News Release

Finland to get a Center of Water Efficiency Excellence

The objective is to create unique scientific and technological water expertise and new business opportunities in the water sector

Business Announcement

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Kemira Oyj and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland will establish a Centre of Water Efficiency Excellence to Finland. The present Finnish competence of the water sector is being gathered into one centre. The aim is to construct a new and unique competence of the water sector in Finland and to create new business opportunities for companies in the environmental technology sector.

The research centre will be known as the Centre of Water Efficiency Excellence, with principal partners Kemira Oyj and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The aim is to develop new technology, which helps to enhance the water usage and recycling, and to create more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for the water intensive industry.

"When choosing the research sectors, one of the main selection criteria has been the growth of the global markets. Some examples of the research sectors are the cost-efficient cultivation of sea water into drinkable water, the utilization of bio mass resulting from the waste water treatment in production processes of energy and bio energy, and the decomposition of products," says Johan Grön, Kemira Oyj's Executive Vice President, R&D and Technology.

"VTT has the know how and the structure that can combine different fields of technologies and expertise that meet well with the qualifications in developing new and open-minded environment and water technology. I believe that those products that are being developed in a centre based on top expertise and know how meet high market demands and possess growing international potential. I also hope that this will open up a new commercialization of technology opportunity where top end technology can be exploited in water purification, recycling, monitoring and treatment of process waters," says Erkki KM Leppävuori, President and Chief Executive Officer of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

"Already today, Kemira is one of the leading water chemistry companies globally. We have operations in 40 countries, an experience of decades in water technology, and a wide competence for different needs in water management. Water technology and water chemistry play a key role in developing alternatives for more efficient water usage and recycling," says Harri Kerminen, Kemira's President and Chief Executive Officer.

The lack of water and the problems caused by it is a sizable challenge globally for industries and megacities. The regions suffering from water scarcity are usually those where the industrial and population growth is the most rapid. This is why the water-intensive industry is constantly looking for solutions to boost their water efficiency. Normally, the water availability is not a problem in Finland, but Finland has the competence to solve the challenges caused by water scarcity.

The total cost of the research, which will be performed at the centre, is estimated at 120 M€, including external funding. The investments will be allocated into 4 years, resulting further investment activities in projects for piloting and demonstrating purposes. There will be 200 persons working at the centre annually.

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Further information

Kemira Oyj
Johan Grön, Executive Vice President, R&D and Technology
Tel. Phone +358 10 862 1058
johan.gron@kemira.com

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Kari Larjava, Executive Vice President
Tel. +358 40 500 9673
kari.larjava@vtt.fi

Further information about Kemira Oyj
Vice President, Communications
Leena Lie
Tel. +358 40 745 7943
leena.lie@kemira.com

Further information about VTT
Olli Ernvall, Senior Vice President, Communications
Tel. +358 40 840 0288
olli.ernvall@vtt.fi

Kemira is a global 2.5 billion euro chemicals company that is focused on serving customers in water-intensive industries. The company offers water quality and quantity management that improves customers' energy, water and raw material efficiency. Kemira's vision is to be a leading water chemistry company. Its paint and coatings business, Tikkurila, aims to be the market leader in decorative paints and selected wood and metal coatings in chosen markets. www.kemira.com http://www.waterfootprintkemira.com/

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is the largest contract research organisation in Northern Europe, providing high-end technology solutions and innovation services for the private and public sectors, both at home and abroad. VTT employs approximately 2,900 persons. www.vtt.fi


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