Reed to Revenue – BalticReed Fair
29.1.2026
Arcada University of Applied Sciences
Jan-Magnus Janssonin aukio 1, Helsinki
The world’s biggest (and probably the first) Reed Fair! Whether you’re looking to connect, collaborate, or contribute to the future of reed-based solutions, this fair is the place to be.
Reed is a versatile raw material whose potential has not yet been widely utilized. Its harvesting from the shores reduces the nutrient load of the Baltic Sea, and by replacing, for example, peat and plastic with reed, many products become more environmentally friendly than they are now.
At the BalticReed Fair event, entrepreneurs, financiers, researchers and authorities gather together to contemplate the future possibilities of using reed. On display are many wonderful reed products and information about, among other things, the ecologically sustainable harvesting practices.
The event highlights the sustainable ways of using reed and the future business opportunities.
Register for the reed fair no later than 16 January 2026.
Programme (held in english)
11:30 Doors open to fair area and auditorium
12:00 Intro: Welcome to the world’s biggest (and probably the only) Reed Fair! Opening remarks: John Nurminen Foundation’s CEO Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt & Member of the European Parliament Ville Niinistö (The Greens in Finland)
12:25–13:40 From Reed to Revenue:
story and achievements of the BalticReed project
Project Manager Sonja Jaari / John Nurminen Foundation & Business Manager Anil Ramel Singh / Race for the Baltic
13:40–14:25 Shaping the Rules – Legislation, Ecology & Monitoring
Utredare Maria Gustavsson / Länsstyrelsen Östergötland &
Coordinator Michelle Kozlova / ELY Center for Southwest Finland
12:55 – 13:40 Coffee, Networking, Fair & Lab Visit: From the Baltic Sea to new biomaterials and products
Connect with participants, explore the fair, and visit the labs behind the research.
14:25–15:10 Reed Harvesting and Logistics – Stories and Collaboration in Action
Stubbfräsarna’s journey – from an idea to a thriving reed business
Joakim de Capretz / Stubbfräsarna Syd AB
Panel discussion: Municipal collaboration in reed harvesting and logistics
Panelists: Johan Wegenke and Hanna Berggren / Kalmar Kommun, Joakim de Capretz / Stubbfräsarna Syd AB, Johanna Holmén / Raws, Erik Lund / Kemiönsaaren kunta & Henrik Jensen / Ruokomestarit
14:25 – 15:10 Coffee, Networking, Fair & Lab Visit
15:10 – 16:20 PIKE TANK – Innovation, Funding & Creating Value
Presentation: The reed value chain and funding opportunities – who funds what?
Business Manager Anil Ramel Singh / Race for the Baltic
Blue Economy & Ecosystem Advisor Alina Sippolainen / A’Pelago
PikeTank Pitching Competition: Bold ideas and creative solutions shaping the future of reed products
Pitchers representing e.g.: Ruoco Oy, Nexamass Oy, Ruokomestarit – Premium Finnish Reed Oy, Sjöutsikt Sverige AB
Pikes representing e.g.: A’Pelago Experience Ab, Ålandsbanken, Nordic Environment Finance Corporation Nefco, Apotea AB
16:20 – 16:40 Wrap-up & BalticReed Summary
16:40 – 17:00 Pitching Competition Winner & Closing Words
We remove nutrients from eutrophicated coastal waters by mowing reed beds and promoting the utilisation of reed biomass.
