The Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge 2025 final will take place on 27 October at SnowCastle, Kemi.
Now held for the fourth time, this international competition brings together European university students to develop new solutions for the utilisation of side streams from the mining, steel, and forest industries.
The event is by invitation only, but it will be streamed live for everyone on Tapojärvi’s YouTube channel. In the final, student teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges, and the winner will be chosen based on both jury and public votes.
The jury consists of experienced experts from the industrial, business and financial sectors. Their task is to evaluate the teams’ solutions from the perspectives of technical feasibility, sustainability, and market potential.
Building sustainable industry now
The Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge offers young European talents the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real industrial challenges and develop solutions that support circular economy and low-carbon production.
“We believe that the future of sustainable industry is created through collaboration—when students, researchers and companies join forces,” says Mari Pilventö, Acting CEO of Tapojärvi.
Tapojärvi’s sales and development team has supported and guided the finalist teams. In addition to a good idea, the innovations are assessed for their environmental impact, production process, economic potential and product markets.
“Through the competition, we gain new perspectives and innovations that can genuinely transform industrial operating models,” Pilventö believes.
The main prize is €10,000 and an opportunity to start a career path within the Tapojärvi Group.
European collaboration
This year’s final will be hosted by Simon Coen from Belgium, a member of the winning team in Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge 2023.
“The competition gave me valuable experience, networks and courage to develop ideas into practice. It’s great to return now as a host and see what the new teams have created,” says Coen.
The competition is organised in cooperation with EIT RawMaterials and supports Europe’s goals for circular economy and strategic autonomy.
The event is part of Tapojärvi’s 70th anniversary year.
Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge 2025 – Final
