22 Mar 2023

World-Leading Centre for Green Innovation Is Developed in Umeå

A world-leading centre for green innovation in environmental technology, recycling, green energy and local production in Umeå. That is the vision and goal for the 600-hectare area that is now emerging near Dåva. The area also gets a new name, Dåva Eco-Industrial Park.

- That we can start discussing this project seriously at a political level is very positive. The idea is that Dåva Eco-Industrial Park will become an attractive place where the development of companies goes together with innovation, research and education, that an industrial symbiosis naturally develops between companies, academia and the public sector. Another important goal is that the actors on the site together create the conditions for new sustainable business, says Janet Ågren (S), Chariperson of the municipal board's planning committee, Umeå municipality.

A Circular Hub

The area is intended to become a living environmental centre that attracts businesses, education and research in the areas of environmental technology, recycling, energy and local production. The companies that establish in the area must be able to operate circularly and through test beds new innovations must be able to be tested and developed. The location and size of the area make it suitable for larger establishments, which can contribute in various ways to the municipality's climate, environment and population goals.

- We want to develop Dåva Eco-Industrial Park into an area for industrial symbiosis by using waste from one process as a resource in another process. It is about creating close and innovative collaborations. It is also important that the area becomes an attractive place to work and that the various activities become profitable, says Ulrik Berg (M), member of the municipal board's planning committee.

A Climate-Neutral Industrial Area

The area is to be climate neutral by 2040, which places demands on new thinking and innovation for how the continued development of the business area should take place. Dåva Eco-Industrial park will promote sustainable business.

An enabler is the railway terminal which is currently being completed in the heart of the area and which, with the connection to the Norrbothnia Railway, can offer climate-smart transport to and from the businesses in the area.

- With the establishment of Liquid Wind, you can say that we have taken the first step for Dåva Eco-Industrial Park when it comes to industrial symbiosis. This is because carbon dioxide from Umeå Energi is used by Liquid Wind to produce e-methanol, which reduces Umeå municipality's carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent, says Janet Ågren (S).

The Largest Industrial Area in Umeå

Today, there are already around ten businesses in the area active specifically in recycling and the environment. The actors collect and recycle waste to bring the recycled materials further into new processes. The goal is to reduce waste and to refine and develop new functional materials and to recover energy from residual products.

A growing business community is an important part of reaching the goal of 200,000 inhabitants in 2050. To make this possible, land is required to build on. The development of Dåva is particularly important as there is no area in Umeå that can offer equally good conditions for larger, sustainable establishments. Within the area there are large areas and opportunities for good infrastructure. Other positive conditions for the area are that Umeå municipality and Umeå Energi plan for high-voltage lines and process water.

Political debate and orientation decisions about Vision Dåva will be carried out at an upcoming meeting of the municipal board's planning committee.

Click here to read more about Dåva Eco-Industrial Park (in Swedish)!

More information:
Janet Ågren (S)
Chairperson
Planning Committee
Umeå Municipality
+4670-610 47 85
janet.agren@umea.se

Karin Måwe
Project Manager
Vision Dåva
+4676-135 55 89
karin@belatchew.com

Text: Umeå kommun