Nordic RTOs Collaboration on Testbeds and Technology Infrastructures Strengthens the Impact on European Green Transition

In 2019 the Nordic Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) signed a MoU on collaboration around testbeds and technology infrastructures. In the same year a mutual research infrastructure cooperation agreement on bio- and circular economy technologies was signed between VTT and RISE. Impacting applied research and scale-up requires not only top level competence but also state-of-theart experimental testbeds including well equipped laboratories and pilot plants. The primary reasons for the collaborative initiatives were to learn from each other by sharing knowledge and experience and working together through testbeds.

Now after three years it is time to discuss what has been achieved and what are the key actions in the coming years. The analysis of the technology infrastructures of VTT and RISE revealed surprisingly low amount of directly overlapping facilities, and several research fields had clearly complementary testbeds. This forms a solid basis for collaboration in further development of the testbed offering, for example in the form of INN-PRESSME project and other networks. The knowledge of each other’s facilities has helped in planning the major research infrastructure investment projects such as RISE Bioeconomy Arena and VTT Bioruukki Pilot Centre.

SINTEF joined as partner for the assessment of Nordic research landscape, available research infrastructures, funding schemes and development actions. The Nordic governments are equally committed to United Nation’s sustainability goals and EU green transition targets, and the national research priorities are relatively similar. The complementary and specialized test beds give opportunities for Nordic collaboration in terms of use, development and impact.

Infrastructure collaboration have the potential to enhance the impact on research, commercialization and society. Information exchange through collaboration agreements and personal contacts illuminate synergies and lead to smarter solutions.