Finnish forest industry is renewing through academic research and innovation
- Sanna Hellsten
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
The FinnCERES Flagship is advancing long-term, high-impact research that drives innovation and economic growth. The Flagship works closely with industry and policy makers to drive societal development towards a sustainable bioeconomy.
The FinnCERES Flagship, a pioneering research initiative, stands at the forefront of the global transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy. Launched in 2018 and funded by The Research Council of Finland’s Flagship Program, FinnCERES harnesses the untapped potential of renewable materials, such as forests, which are Finland’s most important natural resource. Research ecosystems like FinnCERES are redefining industries, advancing cutting-edge innovations, and ensuring that Finland remains a global leader in bio-based materials science.
FinnCERES, jointly managed by Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, is not just an investment in research — it is an investment in Finland’s economy, sustainability, and industrial competitiveness.
A strategic investment for Finland’s future
FinnCERES is more than a research initiative—it is a cornerstone of Finland’s bioeconomy strategy. The Flagship’s strong collaboration with industry and policymakers ensure that scientific breakthroughs translate into tangible economic benefits. Providing science-based feedback for Finnish and European decision makers by, for example, participating in the Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel is one way to influence sound decision making for the Finnish society. The FinnCERES principal investigators, Professor Monika Österberg at Aalto and Research Professor Tekla Tammelin-Peltonen at VTT, are both members of the Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel and actively communicating with decision-makers.
The large-scale processing of lignin into different products could lead to a value added of 1.5 billion euros. - Professor Monika Österberg, Director of FinnCERES
‘According to the study we have done at the Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel, the key to increasing the value added of the forest sector is to extend value chains in Finland and make more efficient use of side streams. In the future, achieving significant added value would require the commercialisation of new material innovations in Finland. For example, the large-scale processing of lignin into different products could lead to a value added of 1.5 billion euros,’ says Professor Monika Österberg, Director of FinnCERES at Aalto. ‘FinnCERES research, focusing on developing new added-value materials from forest biomass is perfectly in line with this goal.’
Furthermore, the recently launched CIMANET doctoral education network, supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, highlights the flagship’s role in developing the skilled workforce necessary for a more sustainable future.
In addition to active EU level communication, FinnCERES has also reached out beyond Finland by establishing the Boreal Alliance network, that brings together universities and research institutes from around the world to further advance the research collaboration and support for science-based policy making in the circular and renewable bioeconomy.
Economic and societal impact
The Finnish economy is undergoing a transformation as traditional forest-based industries face declining production volumes. FinnCERES plays a crucial role in revitalizing this sector by fostering innovations in value-added bioproducts and clean technologies and therefore ensuring resilience. Within FinnCERES, many high-impact innovations have been made to support industrial renewal. These include:
Lignin nanoparticles that replace harmful fossil-based components in coatings and adhesives. Watch video of this topic.
Nanocellulose films capable of capturing nanosized plastic particles, addressing a major environmental concern.
Wood-based optical fibres, offering sustainable alternatives for smart textiles and sensing applications.
Sustainable structural colours derived from wood, eliminating the need for synthetic dyes.
Other currently important research topics globally include, for example, carbon capture and bio-based batteries.
FinnCERES is also well aligned with the development of industrial investments in bio-based materials in Finland. The close collaboration between the Flagship and Finnish industry promotes exploitation of the novel material solutions created in the Flagship, which can be transformed into successful business and new jobs. The FinnCERES Ecosystem, a collaborative platform for knowledge sharing and networking, has over 25 member companies with large corporations, SME’s and startups from different areas of materials bioeconomy. The ecosystem plays a central role in enhancing the dialogue between the Flagship and its key stakeholders.
Peer-reviewed articles | Doctoral degree holders | Patent applications | Business Finland projects |
950 | 71 | 103 | >20 |
leading research | new experts | commercialization of research | industry renewal |
Achievements that matter
Since its inception, FinnCERES has delivered exceptional scientific and technological advancements and educated a significant number of new experts to various areas of the bioeconomy. FinnCERES is tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from climate change mitigation to resource sufficiency. Its research focuses on four key thematic areas:
future biorefineries
clean air and water
lignocellulosics beyond plastics
bio-based optical fibers and energy storage solutions
To maintain its leadership in sustainable materials and industrial biotechnology, Finland must prioritise strategic fundamental and applied research. The internationally recognized FinnCERES Flagship fosters innovation, strengthening the national economy, and ensuring a more sustainable future.
