Major investment in forest innovations and regional development

Mid Sweden University's research centre FSCN has been granted project funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Region Västernorrland for the project HIPS – Sustainable Innovations and Products in Forest Bioeconomy.

The overall goal of the project, which is three years long and has a budget of SEK 52 million, is to strengthen the development capacity, innovation capacity and networks of small and medium-sized enterprises to develop new value-added sustainable products based on forest raw materials through Mid Sweden University's knowledge and cutting-edge research.

- It feels great to be able to start the HIPS project, which gives us good conditions to strengthen and develop the innovative power of the region's small and medium-sized companies in the areas of wood, fibre and cellulose. Through HIPS, we want to accelerate the green transition in the Mid Sweden region, but also make the region visible internationally, says Magnus Norgren, project manager for HIPS and professor of chemical engineering.  

There are many companies in the mid-region that use wood, fibre or cellulose materials in exciting applications. Many of these are involved in the project right from the start, but a goal is also to engage more companies during the course of the project. The project will also be coordinated with several other regional initiatives and one goal is to put the Mid Sweden region even more clearly on the map when it comes to further development of renewable materials from the forest.

- Through HIPS, companies will gain access to the latest knowledge in the processing of wood materials, fibre materials and cellulose. Through the collaboration with Mid Sweden University and the researchers, we hope that entrepreneurs will gain new and in-depth knowledge to change or develop a way of working or insights into new methods that contribute to the development of even more sustainable solutions. says Regina Duymaz, incubator leader at BizMaker. We hope that new conditions will be created and that the project will be a catalyst for collaboration arenas, relationships and collaborations.  

- The HIPS project gives us as researchers the opportunity to contribute our knowledge and expertise to the implementation of the green transition in a clear and powerful way. Because no one can do everything, but many can do a lot together and really contribute based on their circumstances, says Birgitta Engberg, Centre Director for FSCN and Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering.

Read more about the project on www.miun.se/hips

Contact person

Magnus Norgren, Project Manager HIPS – Sustainable Innovations and Products in Forest Bioeconomy. E-mail magnus.norgren@miun.se Phone 010-1428877