Research partners
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is a visionary research, development and innovation partner for companies and the society. We bring together people, business, science and technology to solve the biggest challenges of our time. This is how we create sustainable growth, jobs and wellbeing and bring exponential hope. VTT is one of the leading research organisations in Europe, and we have nearly 80 years of experience in cutting-edge research and science-based results. Our more than 2,000 professionals work to develop systemic and technological solutions that can bring about fundamental transformation. We promise to always think beyond the obvious. Website
University of Helsinki (UH), established in 1640, is the largest and most versatile university in Finland. The university has around 38000 students working on degrees and 7700 employees. The Department of Chemistry has about 300 employees and an annual budget of about 8.1 M€. The research strategy of the Department of Chemistry focuses on sustainable chemistry and material science including nanochemistry. The research environment at the Department of Chemistry supports sophisticated synthesis and characterisation of materials and chemicals. Our modern laboratories and equipment facilitate the state-of-art synthetic methods, including high pressure reactions and inert atmosphere syntheses. The Department of Chemistry has excellent instruments for analysis and characterisation. The research group of prof. Ilkka Kilpeläinen consists of 4 post-doc, 3 doctorate and 2 undergraduate researchers. The group has broad experience on isolation, derivatisation and structural characterisation of biological macromolecules, especially wood and its constituents. The laboratory is well equipped for synthesis, purification as well as characterisation of synthesis products. UH brings to the program competences in ionic liquid development for cellulose dissolution & stability testing. Website
The University of Oulu (UO) is an international science university which is founded in 1958. UO has 13 000 students and 2900 employees being one of the largest and the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. Novel lignocellulose materials team (total appr. 20 persons) at the Fiber and Particle Engineering research unit in the UO focuses on sustainable materials and chemicals based on lignocelluloses in various applications. The core expertise of the group is related to sustainable green chemicals (DES) in biomass modification and various materials and applications of cellulose fibres and nanomaterials. The team has all relevant processing equipment, analytics, and trained laboratory staff related to these topics. Website
Consortium partners
BrightPlus is a leading green chemistry and bio-sourced circular materials company, based in Finland. Headquarters are in the city of Tampere, with Production and Design Studios in Oulu. The company creates, manufactures, sells, and licenses its circular economy BrightBio® materials to leading global manufacturers of packaging products for major brands. They work closely with customers from an early stage, to ensure that solutions are practical from the outset and fully comply with their existing processing methods, without the need for capital expenditure. Their special focus is on the valorisation of side streams and bio-based renewable carbon solutions. Website
Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water intensive industries. We provide best suited products and expertise to improve our customers’ product quality, process and resource efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, oil & gas and water treatment. In 2019, Kemira had annual revenue of around EUR 2.7 billion and over 5,000 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Website
Liuotin Group Oy is a development company with a mission to fill the technology gap required to scale-up key ionic liquid production, allowing businesses to innovate. The core business areas of interest are cellulose chemistry and technology, although our internal know how extends into lignocellulosic biomass swelling/dissolution and chemical processing, in general. Website
Metsä Fibre is a leading producer of wood-based bioproducts, such as pulp, sawn timber, biochemicals and bioenergy. We produce pulp and bioproducts at four mills in Finland, and sawn timber products at five sawmills in Finland and one sawmill in Russia. Our products are known for their high quality, which is based on the unique characteristics of Nordic wood. Website
Metsä Spring is the venture capital arm of Metsä Group. We invest worldwide in promising startups and early-stage companies with a visible path to the Metsä Group business ecosystem. In addition to companies, Metsä Spring funds basic research through research projects, with the aim of supporting Metsä Group’s business. In addition to funding, Metsä Spring also provides access to Metsä Group’s global network and expertise. Website
Pixact Oy: Pixact develops and supplies novel online measurement technology based on optical imaging. Our products provide new tools for the diagnostics, control, and optimization of processes involving liquid suspension. Our technology combines online process microscopy with advanced image analysis techniques to produce very detailed information of suspension properties. It enables real-time analysis of critical process parameters, such as particle size, shape, and color. The accurate control of these parameters facilitates improved process performance, reduced lead-time, decreased out-of-spec production, and even simplified process operation. Website
Top Analytica Oy is a surface analytical laboratory based in Turku. Our analytical expertise stems from deep knowledge in microscopy and spectroscopy, and from profound expertise in characterization of various materials. We are a leading laboratory in cross section preparation and microscopy. In addition to our own instrument base, we routinely utilize our instrument network based in different universities to meet the needs of our customers. Website
