Current news
Researcher of the month is Jenni Sievänen
Jenni Sievänen
Jenni Sievänen is currently working at Mika Vähä-Nissi's Biomaterial application team at VTT. She is a researcher in re-engineering paper (REP) project, which belongs to the research program EffTech (Intelligent, resource efficient production technologies) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 2009, Jenni graduated from Helsinki University of Technology. Her main subject was Forest products chemistry. Now, she is researcher at VTT.
Re-engineering paper project focus is on development of new resource efficient nano material based paper production technologies. Renewal of the papermaking paradigm involves many elements starting from evolved raw material base, mapping the novel structure space through realistic modeling and simulation of nanoscale elements and designing the correspondent novel unit operations and processes.
The goal of Jenni’s research is to develop new products with better quality and production technologies. Currently research is focused on barrier films based on nanocellulose and high filler containing structures to for printed electronics applications. The idea is to replace the use of synthetic materials in these applications. In addition the improvement of paper and board making and sustainability are the key drivers of this research.
The best thing in working with other research partners is the ability to get excellent and wider research insight into her research work. The benefits for Jenni to work in this kind of EffTech program is networking and co-operation between research partners.
When not working, Jenni spends time, for example, cycling, photographing and reading books.
Researcher of the month is Riku Talja
Riku Talja
Riku Talja is currently working at Tiina Liitiäs's Polymer and Chemical Products team at VTT. He is a researcher in the cellulose and hemicellulose themes, which belongs to the research program FuBio (Future Biorefinery) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 2000, Riku graduated from University of Helsinki. His main subject was polymer chemistry. At 2007 he completed his Doctoral Thesis. In his dissertation, Riku studied biomaterial coatings. Now, he is post doc researcher at VTT.
Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project focuses on finding biologically active natural compounds and development of applications for the use of the compounds. The goal of Riku’s research is to develop barrier coating from wood components. Currently almost all barrier coatings in packaging are made of synthetic materials. The idea is replace the use of synthetic material as barrier coating and use wood components instead. Wood is renewable raw material compared to synthetic material like plastic.
Riku concentrates on developing ways to use to cellulose, hemicelluloses and their derivatives as barrier coating. The idea of barrier coating is to protect the packed product, e.g., from water vapor and oxygen. Barrier coating enhances the product shelf-life. Barrier coating has membranous structure which means ideally nothing comes in or goes out from the package. There has been research in this area for years but not yet any breakthroughs. The best thing in working with industry is the ability to get excellent industry insight into his research work. The benefits for Riku to work in this kind of FuBio program is networking and co-operation. There are also a lot of possibilities to benefit other FuBio program's research.
When not working, Riku spends time, for example, travelling, photographing and playing volleyball.
Researcher of the month is Sari Yli-Kauhaluoma
Sari Yli-Kauhaluoma
Sari Yli-Kauhaluoma is currently working at Mika Pantzar's research group (Paper in practice) at the Helsinki School of Economics. She is a researcher in the RAMI project, which belongs to the research program FoCus (Customer solutions for the future) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 1992, Sari graduated from Turku School of Economics. Her main subject was Management and Organization studies. In 2008, she completed her Doctoral Thesis in the Helsinki School of Economics. In her dissertation, Sari studied the commercialization process of an innovative chemical fibre catalyst.
‘Paper in practice’ project focuses on finding out how paper is used at work in offices. The goal of Sari’s research is to study how paper that is used at work in offices can either help or hinder people to do their job. The aim is to get better understanding about material usage in offices. This is a new type of approach to study paper in practice. The project describes and analyzes the ordinary work practices in offices and administrative settings and in what ways people in these contexts use paper in their daily-based work tasks. Currently the trend is toward a paperless office. But, can there be paperless offices? Paper is often related with strong positive or negative feelings. Some papers are not only useful, but wonderful, and other papers can remind people of things that need to be done in near future.
Sari applies qualitative research methods in this study. The research material consists of interviews, photos and observations. Sari analyzes how paper is related, for example, to thinking, work organization, instructions and filing systems. The idea is that paper has many functions at office work which gives a lot of opportunities to paper products. The best thing in working with the forest industry is the ability to get excellent industry insight into her research work. The benefits for Sari to work in this kind of RAMI project is co-operation and interaction with the industry experts.
When not working, Sari spends time with her family, for example, doing a lot of different things with paper like drawing and painting.
Researcher of the month is Pauliina Pitkänen
Pauliina Pitkänen
Pauliina Pitkänen is currently working at Industrial Synthesis team at VTT as a researcher and works also as a project manager in several projects. She is a researcher in the Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project, which belongs to the research program FuBio (Future Biorefinery) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 2006, Pauliina graduated from University of Helsinki. Her Master's thesis considers upgrading of suberin acids of birch bark and the work led to a patent application.
Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project focuses on finding biologically active natural compounds and development of applications for the use of the compounds. The goal of Pauliina’s research is to develop new type of polymers in which fossil oil based products are replaced with bio based and bio degradation products. The new polymers also have to be competitive (quality, property, price) with current industrial products.
