Industrial Biomaterial Visions: Spearhead Programme 2009-2013

VTT's Industrial Biomaterials Spearhead Programme 2009-2013 develops technologies and competencies utilising basic skills in chemistry, biotechnology, process technology, materials science, modelling and analytics. The technologies and competencies developed in the spearhead programme are directed to generate value chains that start from forest biomass and end up in selected high volume consumer products. In such a development the key is not to disturb the fragile value chains of the food sector. The spearhead programme focuses on the development of materials and production technologies based on fibres and nanocellulose as well as biomass based monomers and polymers. The aim is to integrate these new value chains into existing biorefineries (like pulp mills, biofuel production, brewing, and cereal sidestreams). The results will be exploited by actors in the chemical, process technology and materials sectors, both domestic and global. Especially interesting target sectors are the plastics, process, forest and energy industries as well as packaging and building. The spearhead programme will cooperate closely with the Finnish strategic centres for science, technology and innovation, namely Forestcluster Ltd., Cleen Ltd. and Fimecc Ltd.