From energy production to new growth: Soilfood turns Alva’s bottom ash into fertilisers 

Originally published in Finnish on energy company Alva’s website on 14 October 2026. Read the full press release (in Finnish) on Alva’s website.

Finnish energy company Alva and circular economy company Soilfood have signed an agreement to use bottom ash from Alva’s power plants in Jyväskylä, Finland, as a raw material for fertilisers. Through the partnership, a by-product of Alva’s energy production gains a new use, and nutrients contained in biomass are returned to agriculture and forestry. 

Bottom ash is generated at Alva’s power plants when biomass is burned to produce heat and electricity. Part of the nutrients and minerals in the biomass remain in the ash. Soilfood processes the material suitable for fertiliser use into products that replenish soil nutrients and support plant growth. 

“Bottom ash has previously been used in earthworks. Now the nutrients it contains can also be returned to circulation. The biomass first produces heat and electricity, and the nutrients left in the ash can then support new growth in fields and forests,” says Janne Hakonen, Operations Manager, Energy Production at Alva. 

Better growing conditions, lower emissions 

For more than a decade, Soilfood has been processing industrial by-products into products for farms and industry. For each by-product, the aim is always to find the highest-value use possible. 

“Our goal is to replace virgin raw materials with recycled ones, at scale and fast. The ash products we make are long-acting, neutralising soil improvers for farmers. With the ash treatment, a decent amount of nutrients is brought to the field, such as phosphorus, potassium and several micronutrients, replacing fossil-based ones,” says Taika Sipponen, Head of Circular Economy Solutions at Soilfood. 

Recycling nutrients reduces emissions from food production and strengthens self-sufficiency and security of supply, as nutrients already circulating in Finland are put back to use. 

Circular economy as part of Alva’s sustainability goals 

For Alva, the partnership means a higher-value use for its bottom ash, while Soilfood gains raw material for its fertiliser products. The agreement also puts the goals of Alva’s sustainability programme into practice. 

“One of the goals of our sustainability programme is to develop the circular economy, material efficiency and waste stream management. We also want to find uses for by-products where their properties are put to the best possible use. The partnership with Soilfood supports our goals,” Hakonen says. 

Photo: Alva Oy archive 

Alva is an energy and water utility owned by the City of Jyväskylä, Finland. Alva provides reliable electricity, heating and water services to approximately 150,000 customers, primarily in Central Finland, and offers services to water utilities and municipalities nationwide. Alva’s annual turnover is approximately EUR 187 million.