Water keeps people alive, and for countries it is a strategic resource. Some have plenty, others very little. Demand for clean water and technology keeps growing. Four Finnish cities have built a platform where companies, research institutes and authorities take Finnish expertise into international waters.
Finland is one of the most water-rich and cleanest countries in the world. Water is stored as groundwater in the soil and bedrock, and as surface water in lakes, rivers and the sea.
The Finnish water cluster spans hundreds of companies, from large technology firms to research-driven innovators. Measurement technology, analytics, water quality monitoring and recycling solutions are developed here at the highest international level, closely tied to the circular economy and energy efficiency.
For a small country, Finland is a major power in water diplomacy. We combine broad technical expertise with long-term cooperation across our borders. Trust has been central to that success, and Finland is now taking this expertise abroad to support peaceful, secure and impartial access to water.
What is already happening?
Arctic water expertise as an export category. Mine wastewater, sulphate removal, cold-climate treatment. Arctic Water Excellence brings research and companies into shared projects.
A map of Finnish water expertise. Who knows what, where, and who to talk to.
Value recovered from water. Mine water isn’t just treated. Metals and nutrients are extracted for use as raw materials, and the work builds expertise in removing heavy metals from water.
Real-time measurement at small scale. Biosensors that test water quality from a handheld device. Tools for detecting microplastics and PFAS compounds in real time.
Water security and water diplomacy. Monitoring water quality, preparing for disruptions and contamination. Water diplomacy to negotiate water agreements across borders.
Finland as a Water Living Lab. The place where the world’s water solutions are tested first. Finnish solutions are already being piloted and networks are forming at water industry events around the world.
If your country is wrestling with wastewater, water
scarcity, ageing networks, or monitoring gaps,
there’s probability that Finnish companies has
already solved your version of the problem. Let’s
connect and start a conversation.
Jukka Hakola
jukka.hakola@savonia.fi
+358 44 785 5807