The current research focuses on industrial shunt-wounds e.g. tall oil fatty acids and tall oil rosin which increases the product’s friendliness to the environment. Tall oil is by-product of Kraft process in wood pulp manufacture and it is already used to various applications. The results from this research can be used in e.g. packaging applications to protect goods from water, oxygen or other harmful effects.
The best thing in her work is the close connection between chemistry, material sciences and product development. The benefits for Pauliina to work in this kind of large project FuBio is co-operation and interaction between research partners.
When not working, Pauliina spends time in renovating her house and participating dance courses.
Researcher of the month is Jorma Vahala
Jorma Vahala
Jorma Vahala is currently working at Jaakko Kangasjärvi's research group (Plant Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences) at the University of Helsinki. He is a researcher in the Functional Genomics of Wood Formation II project, which belongs to the research program EffTech (Intelligent, resource-efficient production technologies) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 1995, Jorma graduated from University of Helsinki. His main subject was forest pathology. In 2003, Jorma defended his doctoral thesis, which belongs to the field of plant molecular biology and forest pathology. Now, he is a post doc researcher at the University of Helsinki, and has a close collaboration with prof. Björn Sundberg’s research group at the Umeå Plant Science Centre.
Functional Genomics of Wood Formation II project focuses on to uncover key genetic factors responsible for wood development in forest trees with the aim to use them to modify wood quality in forest tree breeding. The goal of Jorma’s research is to determine the significance of plant hormone ethylene as a mediator of wood development. Currently the possibilities of ethylene are not used at all to improve the final product. This research focuses on poplar, since the genome of black cottonwood is sequenced. This provides an access to study any genes of choice. There are approximately 45 000 different genes in black cottonwood that are almost identical in the whole poplar genus. After a tedious screen to narrow down the candidate genes, this research is focused on 20 different genes that contribute to ethylene-dependent wood formation. The idea is to overexpress these genes to modify wood properties. Jorma concentrates on developing ways to find out which genes are the most important, and the gained knowledge can be also adapted as a generic tool to other plant species of interest.
The best thing in working with other research partners is the ability to get excellent and wider research insight into his research work. The benefits for Jorma to work in this kind of large project EffTech is co-operation and interaction.
When not working, Jorma spends time, for example, playing guitar and fishing.
More risks should be taken with public research funding
Funding provided by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Tekes should be used to experiment more daringly, says Research Director Lars Gädda.
What does the magazine of the future look like?
Group of young international students from Aalto University has started Product Development Project within the Aalto Design Factory PDP (Product Development Project) course.
The (Making Sense of the future) Sense PDP project aims to discover what the future will hold for magazines. The objective of this project is to identify and demonstrate with concrete and practical demonstrators new solutions for the high quality printed content, and to increase its interaction with other media in an innovative way.
This PDP team is really international and their work has started very well and the first demo waspresented at a workshop in October. The key persons in our PDP project are Kim Se Young / Taik Project Manager and Jitan V Patel / Hanken Vice Manager. Read more about the project Sensemag
They have chosen 3 fictional persons as their target group:
- Neha (Indian, 25 years old, Female, Student /Marketing)
- Mikko (Finnish, 36 years old, Male, Married man, 2 Kids)
- Sun-mi (Korean, 13 years old, Female, Middle school student)
Read more about how these persons will use magazine in future. Results of their study are available next spring (April 2010). This is a preliminary study for the research project Future Magazines, which is planned to start next year.
Please contact Hannu Linna (hannu.linna@vtt.fi) or Lars Gädda (lars.gadda@forestcluster.fi) for further information.
New extraction reactor in operation at Metla
The first strategic investment done within the FuBio research program, the purchase of a unique pressurized hot water extraction reactor, has now been installed and taken into use at the Metla facilities in Vantaa. The new reactor enables scaling-up a promising novel extraction technology developed by the FuBio partners. The reactor is of a plug-flow type and it can be operated at temperatures up to about 200 degrees Celsius.
RAMI seminar (6th of November) surpassed expectations
There were more than 90 participants at RAMI Seminar which was held 6th of November at Hanasaari, Espoo. The purpose of the RAMI seminar was to share results so far.
There were several research team presentatitons, with topics such as:
- Capabilities
- Value networks
- Customer processes
- Paper in practice
- Media Practices
- BOP Practices
- Accelerated commercialization
One main goal has been to increase and deepen the cooperation between industry and research. The majority of the participants were from industry which guaranteed an interactive poster session.
Following poster was awarded at RAMI Seminar:
- BOP Practices, Minna Halme's team, HSE
Have you forgotten your Wiki password?
New temporary password is available from the the Login screen (E-mail password):
Please fill in the field Username with your user name (for example Teijo Tutkija) and please leave password field empty. Then please press E-mail password button.Temporary password will be delivered into your e-mail.
EffTech seminar (6th of October) surpassed expectations
There were more than 140 participants at EffTech Seminar which was held 6th of October at Dipoli Congress Centre, Espoo. The purpose of the EffTech seminar was to share results so far.
