13 Nov 2020

New centre for test beds within bioeconomy in Örnsköldsvik

The initiative for a unique test bed for commercialization of new technologies, products and services in bioeconomy has started. In the first phase a flexible pilot hall with several different test beds will be built in connection to RISE's facilities in Örnsköldsvik.

The Swedish Government has granted RISE additional 350 million SEK during two years to intensify the work with finding sustainable solutions within bioeconomy. The addition will strengthen RISE initiative of test beds for biorefinery. This is the first step towards an establishment of a centre for test beds were innovators, entrepreneurs, marketers and researchers can meet to scale up and commercialize new technology.

- The purpose with the initiative is to create an international leading centre for commercialization of new products from the growing bioeconomy. The initiative may include a wide array of new technologies and end products with the common denominator being climate relevance, says Pia Sandvik, CEO at RISE.

In the first phase, RISE will build a flexible pilot hall with several different test beds. The plan is to build the pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik to get the biggest synergies with existing infrastructure and research environments. The goal is an innovation environment where companies, researchers and entrepreneurs in bioeconomy can meet. In addition to the infrastructure and the operator strength supplied by RISE, there will be an opportunity for companies to have their own pilot equipment and station personell in a dynamic innovation environment consisting of labs, pilots, offices and meeting places.

- To identify which infrastructure needed, we will initially listen with big ears to get the business', academia's, entrepreneurs' and insitute's picture of which technologies that are closest to commercialization and what is needed to reach full production scale as soon as possible. The keyword i to make business of all promising development work that already exists, say Magnus Hallberg, Division Manager of Bioeconomy and Health at RISE.

-We will also identify how RISE's other research-infrastructure in the field of bioeconomy fits in the new centre and review any development needs together with customers and partners. 

Clas Engström, former CEO at Processum in Örnsköldsvik, has been reqruited as a project manager for the initiative.

- I am convinced that Clas, with his solid knowledge, experience and network in biorefinery is the right person to lead this important project, says Magnus Hallberg.

Text: RISE Processum
Photo: Jonas Forsberg