Finland Times

 

Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori. Photo Lehtikuva.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is organising an international competition aimed at accelerating commercialisation of bio-refinery innovations and emergence of new bio-refineries in Finland. 

 

The competition was opened on Wednesday and proposals will be accepted until 04 December, 2014, according to a press release of the ministry.

 

"This competition represents a novel approach for the public sector to spur investments. We expect this competition to speed up various bio-refinery investments in Finland in the coming years", said Minister of Economic Affairs, Jan Vapaavuori, who opened the competition.

 

"Bio-refineries, which refine biomass efficiently and in a versatile manner into materials, chemical products, and energy, have a key role in the creation of new bio-economy business activities.

 

In a decision on 8 May, 2014, the government decided in principle to organise an open international competition for the launch of new bio-refinery concepts and the promotion of investments.

 

The competition aims at seeking proposals for a new-generation bio-refinery to be set up in Finland. It should be a commercial scale installation, which includes new technology that is not yet in commercial use. 

 

The refinery can also be a demonstration plant, whose technology or products have significant business potential. The aim of the competition is to lead to investment planning, and to investment that takes place in Finland.

 

The winner of the competition will be announced in February 2015. The first prize is EUR 100,000. 

 

In addition, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy is collecting a financial group comprising public entities to coordinate and assist in the acquisition of public funding for the best three entries. Private capital will nevertheless have a leading position in the proposed projects.