TechMetal unlocks new opportunities for advancing metal recycling, additive manufacturing and supply resilience
Disruptions in global supply chains have highlighted the importance of ensuring the availability of metals even in crisis situations. In the new TechMetal project, we are strengthening Kanta-Häme region’s industrial capacity to prepare for material shortages and utilize local metal side streams more efficiently.
The disruptions in global production and supply chains in recent years have shown how quickly material shortages can bring industry to a halt, underscoring the critical importance of metal availability, also in Kanta-Häme. When properly reused, locally collected scrap and metal side streams can reduce the region’s dependence on foreign raw materials and strengthen industrial resilience. Additive manufacturing, in turn, enables fast, local production and repair of components, shortening lead times, reducing material use, and supporting supply security.
In the new TechMetal – Advanced technologies to support security of supply project, our goal is to generate significant long-term benefits for companies in the region’s metal and manufacturing industries. We are strengthening the Kanta-Häme region’s industrial capacity to prepare for material shortages and supply chain disruptions, while improving the efficient use of local metal side streams. We are also developing a regional vision, strategy and action plan to optimise metal recycling and improve operational resilience.
We are mapping the current status of by-products, metal waste, and metal powders from metal companies in the region, as well as the potential for their utilization. We will conduct technical pre-studies and practical trials involving metal powders, such as testing the suitability of metal side streams for additive manufacturing. Using interviews, company data, and an analysis of the metal recycling situation in Kanta-Häme, we are building a comprehensive knowledge base that will help us identify the most important areas for development and design concrete solutions to improve the region’s security of supply.
The project also enables Finland’s first regional model that links metal recycling with local metal powder production and innovation activities.
Practical experiments in additive manufacturing strengthen companies’ expertise in circular economy
During the project, we offer companies the opportunity to participate in practical pilot experiments where they can test additive manufacturing solutions in their own processes. The trials are based on an overall understanding of local material flows, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to real needs and regional potential. This provides concrete benefits, particularly for companies that want to modernize their production cost-effectively, reduce raw material consumption, and assess the suitability of new technologies for their own business needs.
Throughout the project, companies will deepen their expertise of circular economy practices, resource efficiency and new business models, and their understanding of new manufacturing techniques and opportunities for recycling raw materials will help them make informed investment and development decisions. Companies will gain both new technical expertise and the capacity to adopt resource-wise practices in collaboration with other regional actors. At the end of the project, the key solutions and results will be transferred to companies through a regional strategy, demonstrations, and a strengthening collaboration network.
The project is implemented in cooperation with Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), who contribute strong expertise in laser-based repair and coating technologies, as well as in related imaging and measurement technologies.
Interested in hearing more? Get in touch with us, we are happy to tell you more about the opportunities the project offers!
TechMetal – Advanced technologies to support security of supply project is carried out from 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2028. The project operates in the Kanta-Häme region and targets metal and manufacturing companies, SMEs, startups and actors in the defence industry.
The project is co-funded by the European Union.
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