforming forest resources into sustainable, innovative, and market-ready solutions.

In France, forests cover around one-third of the national territory, with approximately 75% privately owned, and a high diversity of deciduous trees. This diversity offers strong potential for innovation and experimentation across the wood and bioresource sectors.

In Finland, forests cover nearly 75% of the country, mostly coniferous (80%), with a well-structured forest industry strongly focused on exports. Finland is strongly committed to developing bio-based materials and strengthening traditional sectors such as puilp and paper, sawn timber, and packaging.

Although French and Finnish forests have different characteristics, they are complementary: the diversity and innovation capacity in France meets Finland’s technological and industrial expertise, paving the way for promising cross-border partnerships in the circular bioeconomy.

This webinar aims to bring together expertise, identify collaboration opportunities, and accelerate the adoption of innovative, sustainable, and circular solutions. More specifically, it seeks to support supporting the development of forest territories and SMEs/start-ups in the sector

Key Highlights and Objectives:

• Explore collaboration opportunities between France and Finland in the circular bioeconomy
• Identify trends and markets for solutions based on forest resources
• Present concrete examples of circular innovations and international partnerships
• Highlight the role of clusters and regional ecosystems in supporting SMEs and start-ups to scale internationally

Agenda:

Speakers:

🗣            GESH CONSULTING

🗣            Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)

🗣           Avec Naturel

🗣           Holiste

🗣           Proxipel

🗣           Hiil

🗣           Karelian Willow Ltd.

🗣            Xylofutur

🗣            Forest Joensuu