Bioeconomy Business and Innovation Ecosystems : Lessons Learned and Factors for Success

Keynote Presentation

“From Innovation Ecosystems to New Wood-based Products”, Niklas von Weymarn, CEO at Metsä Spring

Roundtable discussion

Panelists:

Jatta Jussila, CEO, CLIC Innovation Oy
Paul Nemes, Deputy CEO and Process Leader, Paper Province
Arvid Friebe, Cluster Manager, BioEconomy e.V
Johan De Coninck, Director New Business Development & Strategy, Bioeconomy for Change

In this keynote session with roundtable discussion, we will learn how Metsä played the role of “anchor firm” in developing an innovation ecosystem for their so-called Bioproduct mills, and then we will have presentations by some of Europe’s leading bioeconomy Business and Innovation Ecosystems (BIEs or clusters).  The roundtable discussion will underline their core service areas, successes of the 3 BIEs, and some of the key challenges they faced in developing and sustaining their clusters. Could this be of interest to the Canadian industry?

PW Energy & BIOFOR Joint Session —

Advancing Pulp & Paper Industry Decarbonization in a Net-Zero Carbon Economy

Session Chairs: Serge Bédard, Natural Resources Canada and Victor Padilla, FPInnovations

This session will explore innovative strategies and technologies driving energy efficiency and decarbonization in the pulp and paper industry. Focus will be placed on advancing decarbonization efforts, achieving carbon neutrality, and transitioning toward a carbon-negative economy. The session aims to highlight practical pathways and roadmaps for sustainable evolution of pulp and paper industry .

Panelists:

• Roberta Dagher, Research Associate at Institut de l’énergie Trottier – Accélérateur de Transition, “Forest biomass in a net-zero future’’

• Francis Lebreux Desilets, Research Engineer and Luciana Savulescu, Research Scientist – Sustainable Industrial Decarbonization at CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada, “Advancing Decarbonization: Role of P&P Industry in a Net-zero Future”
• Enrique Mateos-Espejel, Senior Scientist/Project Leader at FPInnovations, “Roadmap for Canadian Kraft pulp mill decarbonization”
• Bill Adams, Vice President, Sustainability & Innovation at Mercer International, “Mercer International’s Climate Transition Plan”

Simulation and Digitalization for Sustainable Operation

Keynote Presentation

“Digital Intelligence Meets Human Ingenuity: Autonomy, Agility, and Environmental Renewal”, Mariana Sandin, Industry Principal at Seeq Corporation

This session will highlight innovative solutions for optimizing pulp & paper industries and driving sustainability through digital intelligence and data-driven insights. We will explore how digitalization is revolutionizing the biomass industry through cutting-edge applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). 

Speakers:

– Dr. Ragab Ahmed, Natural Resources Canada, ‘Machine Learning and Generative AI for Solvent Design and Lignin Valorization’
– Tom Van Der Velde, Business Transformation Lead Senior IT Project Manager, Vattenfall IT
– Philippe Mack, CBDO and Founder, PEPITe, ‘AI in process industry: from hype to impactful transformative opportunity’

What’s New in Substitution Materials?

This session highlights the latest advancements in substitution materials for sustainable packaging and insulation, showcasing innovations in cellulosic foams, bio-based barrier coatings, and standardization efforts within the bioeconomy. Discover how emerging materials are transforming industries and supporting the shift toward sustainable alternatives.

Speakers:

“Cellulosic foam for packaging and insulation products”, David Myja, Researcher at Innofibre
“Planes, trains & automobiles – new biomaterials for new markets”, Tomas Anderson, Senior Business Director at RISE
“Development of bio-based barrier coatings for paper packaging”, Kimberly Osten, Scientist at FPI
“Advancing Standardization within the Bioeconomy”, Bailey Smith, Project Manager, Natural Resources at CSA Group

INVITATION #2

The Smart Factory by Deloitte @ Montreal Open House

For those who could not take the VIP tour yesterday, here is another chance to visit the plant: on February 13, we invite you to The Smart Factory @ Montreal Open House, Deloitte’s 10,000 sq. ft. manufacturing & warehousing innovation centre based in Ville Saint-Laurent.

A showcase for cutting-edge manufacturing & warehousing technology, The Smart Factory enables clients to chart their own digital industrial transformation journey thanks to some thirty use cases.
Join us for this visit of The Smart Factory in a casual 5 to 7 format and learn more about this unique innovation center in Canada!

Date and time:

Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Location

The Smart Factory by Deloitte @ Montreal

3930 rue Griffith

Ville St-Laurent, QC, H4T 1A7

For more information: [email protected]

*Please note all schedule is set on Eastern Time