Leverage to Eastern Finland through the utilisation of natural resources and conditions

Leverage to Eastern Finland through the utilisation of natural resources and conditions

Introduction Europe needs new success stories. More and more often, they are linked to beating different challenges with the help of smart solutions. Regional successes benefit the whole of Europe - its people, economy and environment. In the eastern and northern parts of Finland, the patient development work to utilise the area s rich natural resources and northern conditions is coming to fruition. These examples help you to familiarise yourself with the success stories and development work of these sparsely populated areas in the north of Finland. Measures are directed and boosted in accordance with the areas smart specialisation strategies. The Structural Funds of the EU play a major role in the birth of these success stories, and further support will be needed in the future. All areas must do their part in making Europe more competitive!

Leverage to Eastern Finland through the utilisation of natural resources and conditions POHJOIS-SAVO

Developing the use of raw wood material in Pohjois-Savo Focus areas and expertise strengths Bioenergy Biorefining development Developing the wood product industry Forest regeneration and growth Incineration technology test environments in Varkaus and Kuopio Top expertise in the measurement, management and health effects of incineration emissions Leading incineration boiler manufacturers in the world operate in Pohjois-Savo Top expertise in the research and utilisation of extracts obtained from slow pyrolysis equipment Wood product and composite production (boards, elements, beams, treated timber and composite timber) Eco-efficient timber building New and recycled building materials of single-family dwellings Forest regeneration biology and technology Forest management technology and logistics

Promoting the utilisation of raw wood material in Pohjois-Savo Development areas during the 2014-2020 period Key contents of some structural fund projects (total support EUR3.2M, total cost EUR5.1M): - Promoting the regeneration, growth, new exports and other globalisation of timber companies using new methods and utilising expert services. - New ecological building materials with potential business importance. - Harnessing the existing biorefining expertise and collaboration networks and equipment to support product development of companies. - Promoting the development of new innovations from liquid extracts obtained from wood through the use of new slow pyrolysis equipment, - Developing learning environments for forest and wood transportation logistics, which enable competent workforce to be trained for the field. - Developing the usability of pyrolytic oils extracted from wood in energy production - Promoting timber building and construction planning.

Mining industry development focus areas in Pohjois-Savo Focus is on water safety. In addition, there is leading expertise in process monitoring and management and general safety in mines. Water safety Water purification technologies and their application Environment- and process-monitoring Comprehensive risk management Modelling and transport of phreatic water Water level and process water cycle management New data processing and modelling products and services Pilot-scale testing Supporting the product development processes of companies Process monitoring and management Process measurement New sensor technologies Process imaging Modelling Process optimisation Mine safety Mining expertise Geochemistry ja biogeochemistry Enrichment processes and their development Metal transport Management of water issues

Development of the mining industry in Pohjois-Savo Development areas during the 2014-2020 period Key contents of some structural fund projects (total support EUR2.0M, total cost EUR2.9M): - A national Mine water network has been created, bringing together the experts of the field of mine safety. The network promotes concerted utilisation and marketing of mine safety expertise and services. It also offers impartial information about the field. - Developing resource-efficient excavation and processing technologies for the needs of companies in order to create and market new building stone products. - Utilisation the latest analysis technology for the development of new innovations and products, such as bio-based cleaning materials of mine waste waters.

A smart specialisation success story from Pohjois-Savo: Mine water network MINE WATER SAFETY The Mine water network promotes utilisation and marketing of mine safety expertise and services. Networking and extensive collaboration enable all RDI activities related to mine water. The network helps to further Finland s mine water expertise and its availability on the market. It acts as a link between research and business. The network also organises training. Companies Water treatment technologies and Pilot-scale testing SAVONIA University of Applied Sciences Water level and process water cycle management Geological Survey of Finland GTK Environmentand processmonitoring University of Eastern Finland UEF Comprehensive risk management National Institute for Health and Welfare THL

A smart specialisation success story from Pohjois-Savo: Mine water network A VERSATILE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT The operation of the Mine water network is based on strong expertise and versatile measurement, analysis and pilot equipment, which have been largely created with the help of the Structural Funds of the EU. Developing new methods as well as measurement and testing activities in the Pilot environment builds a foundation for the development of existing and new business. Measurement, analysis and pilot equipment: Chemical element analysis and pollutant identification Bruker Picofox S2 TXRF and EDXRF equipment (UEF and GTK) NMR equipment for demanding organic chemistry analyses (UEF) Thermo Scientific SL16R centrifuge (UEF) Sccan Spectrolyser-UV-vis spectrometer equipment (Savonia) Rigagu Raman Technologies Inc., FirstGuard 785-Raman spectrometer (Savonia) Water purification Chemical contact treatment unit of mine water and related laboratory equipment (Savonia University of Applied Sciences and GTK) Merck Life Science Oy, water purification equipment Jauhetekniikka Oy, powder dispenser and VFD-controlled control centre Transportable pilot-scale water treatment test equipment for the development of chemical, physical and microbiological water-treatment processes. The objectives include removing soluble metals, solid matter, sulphates and nitrogen compounds as well as on the field organic load from mine waters and cellulose and paper industry waste waters. Water quality and quantity measurements YSI EXO gauges, multi-parameter probes and YSI CastAway probes (UEF, THL, GTK, Savonia) Water-quality remote control room and transportable measuring station equipment (GTK) Measurement database SaMi (Savonia), which will be used in the future as a material transfer channel between companies and research organisations

