Teknologiaa kehittämällä jalostusarvoa luonnontuotteisiin

Luonnontuotteilla tarkoitetaan sekä luonnonvaraisia että puoliviljeltyjä marjoja, sieniä ja yrttejä sekä erikoisluonnontuotteita, kuten pettua, mahlaa, pihkaa, jäkälää jne. Luonnontuotealaan kuuluu kaikki yritystoiminta raaka-aineiden talteenotosta tuotteiden jatkojalostukseen sekä luonnontuotteiden käyttö matkailu- ja hyvinvointi-aloila. Suomen biotalousstrategian mukaan alan liikevaihdon arvon on ennakoitu kasvavan lähes kaksinkertaiseksi vuoteen 2025 mennessä. Uusia työpaikkoja arvioidaan syntyvän 100 000. Luonnontuoteala mainitaan osana biotaloutta, ja terveysvaikutteisten sekä puhtaista luonnon raaka-aineista valmistettujen tuotteiden kysynnän kasvun ennakoidaan vauhdittavan luonnontuotealan kasvua. Tähän raporttiin on koottu tietoa teknologian hyödyntämisestä luonnontuotealalla nykyisin sekä samalla on kartoitettu alan toimijoiden kiinnostusta hyödyntää uusia teknologioita liiketoiminnan kehittämisessä. Luonnontuotealan kehittämisen kannalta teknologioiden hyödyntämismahdollisuuksia esiintyy koko arvoketjussa raaka-aineen viljelystä lopputuotteiden valmistamiseen, kuten myös matkailu- ja hyvinvointi- sekä ravintola-alalla. Teknologioiden hyödyntämismahdollisuuksien tarkastelu on kohdennettu erityisesti raaka-aineiden ja arvoaineiden talteenoton ja väli- sekä lopputuotteiden kehittämisen eri vaiheisiin, sillä arvoketjun näiden osien kehittäminen kohti teollista toimintaa edistäisi huomattavasti luonnontuotealan liiketoiminnan kehittymistä Suomessa. Luonnontuoteala Suomessa on vielä hyvin käsityövaltaista. Luonnontuotealan liiketoiminnan kasvattaminen teolliseen mittakaavaan edellyttää panostusta mm. raaka-aineiden talteenoton tehostamiseen ja tuotteiden jalostusarvon nostamiseen hyödyntämällä teknologioita, ml. automaatiota ja robotiikkaa. Tuotannon skaalaaminen laboratoriomittakaavasta pilotti- ja teollisuusmittakaavaan edellyttää myös rahoitusta testaukseen ja pilotointiin sekä laiteinvestointeihin. Uusien luonnontuotteiden ja palveluiden kehittämisen lähtökohtana tulisi olla kysyntälähtöisyys ja ennakoitu markkinatarve, jonka perusteella tuote-ideoista tulisi jalostaa innovaatiosessioissa tuotekonsepteja. Markkinatarvekartoituksia tulisi tehdä erityisesti kansainvälisen viennin edistämiseksi, sillä esimerkiksi terveysvaikutteisten tuotteiden kysyntä on kasvamassa megatrendiksi maailmalla. Tuotekonseptien liiketoimintapotentiaalia tulisi arvioida ja laatia investointi- ja kannattavuuslaskelmia sekä kehittää valituille konsepteille/tuotteille arvoketjuja raaka-aineen hankinnasta lopputuotteiden jalostukseen

Partnership for International Development: Finland–Argentina Conference on Circular Economy and Bioeconomy with Emphasis on Food Sovereignty and Sustainability

A joint collaboration between the Cuarto region of Argentina championed by the National University of Rio Cuarto and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland organised a conference on several topics that are related to food sovereignty, sustainability, circular economy and bioeconomy. The efficient utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. Hence, this partnership between the partner institutions will lead to the cocreation of knowledge. The topics were multidisciplinary, and the discussion focussed on research and teaching opportunities for institutions in both countries. The experts from both countries will continue to engage on the possibility of promoting the research agenda in these important areas.EEA Marcos JuárezFil: Raheem, Dele. University of Lapland. Arctic Centre; FinlandiaFil: Soltermann, Arnaldo T. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Tamiozzo, Laura Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez. Agencia de Extensión Rural Río Cuarto; ArgentinaFil: Cogo, Ariel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Agencia De Extensión Rural Luján; ArgentinaFil: Favén, Leena. Centria University of Applied Sciences. RDI Chemistry and Bioeconomy; FinlandiaFil: Punam, Noor Jahan. University of Lapland. Arctic Centre; FinlandiaFil: Sarmiento, Claudio R. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Rainosalo, Egidija. Centria University of Applied Sciences. RDI Chemistry and Bioeconomy; FinlandiaFil: Picco, Franco. Cooperative Initia Limited; ArgentinaFil: Morla, Federico. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Nilson, Armando. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Stammler-Gossmann, Anna. University of Lapland. Arctic Centre; Finlandi

Partnership for International Development:Finland-Nigeria Conference on Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship

A joint collaboration between the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria was organised as a hybrid conference on several topics that are related to climate, food, health and entrepreneurship. The utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. The topics discussed were multidisciplinary, they include Nigerian indigenous foods, bioeconomy, circular economy, nutrition, health, innovation and entrepreneurship under four themes (Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship). There were dignitaries from Finland and Nigeria. The presenters are researchers from Nigerian universities (University of Ibadan, University of Abuja and Eko university, Lagos), Nigerian Federal Institute of Industrial research centre and from the Finnish side we have the university of Lapland, Rovaniemi, University of Oulu, Oulu and the Centria University of Applied Sciences, Kokkola. The topics discussed will serve as training materials for students and learners, the discussion focussed on research opportunities for institutions in both countries. The experts from both countries will continue to dialogue on the possibility of promoting common topics as research agenda in these important areas with the possibilities of creating more jobs

