Things are really taking off in North Karelia’s “Plastic Valley”: from January to June, the plastics industry’s revenue grew by nearly 47 percent compared to the previous year. At the same time, export revenue grew by 13.5 percent. One example is Exel Composites, which expanded its facilities in Heinävaara and announced a major contract with a French airship manufacturer.
Overall, companies in North Karelia have had a strong start to the year, with revenue growing by 5.3 percent. In addition to the plastics industry, mining saw strong growth with a 34.7 percent increase, and construction grew by 11.5 percent. These figures are from the North Karelia Regional Council’s latest “Trends” economic review.
North Karelia is now experiencing strong growth momentum and new opportunities for businesses! We’ve compiled some of the most interesting news and current updates from across the region.
Kelluu, a manufacturer of hydrogen-powered airships, is building a new production and product development plant in Joensuu. This will triple the company’s manufacturing capacity. The facility is being built by Joensuun Yrityskiinteistöt Oy, a company owned by the City of Joensuu.
Composites manufacturer Exel Composites has opened a new 1,000-square-meter production facility at its Joensuu plant, where it manufactures extra-long tubes for French Flying Whales airships. The company employs approximately 200 people.
Asset management firm Redstone is launching a new €10 million private equity fund, the North Karelia Growth Fund II, which will continue to support promising early-stage growth companies in the region.
Mining company Endomines has discovered a new, 200-meter-long gold zone in Ukkolanvaara. Endomines is currently mining gold at the Pampalo and Hosko mines and employs 100 people in Ilomantsi.
The cornerstone for GTK Mintec’s new pilot plant was laid in Outokumpu on October 22. Scheduled for completion at the end of 2028, the pilot plant will strengthen research, development, and innovation in the minerals sector. In addition, the materials technology company Betolar is planning to locate a proof-of-concept (PoC) furnace next to GTK Mintec.
The University of Eastern Finland’s Photonics Research Center and Akita Prefecture in Japan signed a five-year agreement that will strengthen collaboration in photonics, robotics, and artificial intelligence, as well as open up new international opportunities.
Business Joensuu signed a cooperation agreement with the Daxing Hydrogen Economy Cluster in China, which opens up new opportunities for Finnish companies in the Chinese hydrogen market and promotes clean technology cooperation and investment in the Joensuu region.
The flight schedules between Joensuu and Helsinki were updated on October 25, 2026. The morning flight departs from Joensuu Monday through Thursday as early as 5:30 a.m., and the last return flight from Helsinki departs at 11:40 p.m. The new schedules facilitate international connecting flights, and the changes are designed to meet the needs of local businesses, tourists, and international operators in particular.
North Karelia has received the European Travel Awards 2026 recognition for its unique nature, rich Karelian cultural heritage, and hospitality.
Hanza, a manufacturer of thin steel sheets, is expanding production at its Joensuu plant with an investment of over 10 million euros. The plant, located in the GreenPark industrial park, will be expanded by 4,000 square meters.
Joensuu-based SeeTrue Technologies has raised 2.2 million euros in funding, which the company will use to commercialize its products for smart glasses, healthcare, and industrial applications.
Joensuu will serve as the main venue for the Skål International World Congress. The event is expected to bring 400–600 tourism professionals from around the world to the region.
Motonet, part of the Joensuu-based Broman Group, continues its determined international expansion. There are already eight Motonet stores operating in Sweden, and at least four new stores will open in 2027.
The international Falling Walls event will be held in Joensuu in June 2027. Falling Walls is a pitch event for science-based innovations held in 60 countries.
14 companies will be selected for the pitch competition to be held in Helsinki in November, where they will compete by presenting their business ideas and solutions in short pitches to investors, large corporations, and public sector decision-makers.
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The “Good News from Joensuu” newsletter is published as part of the Innokaupunki Joensuu project, which is co-funded by the EU and the Regional Council of North Karelia.