15 Oct 2024

RISE’s New Pilot Hall for Biorefinery Inaugurated in Örnsköldsvik

On Monday, October 14, RISE’s pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik was inaugurated. This facility will be the center for RISE’s activities in biorefinery. Being able to process residual streams from the forestry industry and other sectors into new innovative products is an important part of Sweden’s green transition.

“With the new pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik, we have created a hub for development in biorefinery, where actors in research and industry can realize ideas on how biomass can be used in new applications. Here, large companies and growing tech firms can meet and create new opportunities. The pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik has the potential to attract international companies that want to establish new research facilities in this creative environment. The investment RISE has now made in new technology infrastructure at several sites contributes to making Sweden a world leader in new bio-based solutions,” says Malin Frenning, CEO of RISE."

Malin Frenning, CEO of RISE, and Anna-Britta Åkerlind, Chair of the Municipal Executive Board in Örnsköldsvik, connected a symbolic value chain at the inauguration of RISE’s new pilot hall for biorefinery.

In the flexible pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik, as well as in operations around the country, companies will be able to test their innovations without having to start from scratch with things like access to steam, sewage, and environmental permits. Biomass that was previously used in less developed production or residual streams that were not used at all have great potential for use. The amount of biomass is and will be even more limited in the future. By driving and enabling testing, RISE can ensure that the use leads to the greatest possible benefit and resource efficiency, both in the short and long term.

"We are already up and running with operations, this is happening now. For example, we have two large EU-funded projects in food development linked to biotechnological processes in the startup phase. This investment will enhance Sweden’s capabilities and strengthen our position as a leading nation in the green transition. One of the most important keys is the support we can offer companies to take their ideas to market," says Magnus Hallberg, Head of the Bioeconomy Division at RISE.

Collaboration with companies, both startups, small businesses, and large corporations, is RISE’s strength in the green transition within the bioeconomy. The research and development work is carried out in close cooperation with the industry and contributes to new products and solutions reaching the market.

"This is Sweden’s most interesting environment for the development of bio-based products and materials, which is now taking a big step forward. Together with RISE, we represent the entire chain from research to industrial production. We are now laying the foundation for the next wave of green industrial transformation," says Emil Källström, CEO of SEKAB.

Text: RISE
Photo: Jonas Forsberg