Nov 5 2008
Forest sector company CEO's and CTO's gathered in Helsinki November 5-6 to discuss the structural challenges of the industry and promising future technologies that could help in revitalization and shaping of the industry. The conference, arranged by Spinverse, an emerging technology commercialization company, covered a range of topics, including R&D's role in a renewal process, power of innovations, international cooperation and sustainable development through technologies. New developments and cutting edge technologies were covered from the areas of materials, chemicals, energy and bio-refining and nanotechnology.
The opening session on November 5 ended with a fascinating panel discussion of forest sector company CEO's and industry analyst discussing the renewal, from industry challenges to financial aspects.
The conference was supported by UPM, Metso Corporation, Kemira, KCL and Forestcluster Ltd. "We wish to continue our efforts for fruitful cooperation between forest industry corporations, research institutions as well as public funding agencies, that are beneficial for the whole forest cluster," says Christine Hagström-Näsi, Managing Director of Forestcluster Ltd.
Among the contributors at the conference were high-profile speakers such as Jorma Eloranta, CEO, Metso Corporation; Pauli Hänninen, Executive Vice President, UPM; Harri Kerminen, CEO, Kemira; Kaarlo Niskanen, CEO, KCL; G. Ronald Brown, Executive Director, Agenda 2020; Geert Dancet, Executive Director, European Chemicals Agency; Anne Brunila, President, Finnish Forest Industries Federation; Joseph Cleary, Center Director, U.S. Department of Energy; Peter Axegård, Research Director, STFI-Packforsk and the author of "Smart Big Moves", Professor Paul Strebel from IMD Switzerland.
"We are pleased to have created an open environment for sharing ideas and proud to see here vast amount of industry leaders from corporations, research centers and governments who are all committed to the common goal of revitalizing the industry," says Maria Sipilä, Senior Consultant of Spinverse - a Finland based company focused on emerging technology commercialization and the lead organizer of the conference.