At the BioEco Valley Summit, hosted by Karlstad University, Pro2BE, in collaboration with Paper Province, Region Värmland, and Sting BioEconomy, researchers and industry representatives gathered to discuss the future of the bioeconomy. The event focused on how stakeholders can jointly continue to drive the development of a circular bio-based economy and contribute to the green transition.
– The circular bio-based economy needs to grow, and for that, we also need a workforce, said Magnus Lestelius, Professor of Graphic Technology at Karlstad University, who opened the conference. – By showcasing the diversity of careers within the forest industry, we can highlight the many opportunities available to students.
The region, historically rooted in the industrial production of wood-based goods, now boasts a bio-based economy that attracts companies from around the world. It offers excellent opportunities for growth in collaboration with raw material suppliers and several industrial clusters with various types of providers.
One of the keynote speakers, Anna Holmberg from Skogsindustrierna, emphasized that the Swedish forest industry is the backbone of Sweden’s economy and climate policy.
– Swedish forestry is one of the world’s largest exporters of pulp, paper, and sawn timber, contributing to employment across the country and providing significant global climate benefits.
Victor Isaksen from Sting BioEconomy, the second keynote speaker, highlighted the region’s potential for business development in the bioeconomy sector.
– This region has all the prerequisites: a robust global pulp and paper industry, a university conducting bioeconomy research, a world-leading cluster in forest-based bioeconomy, and numerous world-class testbeds. Sting BioEconomy is an accelerator that provides business development support to bioeconomy companies aiming for international market growth.
A Hub for Forest Industry Innovation
Matilda Iverlund from Paper Province described how the region serves as a hub for the forest industry, combining innovative startups with established international companies. Paper Province has 120 member companies and runs development projects as well as networking activities.
– Forests play a key role in a sustainable bioeconomy,” said Matilda Iverlund. “Society has a better chance of tackling climate, environmental, and energy challenges with a strong forest-based production and market.
Research for a Sustainable Bioeconomy
Karlstad University conducts extensive interdisciplinary research within Pro2BE (Processes and Products for a Sustainable Bioeconomy). This research focuses on transitioning to a bioeconomy based on renewable resources and advancing the forest industry. It encompasses fundamental material research applied to products and processes within the forest and biomaterials industries. Topics include pellet refinement, active barrier packaging technologies, molecular separation processes, purification and by-product utilization, packaging techniques, new cellulose derivative processes for textile raw materials, dewatering and drying optimization in paper manufacturing, and more.
The Industrial Research School, EXACT (Excellence in Advancing for a Circular Transition), funded by the KK Foundation, supports doctoral students employed by companies. Its goal is to combine process engineering and system analysis expertise with digitalization to develop energy-efficient, digitized production processes and high-quality bio-based products.
– For us at Karlstad University, collaboration is a vital part of our mission, said Stefan Frodeson, Head of the Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences. – Our shared ambition is for this conference to become an annual event.
The conference, focusing on the innovation ecosystem within a circular forest-based economy, was organized by Karlstad University in collaboration with Paper Province, Sting BioEconomy, and Region Värmland.
Author Carina Olsson, Karlstads universitet