There were three parallel sessions, with topics such as:
WP1
- Less is more
- New value chains
- Functional genomics of wood formation
WP2
- Measurements
- Modeling of processes
- Design of processes and production systems
WP3
- Future processes
- Nanocellulose: Leading way to a sustainable renewal
- Towards virtual product development
One main goal has been to increase and deepen the cooperation between industry and research. Both industry representatives and researchers are equally responsible for achieving this goal. In order to stress the important role of the industry in building up new cooperation models, the following industry representatives were awarded for their excellent work and positive attitude:
- Kari Kovasin / Metsä-Botnia
- Erkki Räsänen / Kemira
- Markku Mäntylä / Metso
Following poster were awarded at EffTech Seminar:
- Towards exploitation of the quantitative variation in heartwood extractives, Jouni Partanen, Anni Harju, Martti Venäläinen and Katri Kärkkäinen, Metla
- Ideas for VIP-simulation model utilization, Ville Tarvo (TKK), Susanna Kuitunen (TKK), Tuula Lehtimaa (TKK), Ville Alopaeus (TKK), Tapani Vuorinen (TKK)
- Fibre Based Lightweight Materials, Visa Koskiahde (Fibertus Oy), Vesa Rommi (Ekolite Oy), Mikko Kaira (Fibertus Oy) and Kai Salo (Ekolite Oy)
Also EffTech Program Manager Pauliina Tukiainen was awarded for her excellent work.
Researcher of the month is Pirita Uschanov
Pirita Uschanov
Pirita Uschanov is currently working at Sirkka Liisa Maunu's research group (Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry) at the University of Helsinki. She is a researcher in the Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project, which belongs to the research program FuBio (Future Biorefinery) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 2005, Pirita graduated from University of Helsinki. Her main subject was polymer chemistry. Before that, in 2001, she graduated from Tampere University of Technology having Materials Science as main subject. Now, she is a PhD student at the University of Helsinki.
Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project focuses on finding biologically active natural compounds and development of applications for the use of the compounds. The goal of Pirita’s research is to find new materials which consist of tall oil and polymers. Currently tall oil is by-product of Kraft process in wood pulp manufacture and is cheap and available in large amounts, but could be utilized even more in different applications.
Extractives, such as tall oil fatty acids and tall oil rosin, are possible to receive from the pinewood. Pirita concentrates on developing new polymers which are chemically modified with tall oil fatty acids or tall oil rosin. The idea is that tall oil is environmentally benign, cheap and water resistant which gives a lot of opportunities to final product and makes it able to compete with traditional petrochemical based products. The developed novel materials may be used in paper and paperboard coatings, for example to improve the wet strength of board, and in adhesives.
The best thing in working with industry is the ability to get excellent industry insight into her research work. The benefits for Pirita to work in this kind of large project FuBio is co-operation and interaction.
When not working, Pirita spends time, for example, horseback riding and cycling.
New FiDiPro professor
New FiDiPro professor is Thomas Heinze. He is working at Laboratory of Fibre and Cellulose Technology of Åbo Akademi University. His project is related to co-operate with FuBio program.
Prof. Thomas Heinze is a very well-known authority in the field of polysaccharide research, and the head of a Center of Excellence (CoE) in Germany. He has published more than 240 scientific papers, 16 patents, edited and authored several books in the field of polysaccharides. He has supervised 24 diploma and PhD theses since 2003 and is responsible for teaching several graduate and undergraduate courses. He has also been active in organizing national and international symposia in Germany, Brazil, Sweden and USA. Prof. Heinze is internationally acknowledged as one of the best European scientists in functionalisation and creation of nanostructured materials based on polysaccharides.
A large interest for the EffTech idea call
The call for new research ideas for the “Intelligent and Resource-Efficient Production Technologies” (EffTech) -programme is now closed. We thank all of you for the interest in the call and for the submission of a large variety of new ideas. We received all together 40 proposals. The proposals are currently under evaluation by the EffTech-programme management group. As soon as the evaluation is finished all proposers will get information about the results and further actions.
Researcher of the month is Eveliina Hiltunen
Eveliina Hiltunen
Eveliina Hiltunen is currently working at Riitta Julkunen-Tiitto's research group (Natural Product Research Laboratories, Faculty of Biosciences) at the University of Joensuu. She is a researcher in the Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project, which belongs to the research program FuBio (Future Biorefinery) of the Forestcluster Ltd. In 2006, Eveliina defended her doctoral thesis, which belongs to the field of Materials Chemistry and concerns the phenolic extractives and discolouration of sawn birch wood. Eveliina carried out the studies for her doctorate at the Department of Chemistry, University of Joensuu.
Biochemicals for protection of goods and health project focuses on finding biologically active natural compounds and development of applications for the use of the compounds in, for example, protection of technical products. The goal of Eveliina’s research is to find environmentally friendly solutions for the protection of sawn wood from decay. The currently used wood preservatives have undesirable features, such as leaching, degradation, harmful effects on environment or high cost.
