Coastal reed harvesting and the utilisation of reed accelerate the blue economy – the first Reed Fair in Helsinki

Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea’s shores and the decline of coastal grazing have accelerated the growth of common reed. Reed has displaced all other vegetation over large areas in numerous shallow bays, and many shores have become overgrown. Coastal reed biomass contains a lot of nutrients that contribute to the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. By harvesting reed beds and collecting the reed biomass, nutrients can be removed from the coastal waters while producing climate-friendly raw material for many different purposes. 

The EU-funded BalticReed project, which started in 2023, has advanced reed harvesting and accelerated reed-based businesses in mainland Finland, the Åland Islands and Sweden. The project is financed by the EU’s Interreg Central Baltic programme, which funds cross-border cooperation projects that improve the coastal and marine environment. 

The Reed Fair offers a unique opportunity to explore reed products and industry actors

Within the framework of the project, the first reed sector fair is now being organised, bringing together entrepreneurs to showcase their products and activities. In addition to entrepreneurs, the Reed to Revenue – BalticReed Fair, convenes financiers, researchers, authorities, designers and other industry professionals.  The fair programme includes, among other things, information on sustainable reed harvesting, speeches from entrepreneurs with long experience in the industry as well as a “Pike Tank” innovation competition. 

‘Reed is a versatile but so far rather underused raw material that can replace materials such as peat. It works as a material for disposable tableware and packaging, among other applications. Reed is already utilised in many ways, but there is still a lot of growth potential,‘ says project manager Sonja Jaari from the John Nurminen Foundation. 

The event also serves as the final seminar of the BalticReed project. In 2023–2026, the BalticReed project has included harvesting about 200 hectares of reed and collaboration with more than a hundred companies and other actors to increase the sustainable utilisation of reed. Guidelines for e.g. ecologically sustainable harvesting have also been created.

Reed utilisation is an example of a sustainable blue economy solution

Interest in renewable materials is growing, and reed has been tested, for example, in composites which could be used in commodity items, packaging materials and car interiors, reducing plastic use. There is also growth potential in the construction industry. The green transition accelerates the testing and use of renewable raw materials. The EU’s goal to become climate-neutral by 2050, while the global target is to phase out fossil fuels within the same timeline. The targets require, among other things, reducing the use of fossil-based plastics. Reed offers a renewable and sustainable alternative when harvesting and logistics are planned carefully. 

The EU’s Blue Economy Action Plan aims to protect and sustainably use  the marine environment. Sustainable harvesting and utilisation of reed is a step towards this goal.

The public and media are invited to participate

Place: Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Jan-Magnus Janssonin aukio 1, Helsinki 
Time: Friday 29 January 2026, 12:00–17:00
Contact for media inquiries: Communication Specialist Säde Mäkipää, sade.makipaa@jnfoundation.fi, +358 50 383 9292

More information about BalticReed at the project webpage  
Project partners: John Nurminen Foundation, ELY Centre for Southwest Finland, Arcada University of Applied Sciences, the Government of Åland, the County Administrative Board of Östergötland and Race for the Baltic.