International Hackathon in Pärnu Brings New Solutions for Apple Pomace Valorization

The hackathon was organized by the Pärnu County Development Centre in collaboration with the international BioBoosters network, which unites nine bioeconomy innovation hubs from across the Baltic Sea Region.

Participating teams were: Klareva (Estonia), I.L.U.- Institute for Food and Environmental Research (Germany), Biohumus (Sweden), NPO Veggies Cultivation (Estonia), and POMA-VALOR from LUT University (Finland). Solutions were evaluated by an international expert jury, which selected Klareva as the winner. Their scientific and scalable solution uses apple pomace to grow black soldier flies, producing protein powder, oil, and fertilizer suitable for local circular feed chains. The team is ready to begin lab-scale testing in autumn 2025 and collaborates with the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The Audience Favourite, selected during the livestreamed final session, was the German team I.L.U., whose concept focuses on using apple pomace to produce fruit fillings and snacks through extrusion technology. The solution offers novel taste and texture experiences suitable for the bakery and healthy snack sectors.

“We’re very happy to have hosted an international innovation challenge dedicated to our company,” said Külli Eller, co-owner of Piesta Kuusikaru Farm. “We’re sincerely grateful to the Pärnu County Development Centre and the whole organizing team – the entire process, from preparation to the hackathon days, was professional and full of warmth and care.”

“The ideas proposed by the participating teams were exciting, and in many cases, there’s reason to believe they will be implemented. As a small producer, we are constantly seeking smart ways to valorize production residues, and this international idea exchange – combined with mentoring – opened up new perspectives,” added Eller.

Pärnu County Development Centre is a key regional partner for business development, supporting sustainable and innovative solutions through cooperation, knowledge transfer, and funding opportunities. Organizing hackathons is part of a broader strategy to strengthen local enterprises’ capacity for green transition and circular economy development.

The Piesta Hackathon was held within the framework of the international BioBoosters project, led by Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (Finland), with Pärnu County Development Centre as one of the two Estonian partners. Over the course of three years, the project has organized 18 international hackathons, four of them in Estonia.

For more information:

Svea Uusen, Project Manager, BioBoosters
svea@parnumaa.ee | 📞 +372 505 1797
Pärnu County Development Centre & Innovation Hub

Külli Eller, Co-owner, Piesta Kuusikaru Farm
info@kuusikaru.eu | 📞 +372 501 6611

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