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Arctic nettle, from weed to money (ARKNOKK)

ARKNOKK 01

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial, low input plant used as supplementary feed, food (nutraceuticals), in pharmaceutics, cosmetics, agriculture, textile or biocomposites. Considered as a weed, it is particularly rich in N, P, calcium, iron and bioactive compounds.

Nettle has gained a lot of interest recently and its cultivation is starting industrially in other European countries. Few companies in Lapland and other parts of Finland are presently using nettle in their products but they are facing issues in raw material supply, especially when organic raw-material is needed.

The objective of ARKNOKK is to create the bases for the development of a sustainable nettle value chain in Lapland.

Nettle grows rapidly and cultivation techniques are known. Although its establishment may be challenging, a nettle field is productive for at least five years. In ARKNOKK, raw-material quality and yields will be optimized using, preferentially, organic cultivation methods. Arctic growing conditions are expected to increase the antioxidant properties of nettle as shown in other plant raw material. In addition to the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica, “isonokkonen”), we will take advantage of a northern subspecies (U. dioica ssp. sondenii, “pohjannokkonen”) which is rare, has no horns but can be cultivated as well.

Several companies interested in nettle raw material are partners of ARKNOKK. One valuable application of nettle in Lapland that will be tested in ARKNOKK is winter supplementary feeding of reindeer.

ARKNOKK will generate the prerequisites for a regular supply of raw material from clean Lapland origin or organic to companies presently using nettle. ARKNOKK will promote the development of new nettle-based products and create a network of nettle-based companies. Through the network, companies will have access to formation (ex: cultivation, harvesting techniques) and possible quality testing. It will support communication between all the actors of the value chain - from raw material suppliers to the end-product manufacturers.

ARKNOKK is a joint project between Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke) and Lapin AMK.

Project website: https://arktinennokkonen.fi/

Presentations, final report, results available at: https://blogi.eoppimispalvelut.fi/arknokk/julkaisut/