Extractives are natural solutions for the protection of sawn wood, because they are known to protect the resistant heartwood of certain wood species from decay. Extractives, such as tannins, are possible to receive from the logging waste of Finnish trees. Eveliina concentrates on developing a nanotechnology-based method for attaching the active compounds on the wood surface. The idea is that the active compounds are protected from leaching and degradation by the nanomatrix and released slowly. The best thing in working with other research groups is excellent co-operation and change of opinions. The benefits for Eveliina to work in this kind of large project FuBio is financing and networking. When not working, Eveliina spends time, for example, kayaking in Finland and abroad.
Researcher of the month is Susanna Kuitunen
Susanna Kuitunen
Susanna Kuitunen is currently working at Ville Alopaeus's research group (Chemical Engineering) at TKK. She is a researcher in Virtual Pulp Bleaching (VIP) project, which belongs to the research program EffTech (Intelligent, resource efficient production technologies) of the Forestcluster Ltd. Susanna graduated from TKK in 2001. Before joining TKK, Susanna worked at Neste Jacobs. In 2003 Susanna started to work at TKK in ABLE (Advanced Bleaching Plant) project. The aim of ABLE was to gather assessed fundamental theoretical knowledge on bleaching chemistry and to develop computer models based on that knowledge. VIP project is a follow-up project of ABLE project.
Virtual pulp bleaching project focuses on development of brightness and oxygen&peroxide chemistry models using the same fundamental modeling principles as in ABLE project. Those principles are: detailed description of the relevant chemical reactions and their kinetics, chemical equilibriums, chemical structure of the wood cell wall and mass and heat transfer. These phenomenon models are utilized in describing the performance of bleach plant unit operations (e.g. mixing, washing and retention tower). The goal is to accomplish a virtual pulp bleaching plant that is a simulation tool for piloting of different options of sequences and process conditions in pulp bleaching. Chemical engineering research group is responsible for programming the simulation tool and development of unit operation, mass transfer and thermodynamic models. She has herself programmed thermodynamic and unit operation models and also chemical reactions concerning oxygen and peroxide. Developed models are verified by using data from experiments conducted at VTT and KCL,as well as results published in the literature and analyzes done from mill samples. The benefit from modeling is that the amount of expensive laboratory testing may be reduced, when the simulation model is utilized for guiding the experiments. The biggest challenge today is detailed characterization of lignin chromophores and their formation and destruction. The final goal in the model utilization is the optimization of industrial processes through simulation. This is the first time that this kind of molecular level process simulation tool of pulp bleaching has been constructed. The best thing as working with other research groups is excellent co-operation and change of opinions. The benefits for Susanna to work in this kind of large project EffTech is financing and networking. She finds Wiki as an excellent tool for project co-ordination.
When not working, Susanna spends time with her family. She likes to go to jogging and play golf during summer time and cross-country skiing in winter time.
New dead-line for submitting New Research Ideas for EffTech Research Programme
Forestcluster Ltd has decided to extend the period of submitting new research ideas for the EffTech Research Programme until September 4, 2009.
Please use the link below to submit your idea
For details, please see EffTech main page
EffTech Highlights 1.1.-31.5.2009
- Several presentations (Hellen, Linnala, Puisto) from EffTech programme results at Papermaking Research Symposium 2009, 1-4.6.2009, Kuopio
- Several scientific publications in Genomics of wood formation project, (publications)
- Two resource-efficient production technologies based on nano fibrillar cellulose (NFC) have been identified. Both of the potential technologies could lead to radical reduction in energy and water consumption in papermaking and enable manufacturing of new NFC-based products.
- The New process design methodology to reduce capital employed and to improve flexibility project results from operations optimization can be readily used also at present production systems. One such consortia project has already been launched
- Drainage and web formation (SUORA) research environment has been actively utilized in several company projects. A large consortium project SUORA-KH and co-operation between SME’s within the TESTAA project can be mentioned as good examples. The start-up of the new SUORA environment is scheduled to take place in January 2010
Forestcluster Ltd launched a new research programme
Customer solutions for the future take the forest-based industry towards new growth
Forestcluster Ltd launched a new project focus on demand and user-driven innovation which identify new growth opportunities for the forest cluster outside the current core business.
Forestcluster Ltd's project called "Radical market innovations" is first part of the more extensive Forestcluster program Forward customer solutions.
Agreement between VTT and KCL was signed 1 June 2009
Contract of sale of research and laboratory services between VTT and KCL was signed today on 1 June 2009. Integration of KCL's operations to VTT creates a strong and networked innovation hub for the new forest industry.
