
Home | Blue Economy Mikkeli | BEM Centre of Excellence | RDI environments
Blue Economy Mikkeli’s RDI environments
The BEM Centre of Excellence includes several different RDI environments, some of which are located outside the wastewater treatment plant. BEM’s RDI environments are platforms for carrying out a wide range of RDI activities in the water sector.
Biogas production RDI environment
The RDI environment for biogas production consists of the BioSairila biorefinery and the RDI environments operating in connection with it. The most important of these is the BioLuuppi demonstration environment, which is used to develop and pilot practices and methods for improving the energy efficiency and profitability of biogas plants through better management of the production process.
BioSairila is an active developer of the EcoSairila area, seeking partnerships with organisations engaged in the processing and further refinement of biowaste. The use of the biomethane and digestate produced by our biorefinery offers new business opportunities for companies in the area.
Ville Kakkonen, CEO – BioSairila Oy
RDI environments for processing drainage and seepage water
The RDI environments for processing urban runoff waters and landfill leachate enable universities and companies to develop new methods and filtration materials for water treatment.
In EcoSairila area there is a a new type of demonstration environment built by XAMK University of Applied Sciences. The demonstration environment is developend in Deve project focusing on the treatment of leachate and stormwater from the municipal waste management site. The demonstration environment complements the existing EcoSairila development platform for water treatment RDI environments.
The Pitkäjärvi testsite is system suitable for testing filter materials such as biochar for treatung urban runoff waters. In addition, the data and experience gained from the runoffwater treatment systems in Urpolanlampi and Ristiina is benefitting RDI activities.
The environment implemented in Mikkeli offers tangible opportunities for the development and testing of new filtration materials based on biochar. We are pleased that companies’ development needs are taken into consideration when the urban infrastructure is built.

Charlotta Liukas, Development Director – Carbo Culture Oy
Wastewater treatment plant’s RDI environments
There are facilities for testing and piloting in connection with the wastewater treatment plant. The unique RDI environments enable diverse RDI activities and the benefits of a genuine wastewater treatment plant environment. The BEM Centre of Excellence’s RDI environment, with its diverse hardware environment and connection options, is intended for researching, developing, and testing circular economy solutions for water treatment and water supply.
Mikkeli Waterworks offers very practical and concrete ways to collaborate in developing processes and technology in the field of water management.
Reijo Turkki, Water Supply Manager – Mikkeli waterworks
Laboratories of the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK)
XAMK’s RDI environments related to environmental engineering, environmental safety, and water research consist of the environmental laboratory on the Mikkeli campus, the fibre laboratory in Savonlinna, and numerous RDI environments in various locations.
LUT University’s separation technology laboratories
LUT University’s department of separation technology researches and develops separation methods for various branches of industry. A research group with more than 30 members and a well-equipped laboratory creates a strong foundation for researching and developing different wastewater treatment methods, producing reclaimed water, and recovering nutrients and other valuable resources. LUT University’s department of separation technology also operates in Lappeenranta and Lahti. The Centre for Separation Technology, which is subordinated to the department, serves companies that are launching RDI projects.