The Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge: A powerful pipeline for circular innovation and skills development

The EU’s transition to a circular economy, as outlined in the Circular Economy Action Plan, a core pillar of the European Green Deal, is central to meeting climate targets, reducing resource dependency, and boosting sustainable growth. But as this shift accelerates, two persistent challenges have come into focus: the need for greater innovation in circular practices and a growing shortage of skilled professionals in the raw materials sector.

With over 1.2 million skilled workers needed across Europe’s raw materials sector by 2030, the talent gap is already constraining growth. At the same time, demand is rising for circular economy solutions that can reduce waste, cut emissions, and recover valuable materials.

Tackling these issues requires not only technical ingenuity but also new ways of connecting emerging talent with industry, which is exactly what the Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge (OIC) aims to do.

A hands-on response to real-world problems

Now in its fourth edition –  and partnering with EIT RawMaterials for the second time – the Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge invites students to come up with zero-waste solutions for the mining, stainless steel, and forest industries.  

“The challenge offers a valuable opportunity to discover new and creative ideas, ones that might not emerge from our own internal perspectives,” says Mari Pilventö, Tapojärvi’s CEO.

In the ongoing 2025 edition, multidisciplinary teams have been working on low-carbon innovations that recover value from side streams such as slag, tailings, dust, and pulp by-products. Finalists will receive expert coaching and a chance to explore future collaboration with Tapojärvi.

Supporting the Open Innovation Challenge is part of EIT RawMaterials’ broader mission to bridge education and industry by turning real business challenges into learning opportunities. This approach is reflected in initiatives such as the European Raw Materials Academy and custom courses, which deliver tailored training for students and professionals to apply their skills to practical problems, gain direct industry experience, and develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to turn new ideas into workable solutions.

Why it matters - for students and for industry

For Tapojärvi, the Open Innovation Challenge is a strategic tool to drive innovation, attract fresh perspectives, and strengthen its long-term position in the circular economy.

For companies like Tapojärvi, teaming up with EIT RawMaterials means being able to tap into a Europe-wide network of over 250 universities as well as having support from experts in their field to choose the best candidates.

“The challenge has been an excellent way to connect with new talent and potential collaboration partners through the EIT RawMaterials network. In fact, Tapojärvi has hired some participants from past challenges into its own teams,” says Mari Pilventö, Tapojärvi’s CEO.  

She also explained that open innovation challenges in collaboration with EIT RawMaterials help broaden the industry’s thinking and provide a platform to bring students into the heart of industrial circularity. “It encourages them to experiment, be bold, and grow with each edition. Each time we have been able to guide them and challenge them more - and the results keep getting better and better,” she adds.

The initiative also plays a role in building Tapojärvi’s visibility and credibility as an innovation leader. By engaging with emerging talent, the company is not only scouting future hires but also reshaping perceptions of the raw materials industry as dynamic, collaborative, and full of potential.

“It’s great to show students how the industry works in practice,” says Pilventö. “How important open-mindedness is - and how an idea that initially seems crazy can become a nature-saving business opportunity.” 

The benefits extend to industry too. As Pilventö explains, “The Challenge allows industry players to step outside their daily routines, explore out-of-the-box business ideas, and focus on future development. At the same time, they offer a way to strengthen the industry’s image and increase visibility.”

By engaging with emerging talent and fresh ideas, the Open Innovation Challenge helps companies like Tapojärvi stay competitive, ahead of the game and visibly committed to sustainability and innovation.

Find out more about Open Innovation Challenges by EIT RawMaterials