Chemical Technology April 2016

DESIGN & MATERIALS

other equipment manufacturers and research facilities, which, in turn, enables full utilisation of synergy benefits, as well as allocation of risks between the parties concerned. Public sector support also plays a significant role, in the form of laws and regulations, education and funding, for example. A network of piloting environment in bioeconomy VTT makes available to its customers and partners a comprehensive network of research environments of bio- economy, circular economy and cleantech technologies. In the initial stages, VTT focuses on gasification and pyrolysis. In addition, VTT will transfer its pilot plants for biomass processing, cellulose fibre spinning and process chemistry to Bioruukki in the years 2017-2018. At Otaniemi, there is also a piloting environment for biotechnology and food technology, complete with fermentation and extraction installations, bioreactors and high-throughput screening robotics equipment. The process equipment for polymeric materials is located at Tampere and the piloting environ- ment for fibre products at Jyväskylä. VTT’s own resources are supplemented by the resources provided by the partners. The shared research environment for bioeconomy of VTT and Aalto University form the Finn- ish national-level research infrastructure whose activities comprise education and both fundamental and applied

up commercialisation of such solutions in conjunction with other enterprises. From idea to production through piloting Valmet is a prime example of a business partner that has successfully utilised its partnership with VTT in its technol- ogy development. Piloting is a necessary stage in any development project to proceed from ideas and laboratory research to demon- stration trials and industrial-scale commercial production. Along the route, piloting equipment and installations of various sizes are required to validate the newly created technologies, describes Director, Technology and R&D Jussi Mäntyniemi of Valmet Sellu’s energy business line. According to Mäntyniemi, Valmet’s current business operations provide a solid foundation for the development and production of products and solutions for bioeconomy. At Valmet, the starting point for development work is always based on customer needs, such as generation of new revenue flows or products from existing processes, further development of production plants already in operation, or commercialisation of entirely new solutions. The prerequisites of any successful commercialisation process comprise the assessment of the business potential afforded by new products and solutions, and extensive and open collaboration with various actors, such as customers,

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Chemical Technology • April 2016