BioPartners ERDF-project 2019-2021

In North Karelia, in the field of traditionally strong wood processing, business cooperation between research institutes needs to be stepped up. This is partly due to the lack of research and demonstration equipment serving companies in the region, and partly to the practices and differing goals of research organizations. Nationally, business cooperation between research institutes and large business actors is generally more networked and developed.

BioPartners project develops the technical capabilities and agility of research and training units to produce biomaterials and chemicals production and product testing services, as well as research cooperation. The project will improve communication between research institutes and create a common supply platform. The investment section of the project will update research and demo equipment for 1) pulp, wood and wood processing industrial by-products processing, 2) weathering testing of biomaterials and wood products, and 3) acoustic and moisture engineering measurements of wood structures and construction.

The development project section promotes the emergence of business cooperation through public demonstrations, enhancing the marketing of services and activating national stakeholder cooperation. Companies are also offered a low-threshold opportunity to access the equipment in their own development work. The aim is to allocate resources to the needs of the region’s RDI actors, increase the utilization rate and build closer co-operation practices and communication.

The project is funded by the North Karelia Regional Council (ERDF funding), Stora Enso, Fortum, Keti, Pikes, Business Joensuu, Scanpole, Joroisten taiteovi, Kesmac and Karelia Windows. The project is implemented by the University of Eastern Finland, the Natural Resources Institute Finland and Karelia University of Applied Sciences.