More news
See FuBio presentations from Kemian päivät:
- Future Biorefinery (FuBio) Research Program
- Fractionation technologies
- New products from cellulose
- New hemicellulose based polymers
- Theme 5 Biochemicals for protection of goods and health
Kestäviä tuotteita voidaan valmistaa tulevaisuudessa bio- ja materiaalitekniikan avulla lähes päästöttömästi
Puu- ja muiden kuitupohjaisten tuotteiden merkitys kasvaa kaiken aikaa, sillä niiden valmistus on vähäpäästöistä ja luonnonvaroja niukasti kuluttavaa. VTT:n keskeisin tutkimuskohde on tällä hetkellä metsäteollisuuden sivuvirrat ja niiden hyödyntäminen biomateriaalien valmistuksessa. Sivuvirtojen hyödyntämisestä odotetaan syntyvän uutta liiketoimintaa ja kannattavuutta metsäteollisuudelle. VTT:n arvion mukaan kymmenen vuoden kuluttua markkinoille on tulossa tuotteita, joiden valmistuksessa hiili- ja vesijalanjälki on minimoitu. Ensimmäisenä markkinoille tulevat biomateriaaleista valmistetut pakkaukset.
VTT etsii uutta ja kannattavaa teollista käyttöä biomassalle (in Finnish)
FuBio article in Meddelanden från Åbo Akademi : Mycket mera värde ur skogen
"Mycket mera värde ur skogen" (in Swedish) article in Meddelanden från Åbo Akademi.
QVision article in Univers magazine : Väritutkimusta metsäklusterille
"Väritutkimusta metsäklusterille" (in Finnish) article in Univers magazine. Please find the article from page 8 in the magazine.
Researcher of the month is Antti Puisto
Antti Puisto
Antti Puisto is currently working at Mikko Alava's research group Complex Systems and Materials at TKK as a post doctoral fellow. He is the responsible researcher in the re-engineering paper (REP) project at TKK. The REP project belongs to the research program EffTech (Intelligent, resource efficient production technologies) of Forestcluster Ltd. Before joining TKK, Antti studied electrical engineering at Lappeenranta University of Technology. During spring 2008 he completed his Doctoral Thesis on the oxidation of metal surfaces, particularly copper, applying first principles methods to identify new means to control oxidation efficiency. The aim was to develop improved catalysts and corrosion-proof materials.
The Re-engineering paper project focuses on development of new resource efficient nano- material based paper making technologies. Renewal of the papermaking paradigm involves many elements starting from evolved raw material base, mapping the novel structure space through realistic modeling and simulation of nanoscale elements and designing the correspondent novel unit operations and processes. TKKs' part of the REP project is to model the aggregation of filler (calcium carbonate) and nano fibre cellulose in water suspensions. This is accomplished by describing the aggregate size distribution with the framework of population balance equations. Antti is implementing the model in a computer program using C++ programming language. The developed model is verified making corresponding experiments and simulations for representative model systems. The best thing in his work is the variety of methods that are applied in the present approach. Close co-operation between research groups providing experimental data for model verification and other groups developing virtual product models brings many new points of view to the research. The nicest thing as working with other research groups is the good co-operation and change of opinions. The benefit for Antti to work in this kind of large project, such as EffTech, is the financing and social networking.
When not working, Antti spends time with his family. When he has extra time he likes to go to the gym.
The latest issue of FTP-Update
The bimonthly electronic newsletter of the Forest-Based Sector Technology Platform
Which is the most viewed program in Wiki?'
The correct answer is EffTech program with 11,300 views. FuBio program has 7,000 views which is excellent result for 1 1/2 month old program.
Please find some statistics (14th of April 2009):
2,370 total pages in the database
1,281 files have been uploaded
448,162 page views
14,061 page edits
757 registered users
First FuBio seminar (2nd of April) surpassed expectations
There was 130 participants at FuBio Seminar which was held 2nd of April at VTT, Helsinki. The purpose of this seminar was to gather together all the members of the program.
17 companies and 12 universities and research institutes are in involved in this program. Good co-operation and networking are critical success factors to this program.
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Hybrid book will be introduced YLE Radio Finnish Forest Radio 16th March 7.00 pm
Please note that the broadcast is also available at areena.yle.fi
Forestcluster Ltd. launches a new research programme - Future biorefineries will take the forest-based industry into a new era
Future Biorefinery, a research programme by Forestcluster Ltd., will create a new national competence platform in processing of wood biomass and thus, stimulate the transformation of the forest cluster.
Future Biorefinery (FuBio) press release
New project has started as part of the EffTech program
A new project, called Qvision has started within the Intelligent and Resource Efficient Production technologies (EffTech) programme. The project focuses on using imaging techniques for quality measurements in pulping and papermaking.
The unique project consortium is collecting almost all the groups in this field in Finland.
Participating research groups are:
–Lappeenranta University of Technology, machine vision
–University of Joensuu, spectoroscopy
–University of Jyväskylä, paper physics
–University of Jyväskylä, data and image analysis
–Lappeenranta University of Technology, fiber technology
–University of Oulu, measurement technology (Kajaani)
–University of Oulu, optoelectronics
–University of Oulu, control technology
–Tampere University of Technology, inversion methods in mathematics
–Tampere University of Technology, measurement information technology
The Qvision project is one part of the Workpackage Modelling and measurements.
Please read more about WP2 Modelling and measurements
For further information please contact Heikki Kälviäinen.