Local circular economy value networks for small businesses : Concept of Local Circular Wellness Hub

Current challenges related to the utilisation of secondary raw materials from micro and small businesses in remote locations are mainly associated with the economic performance of any chosen solution. Firstly, the amount of secondary raw material is small and is not attractive for investing in their processing technologies on a local scale. Secondly, for the segregation same type of secondary materials the costs are increasing due to logistics, in countries like Finland it can rise high and secondary raw materials become too expensive to serve the purpose. It is also questionable if emissions related to logistics will outperform the environmental gains from using those secondary materials for new products. The objective of the thesis is to conceptualise a locally significant circular ecosystem, which utilises secondary raw materials from the small-scale brewing and catering industry and engages society into multiple circular value chains. The theoretical framework describes the circular economy concept and challenges in its implementation, circular supply chain and shared value creation, the importance of collaboration for creating innovations and cross-sectorial collaboration and finally orchestrating circular solutions. The qualitative research methodology was conducted, including content analysis as desktop research and interviews. As a result, the concept of a local Circular Wellness Hub, with multiple operators, such as brewery, beauty and wellness service providers, catering and other food businesses, small-scale cultivation, and circular product vendors is created. Social value is suggested to be reinforced with the engagement of various social groups and educational missions as integral parts of the hub activities. Orchestrator organisations for overall holistic value network at various stages of their development are analysed and suggestion is made for public organisation to initiate stakeholder involvement

SMART CLOTHING - Report of laboratory tests of smart clothing technologies and materials

Today the clothing industry in the EU is struggling against cheap imports from Asian countries. Production escaped to lowcost countries first from Sweden and Finland, and now the same is happening in the other Baltic Sea countries. Ergonomically designed, functional smart clothing and safe products are the competitive advantage in the competition against low priced import when trying to retain and develop business in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). Latvia and Finland have specific knowhow in smart textiles and their applications in textiles and clothing, whereas Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are the main producers in the Baltic Sea area. In these project industrial companies especialy SMEs can benefit from the knowhow of modern scanner technology, smart clothing technology and effective supply chain management (i.e. RFID and PDM) of the universities. Transnational networks and knowhow of effective supply chains already exist between the SMEs in the BSR clothing field. However, there are possibilities in mass customization and new innovations, as well as in integrating IT technology in work wear clothing and building even more effective supply chains in the BSR. The objective is to develop the work wear clothing business in BSR and make it more competitive in order to resist competition from new producers and imports. The supply chain is already transnational among BSR countries in the form of design, markets and subcontracting. The project focuses on mass customization, and the possibility to integrate IT technology in work wear as well as to enhance supply chain management

SUSTAINABLE BOAT DESIGN GUIDE: Materials, Manufacturing, End-of-Life and Environmental impact

The fiber-reinforced plastic composite components consist of fiber reinforcements (glass, carbon, aromatic polyamide fibers) embedded in resin (epoxy, polyester, phenol-formaldehyde). While the resin gives the composite its shape, surface appearance, environmental tolerance, and overall durability, the fibrous reinforcement bears most of the structural loads, thus primarily providing macroscopic stiffness and Strength. Due to the chemical crosslinked structures, thermoset composites cannot be easily separated into their fiber and matrix components, which is the basis for the success of these versatile materials but also means they are inherently difficult to recycle. Additionally, the production of the fibers mentioned above is energy-intensive and consumes non-renewable resources. Therefore, adopting sustainable alternatives for synthetic fibers and resins in production is essential for the industry to move to a circular economy model from the current linear model

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF STEERING CONSOLE USED IN BOAT

The Veneprint project’s primary goal is to create conditions for boat industry companies to transform from a linear economic model to a circular. This transformation is envisaged through the utilization of partially or entirely bio-based, as well as recyclable, materials and robotized 3D printing production technology. The project’s measures will reduce the carbon footprint of boat companies, improves working conditions for workers and therefore improves overall sustainability. The use of recyclable material with potential to reuse it strengthens companies’ competitiveness and provides cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to customers, while 3D printing technology enables better customization of the boat features. Furthermore, Veneprint project activities accelerate business development by promoting investments in new modern technologies and pave the way for new value chains, which can be exploited locally

Material selection for 3D-printing with fused granule fabrication

This report discusses the selection of thermoplastic composite materials potentially suitable for manufacturing boat components and composite tooling by 3D printing (FGF) based on different testing methods. Thermal expansion/shrinkage of thermoplastic materials in 3D printing large-size products cause shape distortion. It is known fact, that thermoplastic materials require fibers or fillers to reduce material shrinkage from hot melt to room temperature. Therefore, wood-filled thermoplastic composites and glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites are selected for testing for various properties relevant to the service life of the printed products, boat components and moulds. The following sections of the report describe the chosen materials, testing methods and results in detail

Supply Chain Management – Survey of supply chain models in clothing industry

Textile industries proficiency is in great deal dependent on logistic costs, inventory size, lead times, especially when product manufacturing is subcontracted to Asia or other cheap labour countries. The task of the supply chain design and management in textile industry is to ensure the availability of products at the right time, but at the lowest possible cost. The purpose of this study is to provide work wear companies with overview of supply chain elements to be analysed in order to improve their business operations and profitability. Study also provides information on existing IT solution for data collection, analysis and management of supply chain as a whole or single elements of it