# Forest industry side streams could be utilized almost 100%

> According to Finnoflag’s microbiological research, soil sustainability can be increased with forest industry sidestreams.

## Microbiological Biorefinery Principles
Adjunct Professor Elias Hakalehto (University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, Finnoflag Oy) visited Savonia University of Applied Sciences in April 2026 to lecture on the principles of a microbiological biorefinery. Hakalehto, a recipient of the ISEI Fellowship Award, specializes in the biotechnical research and utilization of microbes to produce valuable commodities.

Biorefinery products in pilot projects led by Finnoflag have included:
* Lactate from milk sugar (lactose)
* Energy gases, such as hydrogen and methane
* Biofuels, such as ethanol and butanol
* Platform chemicals (raw materials for plastic, synthetic rubber, cosmetics, and textiles)
* Carriers for the pharmaceutical industry, such as mannitol
* Organic soil conditioners
* Cleanup of polluted soils and waters

## Addressing the Global Soil Crisis
Soil degradation is a major threat to global food security. According to UN reports, approximately 15 million square kilometers of soil have been degraded, with UNESCO warning that up to 90% of the world's land could be unsuitable for agriculture by 2050. 

Hakalehto suggests that processing forest industry side streams into substances that strengthen soil resilience and its microbiome can help curb this trend. Microbes—including bacteria, microfungi, and algae—form a living network that maintains nutrient cycles, balances water and mineral availability, and mitigates erosion and climate stress.

## Utilizing Forest Industry Side Streams
Forest industry side streams, such as fiber clay and "zero fiber" (short wood fibers), offer significant potential for soil improvement:
* **Water Retention:** Fibers increase the soil's water retention capacity, acting as a reservoir during drought.
* **Soil Fertility:** Organic matter from these streams improves nutrient binding, reducing phosphorus leaching into waterways.
* **Microbial Activation:** Adding zero-fiber to fields activates microbes to break down fiber, releasing nutrients and strengthening soil structure. 

In Finland, an estimated 420,000 tons of dry matter fiber sludge are produced annually. When processed, these materials can act as long-lasting soil conditioners that bind carbon, water, and nutrients for three to five years.

## Industrial Bioprocesses and Pilot Projects
Finnoflag Oy utilizes natural microbes and industrial microbial strains to create mixed cultures that generate products with high productivity. This approach is energy-efficient and offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based raw materials.

Key pilot projects and partners include:
* **ABOWE Project (EU Baltic Sea Region):** Tested biorefinery pilot plants in Finland, Poland, and Sweden. Trials at the Powerflute Savon Sellu mill (now Mondi) demonstrated potential for hydrogen production from wastewater and sludge.
* **Zero Waste from Zero Fibre (Tampere, 2018-2019):** Utilized 1.5 million cubic meters of zero fiber from the bottom of Lielahti in Näsijärvi. The project achieved world-record productivity for mannitol (13%) and lactate (14.7%).
* **BioResque Project (2023-2025):** Focused on converting pulp and paper industry side streams into effective soil conditioners.
* **Industry Partners:** Collaborations have included Honkajoki Oy and HKFoods Oyj (formerly HKScan Oyj).

## References and Further Reading
* **Forest News 2026:** *Teollisuuden jätteestä ruokaturvan pelastajaksi: metsäteollisuuden sivuvirrat voivat ylläpitää ja palauttaa maaperän tuottavuutta.* (19.2.2026)
* **MaintWorld 2025:** *The Microbial Revolution.* (14.3.2025)
* **MaintWorld 2026:** *Soil Microbes and Forest Industry Side Streams: The Hidden Maintenance System for Global Food Security.* (19.3.2026)
* **Hakalehto, E. et al. 2022:** *Record level productivity of lactate from a century-old cellulosic deposit on the lake bottom in Tampere, Finland.* EGU General Assembly 2022.
* **Hakalehto, E. 2025a:** *Mixed Cultures in Industrial Bioprocesses.* Springer.
* **Hakalehto, E. 2025b:** *Microbes sustain industrial ecosystems and food production.* 11th International Conference on Food Chemistry & Technology.