Race For The Baltic

What Race For The Baltic does

Race For The Baltic is an independent non-profit foundation founded in 2013 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with a regional office opened in Poland in 2023. The organization's mission is to accelerate solutions that ensure a healthy Baltic Sea by 2030, with a primary quantitative target of reducing phosphorus inflow by 500 tonnes per year. It addresses eutrophication through a portfolio of projects targeting the principal nutrient leakage pathways: agricultural runoff (GYPREG gypsum soil amendment, with 229,645 hectares of suitable Swedish farmland mapped via GIS), port and dry-bulk cargo operations (Prevention Covers, Dry Bulk project, Best Practices Catalogues with 80+ practices), fertilizer production (Production project, phosphogypsum recycling), coastal restoration (BalticReed reed harvesting across approximately 200 hectares, Restoration Guöviken, Restoration Gotland), and municipal coordination (Baltic Sea City Accelerator Club, Fish project).

The organization does not develop commercial software or sell products; instead it functions as a cross-border project coordinator and implementation accelerator, funded primarily through EU Interreg programmes (Central Baltic, South Baltic, ERDF) and supported by Ålandsbanken's Baltic Sea Project (which has distributed nearly €5M in total across recipients) and government grants such as LOVA funding. Its underlying technology stack combines environmental engineering methods (modular polyethylene prevention covers, gypsum amendment protocols, reed harvesting techniques) with geospatial analysis and field-trial research conducted in partnership with universities including the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Arcada University of Applied Sciences, and the Technical University of Koszalin.

Its go-to-market is event- and partnership-driven: solutions are deployed through direct consortia with port authorities (Port of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin-Świnoujście, Elbląg, Vordingborg, Klasco in Klaipeda), municipalities (Kalmar, Karlshamn, Vaxholm), fertilizer producers (Grupa Azoty Police, Fabryka Zieleni/Fosfan), and regional governments (Ålands Landskapsregering, Östergötlands Länsstyrelse, ELSY Centre for Southwest Finland). Communication channels include the BalticReed Fair, Baltic Sea Day events (8 countries, 40 cities in 2024), conferences, webinars, publications, and a network of consortium partners.

Name

Race For The Baltic

Legal name

Race For The Baltic

Website

https://raceforthebaltic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Race For The Baltic is an independent non-profit foundation, founded in 2013 and based in Stockholm, that coordinates EU-funded cross-border projects to reduce phosphorus inflow into the Baltic Sea by 500 tonnes per year by 2030, partnering with ports, municipalities, fertilizer producers, and farmers across the Baltic Sea region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Restoration Services

NAICS

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Soil Testing, pH Adjustment & Soil Amendments (Lime/Gypsum/Organic Matter) (HSAIAGAC), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPAIAMAD)

Keywords

• Eutrophication reduction
• Nutrient pollution prevention
• Marine ecosystem restoration
• Agricultural runoff management
• Port environmental solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation/Non-profit Funding: Race For The Baltic is an independent non-profit organization. The organization operates through grants, donations, and project funding from EU programs (Interreg), governments, and private foundations. Revenue is not generated through commercial product/service sales but through securing funding for environmental restoration projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Race For The Baltic is an independent non-profit foundation that coordinates and implements cross-border environmental projects aimed at reducing phosphorus and nitrogen inflows into the Baltic Sea. Its portfolio includes farmland gypsum treatment (GYPREG), coastal reed harvesting (BalticReed), port dry-bulk pollution prevention, fertilizer industry nutrient leakage reduction (Production), and coastal bay restoration (Restoration Guöviken, Restoration Gotland). The organization partners with ports, municipalities, farmers, fertilizer producers, and research institutes, financed primarily through EU Interreg programmes, foundation grants, and donations.

Product overview

Race For The Baltic is an independent non-profit foundation operating a portfolio of environmental projects and initiatives aimed at reducing eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. The organization does not offer commercial software products; instead, its 'products' consist of environmental restoration projects (GYPREG for gypsum farmland treatment, BalticReed for coastal reed harvesting, Restoration projects for coastal bays), operational projects (Production project for fertilizer industry, Dry Bulk/Port projects for port terminals), and knowledge products (prevention covers, publications on best practices). These initiatives work together toward the shared goal of reducing phosphorus inflow by 500 tonnes per year by 2030 to restore the Baltic Sea's health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Baltic Sea Day: An annual day of celebration in honor of the Baltic Sea, launched by John Nurminen Foundation and now supported by Race For The Baltic.
• Baltic Sea City Accelerator Club

