Research programmes give companies a head start on the transition

By 2030, EU emissions will have been reduced by at least 55%. EU agriculture ministers have recognised that the bioeconomy has clear potential to be part of the solution to the climate crisis and dependence on fossil fuels. It could also play an important role in strengthening food security, an issue that has come to the fore with Russia's war in Ukraine.

"A lot needs to happen in the coming years," says Caroline Ankerfors, head of RISE's Bioeconomy research programme. And within the research programme, participating companies have the opportunity to make a difference while strengthening their own competitiveness by working together to find ways to benefit from the latest research.

"The key word is 'together'. When companies from different parts of the value chain come together around common challenges, everyone gets the full picture. If you have ten companies in a joint project, you are ten times more likely to achieve something," says Caroline Ankerfors.

Within the research programme, RISE works with companies to find new solutions in areas such as climate-friendly materials and green chemicals. Reducing the use of fossil fuels is also on the agenda. Partners range from forestry companies, pulp mills and paper producers to food waste collectors and biorefineries.

New focus on batteries and food production

At the turn of the century, RISE will launch an even broader research programme. This will add batteries and food production to the current focus areas of pulp and paper, wood and agro-biorefinery, and paper, board and tissue. The aim is to fill the programme with actors working in these areas. Many of the companies that have participated in previous research programmes have already indicated that they are ready for a new round.

"The companies are very active and generous with their experience. This is crucial to ensure that the projects launched are relevant and lead to something concrete. The idea is that the knowledge gained by the companies is put to use, either with our help or by the companies themselves using the new knowledge to improve their products and processes and thereby strengthen their competitiveness," says Caroline Ankerfors. 

Green transition is the common thread

The approach is for the partner companies to form consortia and work together on various projects. Examples include developing fibres for better paper performance or improving wood recycling processes.

"The common thread throughout the Bioeconomy Research Programme is green transition, becoming bio-based in areas where we may not be today. It is about making the best use of our raw materials and being resource efficient in everything from food production to pulp production and forestry. We are approaching the same question and challenge from different angles."

How does it work to get industry colleagues, and in some cases competitors, in the same room with common goals?

"The project structure of the programme is such that in the basic projects we do not work with application development, but the companies are involved in what is called pre-competitive research. This is where it is safe to be competitors in the same room. We also have agreements that protect both the results and the information provided by the participants," says Caroline Ankerfors.

Who decides what the projects are about?

"RISE has recently developed a first set of project proposals and is now in dialogue with interested companies, who also have the opportunity to provide input. It is of course important that the project content is of value to all participating companies, but this is not usually a problem. Not everyone may be interested in 100 per cent of the content, but perhaps 75 per cent."

In the example of ten companies carrying out a joint research project, the participants get a tenfold return on their research money, access to each other's knowledge - and to RISE's brains and labs.

"If you have the capacity and interest to manage the knowledge, it is very valuable," says Caroline Ankerfors.