Tapojarvi

Tapojärvi Open Innovation Challenge 2025 for Students

Create zero-waste in the raw materials industry & Be part of the circular economy revolution
Pre - Registration is open.

Calling on innovative solutions that minimise the environmental impact in the mining, forest, and steel industries.

Tapojärvi, in partnership with EIT Raw Materials, is seeking talented students to develop innovations to support the circular economy in the raw materials industry. The Tapojärvi Open Innovation Challenge 2025 seeks novel solutions for extracting valuable substances from waste or side streams in three areas of the raw materials industry: the stainless steel, mining, and forest industries.

Teams of two to four students are invited to develop innovative solutions that can reduce the environmental impact of these industries. By creating new products and services from waste or side streams, your team can make a meaningful contribution to sustainable industrial practices while working with industry experts.

If you are interested in joining the challenge – pre-register here.

 

What is the scope of the challenge?

Are you ready to tackle one of the three significant environmental challenges? Do you have ideas on how to overcome these challenges?

We’re looking for fresh solutions to reduce the environmental impact in the following areas:

Tapojarvi Ore
Mining industry side streams

Waste rock and tailings are the main waste products of the mining industry. Tapojärvi is exploring ways to turn these materials into valuable resources, such as low-carbon binders and construction materials. We’re looking for cost-effective, low-carbon ideas to reuse mining side streams locally. Do you have a solution?

Tapojarvi Steel
Stainless steel industry side streams

Steel production generates massive amounts of slag and dust. Tapojärvi processes these by-products, but we need new ideas to repurpose them efficiently. We’re looking for cost-effective, low-carbon solutions that can utilise large volumes of slag. Can you help us?

Tapojarvi Forest
Forest industry side streams

The pulp industry creates various by-products, some of which are tough to utilise. Tapojärvi has already made progress with some of its solutions, including producing soil cement from green liquor dregs. Now, we’re on the hunt for new ways to repurpose forest industry side streams. Do you have a low-carbon, cost-effective idea?

What is in for you?

This challenge is perfect for students who are passionate about making a positive environmental impact and who are studying in one of the following areas:

  • Engineering
  • Chemical engineering
  • Metallurgy
  • any discipline related to the raw material value chain and forest industry  

What is in for you?

The three top teams will receive expert coaching. The winning team can expect a €10.000 prize, while the second and third teams will receive €3000, 

respectively €2000.

Furthermore, winners get the possibility of working within the Tapojärvi group and their solution could evolve into a product to be deployed by Tapojärvi.

Successful teams will be invited to pitch in front of industry experts. The top teams will be asked to make it to the final.

About Tapojärvi

Finnish company Tapojärvi is a global leader in the industrial circular economy, offering innovative solutions to minimise environmental impact across the raw materials sector.

By transforming industrial side streams into valuable resources, Tapojärvi extends the lifecycle of materials for sectors like steel, pulp and paper, construction, and mining. Tapojärvi’s solutions for the mining industry include geopolymer cover structures, dust control solutions and water treatment solutions. 

Important Dates

Tapojarvi Timeline

All you need to know about the challenge before you apply.

Teams of 2- 4 students can apply to the Tapojärvi Open Innovation Challenge.