New features for Open Research Portal and Internal Project Portal structures (3rd of February)
New features has been added to the Open Research Portal and the Internal Project Portal based on customer feedback.
New Open Research Portal features are:
- Open discussion forum = open for everybody; log in needed for comments
- Blogs = open for everybody; log in needed for comments
The Open discussion forum is a place for general discussion.
New Internal Project Portal features are:
- Project discussion forum = open for project members; log in needed
- Calendar = open for project participants; log in needed
Project discussion forum is a place for project specific discussion. The Calendar is a place where you can see all Forestcluster Ltd’s project and other meetings.
EffTech programme's highlights
EffTech programme (1.6.2008-31.12.2008)
- Already a lot of results from Functional Genomics of Wood Formation,VIP, Short pulping, POJo and Re-engineering paper projects
- TuPaKat project has produced 19 project proposals
- Re-engineering paper - renewal from material perspective publication at KCL link 2/08
- The building of SUORA infrastructure has started, a big consortium project involved in SUORA
- Active usage of Wiki research portal
- First Internal EffTech seminar was held 18th of December 2008, Marina Congress Center
First EffTech Internal seminar (18th of December) surpassed expectations
There was more than 100 participants at EffTech Internal Seminar which was held 18th of December at Marina Congress Center, Helsinki.
Following Project Managers were awarded concerning excellent Wiki usage:
- Risto Ritala / Process design methodology optimizing capital employed and flexibility
- Juha Lipponen / Future paper and board making technologies
- Erkki Hellen / Re-engineering paper
MASI Modeling and simulation Seminar 4th of December 2008
Tekes launched a Finnish national programme on modelling and simulation (MASI) in January 2005. The duration of the programme will be five years (2005-2009).
The aim of the MASI programme is to develop modelling and simulation knowledge and methods, enhance their utilization in Finnish industry and service sector, and thus create a competitive edge for the Finnish companies on the global markets. Furthermore, the programme is expected to catalyze new businesses based on modelling and simulation.
Please see EffTech presentation in MASI Seminar.
Re-engineering Paper - renewal from material perspective
Nanomaterials will change the world and affect papermaking too. In the future, papermaking processes will be radically different and the fiber-based products will
have properties of which no one could have thought. The re-engineering paper (REP) project takes up the challenge to seek new, resource-effificient, nanomaterial based paper production technologies.
Please read more about this issue from KCL Link 2/08 (pages 12-15).
Which is the most viewed project page in Wiki?
The correct answer is project POJo with 1,346 views.
Please find some statistics (16th of December 2008):
- 1,718 total pages in the database
- 837 files have been uploaded
- 345,234 page views
- 11,085 page edits
- 560 registered users
Projects:
• Process design methodology optimizing capital employed and flexibility (1,346 views)
• Future paper and board making technologies (1,215 views)
• Re-engineering paper (640 views)
New Wiki Research Portal structure (24th of November)
The structure of new Wiki has been developed based on customer feedback.
New Wiki structure is divided into 2 parts:
- Open Research Portal = open for everybody; no need for password
- Internal Project Portal= open for project participants; password needed
Open Research Portal is place for common material concerning research programmes.
Internal Project Portal is place for all the material concernig different projects of Forestcluster Ltd. In Internal Project Portal all the information is password protected.
VTT's paper making research environment improves companies fast and cost efficient product development (18th of November 2008)
Please read more about this issue in Finnish:
Suomalaisen metsäteollisuuden kilpailukyky on erityisesti nyt suurten haasteiden edessä. Yhteistyötä ja tutkimusvalmiuksia kehittämällä haetaan lisätehokkuutta myös toimialan tutkimus- ja kehitystyöhön. VTT laajentaa Metsäklusteri Oy:n, Tekesin ja alan yritysten rahoituksella Jyväskylässä olevaa paperinvalmistuksen tutkimusympäristöään vastaamaan suomalaisen metsäklusterin nykyisiä kehitystarpeita. UPM, Metso Paper, Metso Automation, Kemira ja Tamfelt kehittävät yhdessä VTT:n kanssa osaamista ja tutkimusvalmiuksia, joiden avulla löydetään aiempaa nopeammin ja tehokkaammin uusia ratkaisuja paperinvalmistusprosessiin.
Puun saatavuus, sekä raaka-ainekustannusten ja energian hinnan merkittävä kasvu vaikuttavat suoraan metsäteollisuuden liiketoiminnan kannattavuuteen. Hintakilpailu on kiristynyt ja samanaikaisesti, teknologian kehityksen myötä, ovat tekniset ratkaisut yhä haastavampia ja tuotteiden elinkaaret lyhyempiä. Näihin haasteisiin vastaaminen vaatii yhä nopeampaa ja tehokkaampaa tuotekehitystyötä, syvempää osaamista ja tiiviimpää yhteistyötä paperinvalmistajilta sekä laite-, raaka-aine- ja kudostoimittajilta.
