Finland’s green transition requires innovation and collaboration

How can Finland become a leader in the green transition rather than simply follow developments elsewhere? This was the central question at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering’s alumni event, Innovation-Driven Green Transition.

The event featured talks on the role of innovation in industrial renewal and the development of Aalto’s innovation ecosystem. A panel discussion brought together representatives from the chemical, mining and forest industries to explore the opportunities the green transition offers in their respective fields.

Turning research into competitive advantage

Kristiina Kruus, Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering, spoke about the school’s development. Student enrolment and applicant numbers have grown, alongside efforts to foster an innovation culture and entrepreneurial mindset. The school is seeing an increase in new inventions, and research-based companies have been established in several fields.

Petri Lehmus, EVP of Materials and Energy at VTT, discussed how innovation can strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish industry. He used Neste’s renewable fuels business as an example, highlighting the role of technological expertise, new feedstocks and long-term investment in production capacity. As Lehmus noted, a technical solution alone is not enough. It must be scalable, commercially viable and affordable for society. Technological innovation must also be accompanied by new business models.

Janne Laine, Aalto University’s Vice President for Innovation, discussed the development of entrepreneurship and the innovation ecosystem. Aalto aims to increase the impact of its research and help more research-based solutions progress towards commercialisation and the creation of new companies. Laine emphasised the need for a systematic path from research to inventions, patents and new business.

Industrial renewal requires boldness and action

The panel discussion explored what will determine Finland’s success in the green transition. The panellists were Katariina Tumelius of Rejlers, Kalle Härkki of VTT and Reetta Kaila of UPM. They discussed the changes underway in the chemical, mining and forest industries.

Katariina Tumelius, Account Manager for Circularity & Biomaterials at Rejlers, highlighted one of Finland’s strengths: the ability to turn plans into action. Strong execution is a competitive advantage when it comes to turning new ideas into tangible results.

Kalle Härkki, CEO of VTT, discussed three forces reshaping the mining industry: resource scarcity and rising expectations for sustainability, electrification and the accelerating green transition, and geopolitical changes that could create new opportunities for the Nordic countries. These developments underscore the strategic importance of raw materials, technology and security of supply.

Reetta Kaila, VP of R&D of UPM, emphasised the importance of believing in new innovations and having the perseverance to develop them. Breakthroughs take time and sustained effort, as well as confidence that Finnish expertise can lead to competitive business.

Chemical engineering graduates have a vital role to play in transforming materials, energy systems, the circular economy and industrial processes. Thank you to all participants for the insightful discussions and exchange of ideas!