How can we increase knowledge about bioeconomy while also connecting with entrepreneurs with medium-sized businesses?
This is the challenge facing the three-year project Bioinno, which will run until 2022. Working on the project is new employee Kerstin Granath, who will be based at Dalarna Science Park. Her focus will be Dalarna specifically, although she will be working closely with colleagues from the county of Värmland at Paper Province, which is also a project owner.
– Not only will I be increasing knowledge and coordinating processes over county lines, but I will also be working to increase the intake of medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs who are interested in trying out new things and manufacturing prototypes using bio-based material, she explains. For example, there is a large 3D printer in Sysslebäck that can produce prototypes of biocomposite – that is to say, fibre-based material that is extracted from forests and can replace plastic.
Simpler and clearer avenues to knowledge and tests
Kerstin recognises that Dalarna can learn a great deal from the wealth of experience and knowledge that has been built at Paper Province. Working with them will serve to develop the arena and increase knowledge about bio-based materials in Dalarna. She wants to provide entrepreneurs and medium-sized businesses with a clear way in and access to test beds and experimental arenas to test and develop material and products.
– We want to increase the inflow of ideas and stimulate entrepreneurialism to facilitate the development of businesses and start-ups. We also want to make the system of innovation support clearer, and the process to be quicker and simpler for businesses and entrepreneurs. Regardless of whether a business is in Dalarna or Värmland, it must be free to move between counties.
New climate-smart bioproducts
Bioinno wants to involve branches that, at present, do not have a direct connection with forest management. Of course, the concept is sustainability for the purpose of finding climate-smart alternatives and replacing environmentally hazardous materials, such as plastic, with bio-based material.
– What I see for the future is an increased interest in environmentally friendly products and the ability to show businesses the benefits of working with forestry, innovation and development, states Kerstin Granath.
FACTS: Bioinno promotes entrepreneurialism in the field of forest bioeconomy in the counties of Värmland and Dalarna. The aim of the project is to promote the entry of forest-based innovations into the market. The project also works with innovation and business processes, offering advice, research contacts, prototypes, and help with market entry. The project will run between 2019 and 2022. Project owners are Paper Province, Dalarna Science Park, IUC Dalarna and The Wood Region in Torsby.