A smart specialisation success story from Pohjois-Savo: Mine water network NATIONAL NETWORK The Mine water network brings experts together for a strong national-level collaboration effort. The network includes mines and other companies, research and development organisations, universities, higher education institutions and authorities from different parts of Finland. It enables efficient communication regarding the latest knowhow in the field, concentrated provision of services, and business-oriented problem solving in a multi-expert network. In this way, the network supports the development of companies and the formation of new companies in an efficient manner. projects.gtk.fi/kaivosvesiverkosto/

Leverage to Eastern Finland through the utilisation of natural resources and conditions NORTH KARELIA

Developing the use of raw wood material 1. Developing the wood product industry - Developing expertise in timber building and the closely related building technology, especially in large-scale timber building. - Providing information regarding the design, implementation and follow-up of timber apartment blocks, such as the functionality of the technical solutions used. Creating an energy-efficient neighbourhood unit model and mapping development needs and opportunities as well as different solution options. - Creating a development and innovation environment operating model for the needs of timber building and the wood product industry, which promotes the creation of new innovations. - Adding business opportunities for the industry. 2. Biorefining development - Developing a globally competitive bioanalytics research unit capable of analysing bio-oils and other wood distillates. - Reinforcing regional, national and international forest bio-economy collaboration between universities and the business community. Spreading new expertise and research data to companies in the field of biorefining. - Increasing business which is based on utilization of wood biomass. - Developing new technologies based on photonics and imaging with the purpose of improving the production of forest biorefining and cellulose plants and the management of key side stream processes in production lines. 12

Developing the use of raw wood material 3. Bioenergy - Demonstrating a property s capacity for self-sufficient production of heat and electricity from forest biomass, solar energy and wind as a part of larger heating and power grids. - Developing renewable energy solutions, which significantly improve the potential and competitiveness of biomass-based electricity- and heat-production. - Improving the energy solution expertise and product development of bio-economy companies and the multisectoral and business-oriented implementation of new education opportunities. - Studying the business potential of the production and utilisation of biomass-based synthesis gas or product gas and related business innovations as well as the duplicativeness of the required technologies to create new business. - Adding quality expertise to the procurement of forest biomass for raw material of energy production and biorefineries. 4. Wood streams and forest regeneration, growth and management - Mapping the alternative properties of the forest leasing service, based on which a new network-based business model suited to private Finnish forest economy can be developed. - Increasing the forest regeneration and young forest management expertise of forestry service companies, entrepreneurs and forest-owners and improving the productivity of forest management. - Putting the best operating models of forest management and new technological solutions into practice. 13

Current ERDF and ESF mining development and investment projects in North Karelia, contents and focus areas Supporting the growth of the region s SMEs and their attempts to join the national and international networks and consortiums of the mining industry. The target group comprises mining excavation and processing companies in North Karelia as well as mining machinery and equipment manufacturers and mining service companies. Mapping the demand-based customer potential and operating models of exported global training in further education in the field. Developing an efficient and competitive research infrastructure and research services connected to the process mineral technology at GTK s Outokumpu unit. Creating expertise and methods for ecologically sustainable mining operations and the monitoring of the environmental impact of the mining industry. The projects are implemented by GTK, the North Karelia Municipal Education and Training Consortium, Josek and the City of Joensuu. 14

A success story from North Karelia: GreenPark business park The purpose is to create a modern and efficient business park in Joensuu, which provides companies with a clear business advantage over companies operating elsewhere. GreenPark business park will be implemented through extensive cooperation, which involve companies already in operation in the area, companies relocating to the area, the City of Joensuu and the Finnish state. The projects are the result of strong desire of John Deere Forestery Oy and its partner network to develop their operations. However, the business park is not solely focused on one main customer. Instead, the idea is to create a strong partnership and collaboration network between all the companies locating in the park. Approximately EUR7 million were invested in the development of the business park from 2012 to 2014 through the European Regional Development Fund. During the same period, approximately EUR50 million were invested in the projects through private sources. 15