Products and services

• BalticReed An EU Interreg Central Baltic Programme-funded project (2023-2026) harvesting coastal reed to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from eutrophicated Baltic Sea coastal waters, while developing commercial value chains for reed-based products including building materials, soil amendment, animal fodder, and biogas.
• GYPREG A soil amendment project applying gypsum to farmlands to improve soil structure and reduce phosphorus runoff into the Baltic Sea, with field trials conducted across Sweden and Poland and GIS mapping of 229,645 hectares of suitable agricultural land.
• Production Project Identifies nutrient leakage points in fertilizer production and develops cooperation frameworks with large fertilizer manufacturers and port operators in the Baltic Sea region, while exploring phosphogypsum recycling as a circular economy solution for road/railway embankments, soil amendment, and rare earth element extraction.
• Dry Bulk Project Addresses nutrient leakage from dry bulk cargo handling in Baltic Sea ports, focusing on agricultural products like grains and animal feed, and develops prevention covers and best practices for cleaner port operations.
• Baltic Sea City Accelerator (BSCAC) A network and club connecting Baltic Sea municipalities (Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania) to accelerate actions for improving water quality through collaboration and cross-sector cooperation.
• Restoration Guöviken A coastal bay restoration project in Karlshamn, Blekinge, Sweden, investigating measures to improve water quality in a eutrophicated bay through stakeholder engagement, water monitoring, and digital modeling.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48 tonnes phosphorus prevented per year (2023) - 3x more than 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Fabryka Zieleni (Fosfan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Cooperation agreement signed to identify projects and activities reducing environmental impact of fertilizer production. Previous collaboration included cleaning machine and prevention cover implementation at the port.
• Grupa Azoty PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Major fertilizer production facility and port operator in Poland. Partnership focuses on cleaning sweepers, prevention covers, and new projects to reduce phosphorus emissions from phosphoric acid and fertilizer production. Fourth-largest port in Poland by cargo volume.
• John Nurminen FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Key project partner in BalticReed (EU Interreg Central Baltic Programme) and GYPREG projects. Leads reed harvesting pilots in Finland and coordinates stakeholder engagement. Project manager Sonja Jaari from the foundation leads BalticReed activities.
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research partner in GYPREG project performing GIS analysis of suitable agricultural land (229,645 hectares identified). Collaborates on field trials and gypsum treatment effectiveness research.
• RISE Research Institutes of SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in GYPREG responsible for interactive communication activities and stakeholder engagement to promote gypsum treatments. Organized first GYPREG webinar in April 2024.
• AxfoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on reed-based soil solutions roundtable at Torsåker Farm, exploring reed as sustainable alternative for soil improvement to replace peat. Includes researchers, soil companies, harvesters and entrepreneurs.
• Technical University of KoszalincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Production project cooperation on reducing phosphorus inflow into Odra River. Analyzing potential areas of phosphorus reduction and developing measures.
• Kalmar MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in parallel reed project 'Den Värdefulla Vassen' (2025-2026) harvesting 50 hectares of reed for commercial applications. Project co-financed through LOVA funding approved by County Administration Board of Kalmar.
• Port of ElblągcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in PortSHAZ project (Interreg South Baltic Programme). Pilot implementation of new prevention cover starting May 2026. Hosted Synergy Meeting with three EU-funded initiatives in March 2026.
• Port of VordingborgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned partnership agreement with PortSHAZ project in March 2026. Ambitious team joining the initiative to address dry bulk cargo handling sustainability.
• ELSY Centre for Southwest FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBalticReed project partner responsible for implementation in Finland.
• Arcada University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBalticReed project partner hosting Reed to Revenue BalticReed Fair in Helsinki (January 2026). Operates Sustainability and Tech Lab for reed research.
• Ålands LandskapsregeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBalticReed project partner from Åland region, collaborating on reed harvesting initiatives and demonstrations.
• Östergötlands LänsstyrelsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBalticReed project partner in Sweden, with water ecologist Lars Gezelius providing expertise on breeding birds and impact of reed harvesting.
• RAWScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BalticReed project harvest at Skenäs and Stegeborg. Together with Apotea, 12 hectares of coastal reed cut and removed in Östergötland.
• SkärgårdsstiftelsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on reed harvest planning in Vaxholm and Norrtälje during summer months.
• Statens FastighetsverkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in reed harvest collaboration in Swedish archipelago areas.
• Vaxholm MunicipalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on reed harvest project in Vaxholm area.
• Klasco (Klaipeda Port)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of largest terminals in Klaipeda Port, Lithuania. Meeting held to discuss dry bulk handling solutions and potential future collaboration.
• Karlshamn MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Restoration Guöviken project to improve water quality in coastal bay in Blekinge, Sweden.
• Rädda GuövikenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization partnering in Restoration Guöviken project for coastal bay restoration.
• Baltic Ports Organization (BPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual conference organizer and collaborator on port environmental initiatives. Participated in roundtable discussions on dry bulk handling best practices.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Large global conservation non-profit with marine and freshwater programs, science-based targets, and corporate partnerships — a scaled analog for RFTB's operating model.
• Wetlands International: Global non-profit focused on wetland conservation and restoration; overlaps with RFTB's coastal reed harvesting and wetland-based nutrient removal work.
• HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission): Intergovernmental body coordinating Baltic Sea protection among the nine coastal states and the EU. Race For The Baltic's work aligns with and is partly measured against HELCOM nutrient indicators.
• WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme: WWF's regional program addressing eutrophication, sustainable fisheries, and habitat protection across the Baltic; overlap with RFTB on sustainable fisheries (WWF green-listed RFTB-supported bream fishery) and nutrient reduction.

Direct peers

• John Nurminen Foundation: A Finnish foundation with the same mission of restoring the Baltic Sea through phosphorus reduction and maritime cultural heritage. Co-creates BalticReed and co-leads Baltic Sea Day with Race For The Baltic, making it the closest direct peer.
• Coalition Clean Baltic: A network of environmental NGOs around the Baltic Sea region advocating for eutrophication reduction and sustainable coastal management; shares geographic and thematic scope with RFTB.
• Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG): Finnish non-profit foundation working to save the Baltic Sea by reducing nutrient loading from agriculture and other sources. Highly comparable mission and constituency.

Others

• Ålandsbanken Baltic Sea Project: Strategic funding partner and ecosystem participant — a financial-sector initiative distributing roughly €5M to Baltic Sea preservation projects, adjacent to RFTB rather than a competitor.

Regional players

• Keep the Archipelago Tidy (Håll Sverige Rent): Swedish non-profit focused on reducing marine litter and pollution in Swedish waters; a geographic peer with overlapping marine conservation framing.

Emerging players

• Surfrider Foundation: Coastal conservation non-profit combining volunteer action, policy advocacy, and corporate partnerships; useful analogous operating model for community-driven coastal environmental work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Race For The Baltic