VTT:n tiloihin Jyväskylään laajennettavan paperinvalmistuksen tutkimusympäristössä yritykset voivat nopeuttaa ja tehostaa tuotekehitystään ja uusien ideoiden toteutusta teollisiksi ratkaisuiksi. Tutkimusympäristössä tehtävä tutkimus mahdollistaa yritysten laaja-alaisen osaamisen ja uusien verkostojen kehittymisen, joiden myötä voi syntyä innovaatioita ja uusia tuotteita. Tutkimusympäristön laajennus otetaan käyttöön tammikuussa 2010. Tutkimusympäristö on maassamme ainutlaatuinen.
Painopapereiden tutkimus alkaa rainanmuodostuksesta ja jatkuu konelinjan yksikköoperaatioiden kautta paperin analysointiin. Rainanmuodostuksen perustutkimuksessa yleisesti käytössä olevien laboratoriokoelaitteistojen antama tieto ei kuitenkaan ole riittävää kuvaamaan todellisia prosessiolosuhteita. VTT:n paperinvalmistuksen tutkimusympäristön laajennus täydentää laboratoriolaitteiden ja pilot-mittakaavan väliin jäävän aukon. Olemassa olevan formerin yhteyteen rakennetaan erilaisiin tutkimustarpeisiin muunneltava puristinosa ja näytteenottolaitteisto jatkuvalle rainalle. Näillä luodaan valmiudet paperin rakenteen muodostumisen tutkimukselle lyhyen kierron virtausilmiöistä aina paperiominaisuuksiin saakka.
Mediatilaisuuden 18.11.2008 esitys teknologiapäällikkö Janne Poranen
Mediamateriaalia: paperinvalmistuksen tutkimusympäristö (SUORA)
New Editor for Wiki pages (17th of November 2008)
New Editor for Wiki has been developed based on customer feedback. New Editor has been created to support the usage of Wiki. Users do not have to learn “Wiki language” to use Wiki successfully.
Please find enclosed the instruction for new Editor: http://www.forestclusterportal.fi/index.php/Editor_Help
The new Editor will be automatically at your disposal 18th of November, so you do not have to do anything to get new Editor into your computer.
If you have any questions concerning new Editor please do not hesitate to contact Outi Lemettinen, e-mail: outi.lemettinen@forestcluster.fi
Forest Tech Europe 2008 - High-level conference brought together leaders of forest industry to discuss revitalizing the industry (14th of November 2008)
Forest sector company CEO’s and CTO’s gathered in Helsinki November 5th-6th to discuss the structural challenges of the industry and promising future technologies that could help in revitalization and shaping of the industry. The conference, arranged by Spinverse, an emerging technology commercialization company, covered a range of topics, including R&D’s role in a renewal process, power of innovations, international cooperation and sustainable development through technologies. New developments & cutting edge technologies were covered from the areas of materials, chemicals, energy & bio-refining and nanotechnology.
The opening session on Nov 5th ended with a fascinating panel discussion of forest sector company CEO’s and industry analyst discussing the renewal, from industry challenges to financial aspects.
The conference was supported by UPM, Metso Corporation, Kemira, KCL and Forestcluster Ltd. “We wish to continue our efforts for fruitful cooperation between forest industry corporations, research institutions as well as public funding agencies, that are beneficial for the whole forest cluster”, says Christine Hagström-Näsi, Managing Director of Forestcluster Ltd.
Among the contributors at the conference were high-profile speakers such as Jorma Eloranta, CEO of Metso Corporation, Pauli Hänninen, Executive Vice President, UPM, Harri Kerminen, CEO of Kemira, Kaarlo Niskanen, CEO, KCL, G. Ronald Brown, Executive Director, Agenda 2020, Geert Dancet, Executive Director, European Chemicals Agency, Anne Brunila, President Finnish Forest Industries Federation, Joseph Cleary, Center Director, US Department of Energy, Peter Axegård, Research Director, STFI-Packforsk, Sweden and the author of “Smart Big Moves”, Professor Paul Strebel from IMD Switzerland.
“We are pleased to have created an open environment for sharing ideas and proud to see here vast amount of industry leaders from corporations, research centers and governments who are all committed to the common goal of revitalizing the industry” says Maria Sipilä, Senior Consultant of Spinverse – a Finland based company focused on emerging technology commercialization and the lead organizer of the conference.
