Clusters & Networks
Päijät-Häme Grain Cluster
Päijät‑Häme Grain Cluster brings together the region’s grain value chain operators – from farmers to processing companies and educational institutions – to promote networking, cooperation and awareness of the region’s grain expertise.
Päijät‑Häme Grain Cluster – Together Towards Competitive, Sustainable Solutions
What is the Päijät‑Häme Grain Cluster?
The Päijät‑Häme Grain Cluster is a cooperation network established in 2003, connecting local grain farmers, companies processing grain raw material, and educational organisations. The entire value chain is represented in the network, from primary production to industry and retail.
The Clusters' strategic focus areas include RDI activities, collaboration with educational institutions, Salpausselkä Water branding, strengthening the regional brand, and supporting the success of primary producers.
Concrete Benefits for Companies
- A cooperation platform and network that gives your company greater influence.
- New products and innovations – and improved utilisation of production side streams.
- Securing future workforce availability through close collaboration with educational institutions.
- Opportunity to participate in the Salpausselkä Water EU name protection process.
- Access to international projects and branding initiatives.
Activities and Events
The Grain Cluster has been active for 20 years, with its focus on circular economy themes – such as utilising production side streams – as well as strengthening the sector’s visibility.
Examples include:
- “Grain Club”, a discussion forum for farmers, and annual topical seminars organised jointly with processors.
- Food Campus Finland (FCF network), a cooperation platform, strengthening the region’s capabilities in developing plant‑based food solutions. Participation in FCF is de minimis support for companies.
- Close cooperation with the Päijät‑Häme educational sector to ensure a skilled workforce for the future.
Who Is the Cluster For?
For all companies and primary producers operating within the Päijät‑Häme grain value chain, as well as educational institutions and other sector stakeholders – especially those aiming to develop through cooperation, RDI activities and marketing.
How to Join?
Contact LADEC’s Henrik Yli‑Seppälä, who coordinates cluster cooperation.
Want to know more? Get in touch!
Henrik Yli-Seppälä
Head of Business Development
Food & Beverage
+358 440 263 584
henrik.yli-seppala@ladec.fi
Food Campus Finland (FCF Network) project (Dnr A80890) mentioned above was carried out by LAB University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with LADEC from Janurary 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 with the funding of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021-2027 - EU regional and structural policy programme, granted by the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme. The objective of the project was to enable the operation of the Food Campus Finland platform, both nationally and internationally, to build national and regional competence and infrastructure and to support the development of plant‑based food solutions, while strengthening Päijät‑Häme’s position as a competitive food industry competence centre. Participation in the project constituted de minimis aid for companies.
