Tiina Benskyn His interest in the growth company operating in Kokkola was sparked more broadly through the chemical industry, in which he also has experience at the federal level.
"I have sat on the board of the Finnish Chemical Industry Association and seen how badly Finland needs the chemical industry, exports and new technologies. I thought about the story of Innomost and the current ownership base, as Metsä Spring, an innovation company of Metsä Group, is also involved. I thought that I could do my part to move Finland forward here. Sustainability and green issues are also of interest to me personally, and the company represents exactly that. So I decided to jump in."
Birch bark processor
Innomost, which employs ten people, processes birch bark, a by-product of the forest industry, into bioactive ingredients – the goal is to replace fossil-based and environmentally harmful raw materials with renewable alternatives. By utilizing the by-product as a raw material, the company also contributes to increasing the processing rate of the forest industry.
Betulin, suberin and bark powder processed by Innomost are already used in cosmetics, plastic-replacement coatings and adhesives, among other things. A possible new application could be found in flame retardants.
Company founder and former CEO Sami Selkälä currently serves as CTO of Innomost.
“Innomost started in cosmetics in 2016 with Sami’s ideas and know-how. Natural, plastic-free and scientifically proven effective cosmetics have significant market potential worldwide. However, there are now other application areas for bioactive raw materials. A growth company must constantly consider areas to focus on. We are able to change direction quickly if necessary. We are small and agile.”
The company has two patents for the production process and one for the coating side.
“We have been developing our production process for a couple of years. The current production of our pilot plant is a maximum of 10 tons per year. That is enough for testing our products with our customers at the moment.”
The current production volume requires approximately one million kilograms of birch bark, which comes to us as a side stream from the forest industry.
The next phase is a demo factory, which would be in about three years.
“Then we are already talking about an annual production of 300 tons. That is enough to operate in the global market.”
“At work”
Working life in a growth company is very different from that in a large company.
"This is also a position for me to seek new competence. Every day is a new opportunity. In a small company, you also get to do a lot of operational things that you don't do at the management level of large companies. HR matters are now my responsibility, and salaries are paid into the accounts at my fingertips."
Bensky does not criticize or belittle the work culture of large companies, as he knows them well. However, working in a large company is very different from working in a small company.
“Our operations are very straightforward. Everyone does a variety of things and all the time is spent on the right things.”
Tips for students
• Forests are Finland's gold. Renewable raw materials and new products offer interesting perspectives for tomorrow.
• The bioeconomy offers interesting job and career opportunities, from engineers to chemists, business scientists and even packaging designers.
Tiina Bensky
2004 Graduation from Helsinki School of Economics
2004 Berner's first permanent job at Clarins cosmetics
2006 For L'Oréal in consumer brand marketing, up to Marketing Director
2016 Lumene as Marketing Operations Director to relaunch the Lumene brand. Later, Head of the Finnish profit unit.
2024 For the role of CEO at Innomost
2028 - 2030 Innomost: planned opening of the first commercial demo factory
