In the autumn, there was plenty of reason to celebrate, as positive news from Eastern Finland kept coming one after another. Photonics company Nanocomp announced it will expand its production to Joensuu and take on a leading role in the new Photonics Manufacturing Hub.
Good News from Joensuu
December 2025
End of the Year Highlights in Eastern Finland: Photonics Growth, Data Centers and Green Hydrogen
As the year comes to a close, we would like to warmly thank all our partners and stakeholders for the valuable cooperation throughout the past year. Your trust, commitment and collaboration have been essential to our work. We wish you a peaceful holiday season and a successful start to the new year.
In the autumn, there was plenty of reason to celebrate, as positive news from Eastern Finland kept coming one after another. Photonics company Nanocomp announced it will expand its production to Joensuu and take on a leading role in the new Photonics Manufacturing Hub. Secondly, the data center planned for Kitee, bringing up to 100 permanent jobs, was confirmed. Meanwhile, P2X Solutions received an environmental permit for a green hydrogen and synthetic methanol production facility in Joensuu.
Nanocomp Becomes the Flagship Company of a New High-Tech Business Park in Joensuu
The availability of expertise, proximity to the university, and strong collaboration opportunities with stakeholders convinced Nanocomp to invest in and establish its production facilities at the new Photonics Manufacturing Hub in Joensuu.
The arrival of a Norwegian-UK data centre gives a boost to Kitee
A Norwegian–UK AI data center developer, Scale42, plans to build a new AI data centre in Kitee’s Puhos industrial area, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and operations starting in 2027–28. The project is set to create 50–100 permanent high-skilled jobs and support economic diversification, while leveraging Finland’s clean electricity mix to deliver low-carbon AI capacity for the European market.
P2X Solutions has received an environmental permit for a green hydrogen and synthetic methanol production facility.
P2X Solutions Oy is planning a renewable hydrogen and synthetic methanol production facility in Iiksenvaara, Joensuu. The fuels would be used in maritime and aviation transport. The final investment decision is expected next year. The permit decision issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Eastern Finland is a significant step toward the construction of Finland’s largest green hydrogen production facility.
Carbonaide's first precast manufacturer client Precast concrete manufacturer Lipa-Betoni is making history by becoming the first precast element manufacturer in the world to adopt Carbonaide® technology at its Naarajärvi plant in Southern Savonia. The technology enables the permanent storage of carbon dioxide in precast concrete elements, reduces the use of cement and lowers the carbon footprint of production by more than 60 percent.
Kontiomehu has launched a major expansion of its production facilities in the Raatekangas area of Joensuu.
The company, known for its non-alcoholic Lehtikuohu beverage, will expand its premises from the current 800 square metres to 1,800 square metres. The value of the investment is €1.5 million.
ProVerse Interactive has acquired Joensuu-based Nolwenture to strengthen its technological capabilities and support its global growth. The acquisition accelerates ProVerse’s expansion in metaverse solutions and integrates Nolwenture’s expertise into the group, enabling scalable global operations and high-quality digital services across multiple sectors.
Borderland Europe – a Digital Border Security Ecosystem
The two-year Borderland Europe project launched on 1 October 2025 with the aim of building a digital border security testing environment and ecosystem in the Joensuu region. The project seeks to develop next-generation digital border security solutions, strengthen regional attractiveness, attract new investments and companies, and expand commercial opportunities in the sector.
Collaboration has already been initiated with several partners, including a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Digital Defence Ecosystem, and momentum continued with the successful Borderland Goes Slush event, which brought together around 300 industry stakeholders.
Eastern Finland Energy Forum 2025: Finland’s Electricity Grid Faces Historic Expansion to Power the Green Transition
The Eastern Finland Energy Forum 2025, held in English for the first time, gathered over 200 participants from across the energy sector, including grid operators, developers, municipalities, and industry leaders. The forum served as a platform for strategic dialogue on the future of Finland’s electricity infrastructure, with a special focus on Eastern Finland’s role in the national energy transition. The event took place in Joensuu October 21-22, 2025.
Five regions in Eastern Finland — North Karelia, North Savo, South Karelia, South Savo and Kymenlaakso — have joined forces to strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem and boost its appeal to investors, talent and growth companies. The initiative aims to position Eastern Finland as an equal contender alongside Finland’s leading startup hubs.
Outokummun Energia has connected a data center that has recently started operations to its district heating network. Inside the container building located in the yard of the Miilu heating plant, there are 480 servers that produce heat for Outokumpu residents. The data center can cover up to half of Outokumpu's district heating.
The long-standing cooperation on forest bioeconomy is built on the idea of North Karelia serving as a gateway to Japan in forest-based bioeconomy. Funded mainly by the EU and the Regional Council of North Karelia, the project has aimed to pool resources across research, education and tourism, while supporting local economic growth.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Applications for the Susicorn Startup Competition open soon!
Submit your brightest business idea or startup in January 1-31, 2026
Do you have the brightest business idea or startup innovation shaping the future of technology and business?
The winner will receive an exciting prize package valued at €15,000 - including a monetary award and workspace - as well as an exclusive direct entry to FiBAN Pitch Finland in spring 2026.
Pitch your idea - own the stage - win - become the Unicorn!
SOHJO Business Event - Shaping the Luminous Future
SOHJO, March 26–27, 2026 at Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel, Joensuu
SOHJO Business Event 2026 is Eastern Finland’s biggest business event and an international festival of inspiration, technology and creativity. It brings together startups, companies, investors, innovators and other future-makers for luminous business encounters and as a stage for the future of business.
Keynote speakers:
Peter Vesterbacka – Founder, Brand Breaker & Global Visionary, “The Mighty Eagle” of Innovation
Sanna Rautio – Voice of the East, Head of RevOps at Avidly Agency
Ronny Eriksson – Creative Provocateur, Founder of ODDFest
Kari Kola – International Light Artist
The full SOHJO program will be announced in January 2026.
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