Aalto University researchers Anne Michud and Michael Hummel have participated in the development of Ioncell cellulose fiber, a substitute for cotton and viscose.
Chairman of the Board of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation and CEO of UPM Jussi Pesonen is excited about the increasing cooperation between Aalto University and VTT, which seeks new openings in research in bioeconomy, energy, ICT, and micro- and nanotechnology.
“Together we can map out skills needs and ensure that we have the right skills in the future,” Pesonen says.
The forest industry, Aalto University and VTT already have a long history of research collaboration, the most successful example of which is the Finnish Nanocellulose Center, established in 2008 by VTT, the Helsinki University of Technology and UPM.
"Successful joint projects tend to generate more good. New business-led consortia are emerging, to which Aalto University and VTT bring new actors from different parts of the bioeconomy value chain and even from other industries entirely, through their own networks," Pesonen says.
As cooperation between the bioeconomy cluster and research organizations deepens, the roles of different actors will also become clearer and each can focus on their own core competence.
"The university brings knowledge and expertise through basic research, VTT develops technological solutions through applied research, and companies build businesses from these basic ingredients," Pesonen describes the division of labor.
Pesonen also finds it significant that the Academy of Finland has combined the bioeconomy research environments of Aalto University and VTT, creating a national-level infrastructure.
"It creates even more attractive collaboration patterns for companies. Resources are doubled, for example in laboratory and pilot-scale development projects."
Clear division of labor
Pesonen also praises VTT's renewed division of business areas. Forest-related research is now concentrated in VTT's Natural Resources and Environmental Solutions business area.
"It will certainly facilitate the division of labor with Aalto University and reduce duplication of work. Thanks to the change, we can better develop the research environment and increase expertise in areas that are relevant to the company," Pesonen says.
Pesonen describes the research collaboration with Aalto University and VTT as a route that opens up new avenues to explore the international network of research and development activities, as VTT in particular has good experience in coordinating EU-level research projects.
"A prerequisite for the success of the biocluster is that SMEs are also created in the industry. In business development activities, some ideas lack the investment they need. That is why it is great that VTT's venture activities and Aalto University's Factory concept enable further development as part of students' entrepreneurship education."
According to Pesonen, the most interesting new growth areas in the bioeconomy cluster are biomaterials, biochemicals, packaging solutions, textile fibers, wood construction, and bioenergy, including biofuels.
More courage
"We develop business from technology, renew industry and create new business opportunities and a knowledge base to support decision-making, and act as an international intermediary for EU framework programmes and research organisations," summarizes the Director of VTT's Natural Resources and Environmental Solutions business area. Kari Larjava VTT's goals.
Bioeconomy is by far the largest research entity in this business area. Approximately 70 percent of the research focuses on the versatile utilization of raw materials obtained from forests.
"We are looking for solutions that aim to process forest reserves into the most valuable products possible," said VTT's Research Director. Johanna Buchert toteaa.
Buchert would like the forest industry to take a more active and bold approach to promoting the bioeconomy in international arenas.
"Industry should believe more in what we can achieve together on the EU horizon. The EU is increasingly industry-led, and other Nordic companies, for example, are very active in international forums. They are in visible positions and are shaping perceptions of the opportunities of the bioeconomy. Finnish companies should also appear more strongly as a single front, telling the rest of Europe what opportunities the forest-based bioeconomy brings," says Buchert.
VTT's expertise is in demand as far away as Australia and Korea.
"The bioeconomy is currently of great interest around the world, but there are skills gaps in the research and innovation field. We, on the other hand, have expertise that strengthens our competitiveness in bioprojects," Buchert reminds.
Text: Olli Manninen
Photo: Adolfo Vera
