Finland’s New Wood exhibition showcases opportunities of bioeconomy
News - Published 26.5.2025
On Monday 26 May, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah and two Members of the European Commission opened the New Wood exhibition in Brussels where Finland showcases bioeconomy solutions based on wood and the country’s strong competence and skills.
The New Wood exhibition features over 30 innovative wood-based products from Finland. The exhibition will be open at the European Commission until 6 June. The products show how forest-based solutions can contribute to the goals of the green transition in Europe.
“Finland believes that the key objective of the bioeconomy strategy should be to ensure the EU’s competitiveness. The objective should be to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and raw materials, promote industrial renewal, and advance the economies of rural areas in line with the EU’s rural vision,” Minister Sari Essayah said.
A public consultation is currently underway on updating the EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy. The strategy places circularity and sustainability at its core.
“Bio-based solutions and materials are crucial for decarbonising the EU’s economy while contributing to its competitiveness and offering new and complementary income sources, especially in rural areas. Our farmers and forest-owners provide the biomass that forms the basis of the bioeconomy value chains. It is important that these innovative bio-based materials and solutions can be scaled up and developed, to create value within a competitive European bioeconomy,” said Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.
“Together, we can shape a circular bioeconomy that delivers for people, the planet, and our economy,” said Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. “We want to take the global lead with a European bioeconomy, which is a key component of our resilience,” Roswall said.
Among the innovations featured at the New Wood exhibition are wood-based textiles and packagings that can replace fossil-based plastics. The New Wood exhibition at the European Commission is organised by the Finnish Forest Association, the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. New Wood is funded by its member companies and the Finnish Forest Foundation.
The exhibition is open daily from 26 May to 6 June 2025, to all accredited visitors to the European Commission’s Berlaymont building. A guide will be available on weekdays from 12:00 to 15:00.
Inquiries:
Anna Kauppi, Communications Manager, Finnish Forest Association, +358 400 702102, anna.kauppi@smy.fi
Virpi Korhonen, Project Manager, New Wood, +358 40 069 7973, virpi.korhonen@uusipuu.fi
New Wood project
New Wood solutions
Press release from Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 26.5.2025