For more information on partners and Forest Tech Europe 2008, visit Forest-tech
See Lars Gädda's and Kaarlo Niskanen's interview from MTV3 morning tv (31th of October 2008)
The future forest industry is e-paper and biofuels. See the interview from MTV3 Huomenta Suomi broadcast
EffTech programmes' consortium projects
The board has accepted 3 consortium projects. The value of these consortium projects is 8 M€. Read more Industrial consortium projects
New FiDiPro professors for Biorefinery and Wood product
Prof. William James Frederick, Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States FiDiPro project: "Novel Processes in Pulp Mill - Biorefineries" The FiDiPro project deals with future pulp mills, producing value added novel products besides the pulp, i.e. forest biorefineries. Biorefinery concepts need significant research and development effort before being in the state of commercialization. In addition, new ideas for by-products from pulp mill streams arise regularly. This project focuses on deeper understanding of a number of potential processes in future pulp mill - biorefineries. It paves the way for the development of full scale biorefinery concepts. Processes being studied include liquefaction of biomasses by hydrothermolysis and other pyrolysis methods, novel utilization options for black liquor and other pulp mill by-product streams, i.e. the components of black liquor, wood residues (bark and hog fuel), turpentine, tall oil, etc., and alternative pulping and chemical recovery technologies for future biorefineries. The project will have direct connections to the most significant biorefinery concept development projects in the Nordic Countries as well as in North America. Finnish host: Åbo Akademi, Process Chemistry Centre, Ph.D., Prof. Mikko Hupa
Prof. Stefan Winter, Technische Universität München, Germany FiDiPro project: "Innovative Timber Structures Technology - energy efficient and sustainable use of wood in building construction and the building stock - from materials to constructions" Energy saving goals and environmental aspects have made low-energy building interesting for industry and the construction sector. However, in Finland there is a lack of research for developing wooden low-energy houses in the sectors of technical specification, business concept development and standardization. TKK is inviting Professor Stefan Winter from TU München to bring know how of wooden low-energy wooden construction that is common in Central Europe. Prof. Winter is a globally acknowledged researcher and developer of modern timber construction. His expertise will create a platform of general research information, on which wooden low-energy housing areas can be implemented and related products commercialized.Finnish host: Helsinki University of Technology, Department of Forest Products Technology, D.Sc., Prof. Matti Kairi
Are biorefineries a solution to finnish forest industry? Lars Gädda's interview from Yle's morning TV
See the interview online Ylen Aamutv
Please note that Esko Aho's interview starts after 26:35 minutes in the broadcast. Lars Gädda's interview is after Aho's interview.
Forest Cluster Ltd launched its first research program called ”Intelligent and Resource-Efficient Production Technologies”'
- The goals of the program are to improve the competitiveness within the whole forest cluster, by developing radically new energy- and resource-efficient production technologies, and by finding ways to reduce the capital-intensiveness of the cluster. The duration of the program is five years, with a total budget of around 40 million euros. Half of the funding is directed to a joint research program which is open for all partners, and the other half is for industrial consortium projects.
- Read more...
The First Research Programme Call for ”Intelligent and Resource-Efficient Production Technologies” is closed.
- The First Research Programme Call was open until March 20, 2008. Thanks for your proposals. Evaluation is starting immediately. A more detailed description of the programme can be found in Finnish from Intelligent and resource-efficient production technologies/Program Call.
The First Research Programme ”Intelligent and Resource-Efficient Production Technologies” launched.
- Forest Cluster Ltd together with its owners has defined ”Intelligent and Resource-Efficient Production Technologies” to be the first research programme to be launched. The programme will run from 2008 to 2013 with a total budget of around 40 million euros.
- Proposals can be submitted until March 20, 2008 using the Forest Cluster Research Portal: Intelligent and Resource-Efficient Production Technologies. A more detailed description of the programme can be found in Finnish from Intelligent and resource-efficient production technologies/Program Call.
- For more information, please, contact Dr. Lars Gädda (lars.gadda@forestcluster.fi), research director of Forest Cluster Ltd.
CHRISTINE HAGSTRÖM-NÄSI APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF METSÄKLUSTERI OY
- Hagström-Näsi has been appointed Managing Director of Metsäklusteri Oy, an innovation company that was established in spring 2007. Hagström-Näsi holds a Licentiate in Technology and she was previously employed as Director of the Forest and Chemical Industries branch of Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. She will assume her new position on 17.9.2007.
- More information behind the link.
- Major companies in the Finnish forest cluster together with the Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Finnish Forest Research Institute and four Finnish universities have established Forest Cluster Ltd.
- The new innovation focused company is responsible for the operation of the cluster's strategic centre of excellence. Its task is to initiate research and innovation programmes and to channel research funds to selected focus areas.
- The forest sector's centre of excellence - led by the Forest Cluster Ltd - intends to become the strongest innovation environment of the branch globally.
- More information behind the external link Innovation company established to network top level research and innovation
FTP NEWS
- FTP launches project database. After a period of testing, the FTP has started using a database of research and development projects. Link to FTP database.
- The following National Support Groups have so far developed and adopted National Research Agendas for the forest-based sector (status as of December 2006): Finland, Slovenia and Sweden. More information behind the FTP NRA link
- Link to Swedish National Research Agenda (NRA) Web site
- The main objective of Forest Cluster Portal is to speed up strategic competence and innovation development through cross functional R&D activities. Portal utilizes the latest Wiki and Web 2.0 technologies to create new operation models and more open and transparent working culture based on web communities.
- To meet the innovation goals the different kind of approaches and methods must be applied.
Portal usability study
- The Finnish Forest Cluster Portal usability study is starting on the 11.12.2006 and ending on the 31.06.2007. Please give your feedback about the portal usability issues with this link.