In order for a company to succeed, collaboration between different actors is crucial – and that is something Sweden is well-known for. We contacted Anders Eliasson at Business Sweden to talk about the advantages of establishing in Sweden, and how we can work together to make it attractive for green companies to stay and expand here.
Sweden is at the forefront not only in terms of sustainability and innovation. Another strength is the non-hierarchical collaboration between organizations within their specific areas. That contributes, among other things, to the emergence of new startups and the establishment of businesses in the Swedish market – domestic as well as foreign.
In the field of bioeconomy, there are collaboration projects between, for example, Paper Province, Sting Bioeconomy, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Business Värmland and Business Sweden. This cooperation makes Sweden an attractive place for Swedish and overseas companies looking for top-notch expertise and test beds in bioeconomy areas such as paper, cardboard and chemistry applications.
“Sweden has a strong point – the forest – and we should bear that in mind.”
One of the most important players in attracting foreign companies is our partner Business Sweden. Mandated by the government and the private sector, and with branch offices in over 40 countries, the organization helps Swedish businesses increase their global sales, while also facilitating international companies’ investments and expansion in Sweden.
Anders Eliasson, Senior Investment Advisor at Business Sweden, works in the materials industry and above all in forest-based bioeconomy. He believes a great part of Business Sweden’s mission is about helping companies refine the forest to renewable products and developing concepts that are interesting for foreign businesses.
“Sweden has a strong point – the forest – and we should bear that in mind. Business Sweden’s message to the world is: ‘Come to Sweden and scale up your process engineering!’.”
Lixea of London scales up at Bäckhammar
Lixea is a successful example of a company that has established in Sweden to scale up, thanks to Business Sweden’s cooperation partner Business Värmland and other players. This London-based startup has created a unique process that separates cellulose and lignin from biomass. Construction of their first pilot plant, strategically located at Bäckhammar in the municipality of Kristinehamn, began in 2020. That is also the home of the LignoCity test bed, the objective of which is to commercialize sustainable processes and products focusing on lignin as a raw material.
“Together we can lead the way for young companies”
Anders sees both Business Sweden and Sting Bioeconomy as good examples of Sweden’s pole position internationally when it comes to innovation and bioeconomy.
“Sting Bioeconomy and Business Sweden belong to the same innovation cycle, so it would be really interesting if we could benefit from each other and market ourselves together on the international arena. The first step is being able to attract and receive green companies, and to have an environment enabling them to develop. Together we can lead the way for young companies entering Sweden.”
About Business Sweden
On behalf of the government and the private sector, Business Sweden helps Swedish businesses increase their global sales, and also facilitates international companies’ investments and expansion in Sweden.
