New Research Strategy

 Forest cluster research strategy

 

The Finnish forest cluster research strategy outlines the focal points of research that are crucial to the forest cluster and its client sectors. The target is to double the value of forest cluster products and services from the 2006 levels by 2030. At least half of the value will come from products and services that were not yet in production in 2006.

 

Another goal is to establish in Finland a successful, constantly developing forest cluster, whose products and services are among the most sought after in the world. This will pave the way for a sustainable bioeconomy.

 

 

Customer and user perspectives are playing an increasingly central role in research and innovation. The value added of products and services is generated in interaction with customers and consumers. This requires an active ability to anticipate customer and consumer needs, expectations and behaviour.

 

To identify new business opportunities we need to know the routines and practices of the customers and end users of products and solutions. This also applies both to the forest cluster’s existing products and services and to new products, services, and their applications.

 

 

Integrating new materials and services with products creates significant new areas of business. The use of materials and raw materials increases as the world’s most populous countries prosper. Shortages of non-renewable materials open new doors for the use of renewable wood-based materials. Solutions can also be sought through combining

different materials.

 

Daily user routines and customer practices and approaches can reveal opportunities for service providers. Long waiting times, material waste or excessive quality assurance measures provide strong clues for improving service. Other opportunities lie in providing expert services or in the tourist and recreational use of forests.

 

 

Building a sustainable economy requires a bioeconomy based on renewable materials. This is very much in line with the EU ’s objectives. In Finland the most important renewable resources are growing and sustainably managed forest

assets, which we have the duty to make good use of.

 

Finland has outstanding resources at its disposal to become a pioneer in sustainable development and bioeconomics driven by the forest cluster. In the future bioeconomy, wood will be used for an even wider array of applications,

from paper, packaging and buildings to biofuels and a broad spectrum of biomaterials and bioproducts. Our high level of expertise in modern wood processing, from machine engineering to timber harvesting, is the basis for new development.

 

Adding new products and energy production to biorefinery operations is a natural progression, but it requires new operating models and wideranging development. Even the most radical new processes are possible through research.