Lahti is part of the Helsinki metropolitan area and among the largest growth centres in Finland. An unsurpassed location guarantees fast and easy transport in Finland, Europe and further into international markets.
The youngest university city in Finland and the European Green Capital 2021 provides a top environment for growing and sustainable business as well as living and leisure.
There are fast connections to Helsinki Airport and the harbours in Southern Finland.
The easily accessible and cost-efficient surroundings together with the strong local networks and centres of excellence support companies on their way to growth and success.
Lahti – The European Green Capital 2021
The European Commission chose Lahti as the European Green Capital 2021. The award is proof of Lahti’s persistent work as one of the leading European environmental cities. Lahti has set an ambitious target: in 2025, it will be the first of Finland’s major cities to be carbon neutral. This is 10 years ahead of the national target and 25 years ahead of the EU target. To achieve this goal, Lahti will continue to work towards a sustainable future.
In 2022, Lahti was selected as one of the 100 European pioneer cities to be part of the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
The Lahti Region
is home to over
200 000
inhabitants of whom
120 000
live in Lahti.
There are approximately
11 000
companies.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The Lahti region has been a pioneer in environmental matters since the 1990s: we cleaned Lake Vesijärvi, we were among the first to start efficient recycling of waste, and we invested in environmental business and research. Today, we are one of Finland's most significant centres of environmental expertise and business, with two universities as well as dozens of companies. Together they constantly develop new areas of circular business, such as utilization methods and applications for the side streams of industry and energy production.
- Finland’s most important business and innovation centre in the recycling industry.
- Recycling and waste utilisation has been developed since the early 1990’s.
- Top-level research supports development of new high-value products & solutions.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
The best groundwater in the world, the availability of key raw materials and an excellent logistical location are significant reasons why the Lahti region has one of the largest concentrations of the food industry in Finland. Our leading companies, such as Fazer Group, Hartwall and Viking Malt, are investing heavily in new production facilities, R&D and circular economy.
In the Lahti region, there are especially business activities that process grain - the beverage and bakery industry. The local Grain Cluster represents the entire value chain from grain farmers to industry and retail, with over 3000 employees and 600 M€ turnover.
- Largest cluster of grain-related expertise in Finland.
- Pioneers in circular economy.
- High-quality research and product development.
- 165 M€ investments 2017-2023.
E-MOBILITY CLUSTER
The Lahti region is a pole position for the development of electronic transport solutions and new business. Here, the strong know-how of the vehicle industry, logistics, as well as electrical engineering and power electronics are combined into new applications that will revolutionize traffic and mobility. In the Lahti region, you are also at the center of traffic flows and logistics, offering excellent opportunities to test and develop heavy traffic technologies and solutions.
Lahti GEM - The Lahti electric transport cluster is a cooperation platform for companies, universities, and cities to develop technologies and solutions for the electrification of transport. The cluster already includes dozens of companies from the sectors of vehicle production, charging solutions, traffic digitalization, logistics and energy production.
- Strong expertise in logistics and heavy-duty vehicles.
- World-class technology in e-charging systems.
- Kymiring test environment for developing future e-mobility solutions.
- City of Lahti invests in sustainable mobility.
LAHTI SPORTS HUB
Northern Europe's strongest sports city is also the number one location for business related to sports, exercise and well-being. Lahti brings together top-class sports facilities, product development and testing opportunities, high-level education and research, international networks and a developing startup ecosystem.
The Lahti region has a particularly strong business base in sports and leisure equipment manufacturing, training and coaching expertise, as well as health technology manufacturing.For example, the sportswear manufacturer Luhta, the sports equipment brands Gymstick and Dinox, the fishing equipment manufacturer Rapala, Startex, known for its ski waxes, and the health technology manufacturers Merivaara and Fysioline Production, have gone out into the world from here.
- Lahti is one of the leading winter sports cities in the world.
- World class sports facilities and two Olympic Training Centers.
- Brings together sports business and technology development as well as high-level expertise in training.
- Gateway to the international markets.
Youngest university city in Finland
Since 2019, Lahti has been a home to Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT campus. Lahti is youngest but also the fastest growing university city in Finland.
LUT University
Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) seeks solutions with its expertise in technology and business. The university's research helps society and companies in their sustainable renewal. The international scientific community of LUT University has 7500 members, and its campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti.
In Lahti, LUT University's research fields are focused to e.g. biorefining, sustainability sciences, management and service innovations, and digital business. In Lahti, you can currently study in three bachelor's and eight master's programs from industrial management to electric transport systems.
- 6000 students
- TOP 300 university in the world, 9th in the world in climate action
- Finland’s most international university: over 80 nationalities
- Top areas of research: clean energy, air, water, sustainable business
LAB University of Applied Sciences
LAB University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Finland, almost 9000 students in its Lahti and Lappeenranta campuses. At LAB, you can study technology, business administration, social and health care, hotel, restaurant and tourism, as well as design, visual arts and visual communication.
The Lahti campus has 5000 students, of which 400 are international degree students. All students from different fields can be found under one roof. The Lahti campus is known for, among other things, the internationally renowned Institute of Design, as well as its RDI activities in close co-operation with the local industry.
- 6th largest university of applied sciences in Finland
- Around 5000 students in Lahti
- Strength areas: circular economy, design, innovations and health
- Active RDI cooperation with the companies