A success story from North Karelia: GreenPark business park The offset and objectives of the GreenPark business park development: - Quickly and easily adaptable office and factory facilities for different needs - Utilisation of Industrial Internet, digital solutions, mobile and cloud services Implementing a 5G pilot network in the factory area - Comprehensive logistical thinking in the internal and external operation of the area - It is possible to bring new innovative solutions to energy production. For instance, by utilising the excess heat generated by the Kuhasalo water treatment plant or the bioenergy produced by it; by implementing a heat channel solution; by utilising buildings and their surrounding areas in the collection of solar energy; or by utilising heat from lake Pyhäselkä. - The area also provides the opportunity to develop the symbiosis of the industrial area and the adjacent residential area, for instance, when it comes to energyefficiency and the utilisation of renewable energy. 16

A success story from North Karelia: GreenPark business park Business park currently provides 550 direct industrial jobs, 1,000 jobs if subcontracting, transport and other services are included. At the moment, the development of the area is concretely evident in the two business premise projects implemented by Joensuun Yrityskiinteistöt Oy. The Karelia University of Applied Sciences and the North Karelia Municipal Education and Training Consortium represent educational institutions in the RDI network. -> Target for 2025: The area offers 1,000 industrial jobs, 2,000 including the subcontractor network. 17

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Leverage to Eastern Finland through the utilisation of natural resources and conditions SOUTH SAVO

New ways of using wood in South Savo ERDF and ESF funding in 2007 2013 and 2014 2020 in Southern Savonia (excluding company projects) 38 projects Total cost EUR29.88M EU + the Finnish state: EUR18.0M New forest biomass products and production processes are spearhead innovations in Southern Savonia The region is developing the entire wood industry chain from timber growing and logging to wood product development, processing, the energy use of wood and logistics. Education and training in the field is also comprehensively developed. The aim is to achieve a higher added value for forest biomass by growing fast-growing trees for different purposes and by developing new high added-value products.

New ways of using wood in South Savo Focus of development in new ways of using wood and bioenergy Developing the high-level research, development and proto-workshops required for the regeneration and growth of the timber industry and industrial timber building as cross-regional collaboration. A factory-scale pilot environment for researching cellulose processes, etc., has been developed. Wood modification and thermal treatment to wood products with a high added value. Finding new ways of using micro-cellulose. Increasing the use of wood-based energy. There is a platform of circular economy ofr companies, public organizations and research organizations being developed at the EcoSairila centre in Mikkeli. Developing wood-processing and -refining.

South Savo s expertise in clean water and environmental safety serves the mining industry ERDF and ESF funding for mining projects in 2007 2013 and 2014 2020 in South Savo (excluding company projects) 2 projects Total cost EUR1.50M EU + the Finnish state: EUR1.09M The mining industry is linked to the clean water and environmental safety part of the smart specialisation strategy of South Savo (2014 2017). South Savo boasts strong industrial and municipal water treatment expertise, environmental RDI activity, important projects supporting it as well as companies operating in the environment field. South-Savo belongs to the leading areas of this field in Finland. Near future targets include extending the operation abroad. Expertise in treating process water can also be applied to, for instance, mine water both in Finland and abroad there will be a growing need for this as the demand for minerals is increasing with environmental requirements simultaneously becoming stricter.

South Savo s expertise in clean water and environmental safety serves the mining industry Focus of development in mining industry A green chemistry laboratory for researching things like the water treatment technology applied to mine water. New water treatment processes for the use of the mining industry are developed and piloted through cross-regional collaboration. There is a cross-regional project to study the recovery of metals from waste waters in the mining industry and to find solutions for utilising precipitate resulting from water treatment.

South Savo success story - the Fiber Laboratory of Savonlinna New forest biomass products and production processes are an integral part of smart specialisation in Southern Savonia. The Lappeenranta University of Technology founded the Fiber Laboratory in Savonlinna. Later moved under the ownership of the Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences. The Fiber Laboratory brought to Savonlinna a research and pilot environment for stirring technology innovations as well as new forest biomass and cellulose and environmental technology products in close collaboration with local companies. Brought new companies to the area and supported existing ones. Helped increase revenues, employment, tax income and local demand. Local businesses have received big orders from Finnish and foreign clients.

South Savo success story - the Fiber Laboratory of Savonlinna The laboratory serves applied science companies in testing phenomena, equipment and processes and by creating new innovative products and services. The laboratory supports leading bio-economy projects and boosts the Finnish economy by, among other things, increasing export income. The next step is to extend the research to encompass microcrystalline cellulose, which offers almost limitless opportunities for application. The Fiber Laboratory would not have seen the light of day without the support of the European Structural Funds.