Estonian government directed 5 million euros to AS Metrosert to increase the share capital to launch the biorefining activity of the applied research centre operating under the company. This makes it possible to start new activities in the field of wood chemistry and, more broadly, in biomass processing to carry out pre-production tests.

“Launching the biorefining business line is an important step moving towards production with higher added value in the wood sector. Biorefining allows the added value of wood and other biomass to increase at least seven times compared to mechanical,” said Estonian Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo, who specified that Estonia has all the prerequisites to deal with it.

“We have forest, biomass and maintained growth areas, as well as top-level research at universities. The challenge so far has been the creation of industrial scaling capabilities, which would help bring the technologies and products developed in the laboratory to industrial sizes. And this is where the state comes to the rescue through the applied research centre,” he added.

“Our goal is to reduce the costs of companies’ research and development activities, increase the efficiency of processes, encourage international cooperation and support the growth of the volume of exports and intellectual property of companies.”
Indrek Tulp, a member of the board of AS Metrosert

In the past 30 years, Estonian companies have progressed to the point where they are transitioning from being users of technologies and processes to developing their technologies and selling intellectual property and knowledge. “This shift requires the support of researchers with top-notch knowledge and practical application skills. Creating an applied research centre is at the right time and place. Now it must also be launched in the spirit of business-supporting services!” said Fibenol´s development manager Peep Pitk.

The Biorefining Center focuses on five areas

The Biorefining Center is a valuable partner, contributing to developing innovative technologies and products in proteins, enzymes, yeasts, and bioplastics that benefit the food, wood, circular economy, and plastics industries.

“Our goal is to reduce the costs of companies’ research and development activities, increase the efficiency of processes, encourage international cooperation and support the growth of the volume of exports and intellectual property of companies,” said Indrek Tulp, a member of the board of AS Metrosert.

The Applied Research Center supports companies in developing knowledge-intensive products and services by focusing on five areas of research and development: biorefining, drone technologies, autonomous vehicles, hydrogen technologies and health data.

The Applied Research Center supports companies by focusing on five areas of research and development: biorefining, drone technologies, autonomous vehicles, hydrogen technologies and health data. 

These five areas were selected after thoroughly analysing and mapping market demand as the most commercially promising areas. In the state budget, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications is allocated 5 million euros to increase the share capital of AS Metroserd to start an applied research centre in 2024 and 4 million euros in 2025 in the state budget strategy.

Approximately 500 biomass beneficiation companies in Estonia have been engaged in knowledge-intensive product development in recent years.

GOOD TO KNOW
Fields of activity of the Applied Research Center

As a result of the analysis conducted in the framework of the Applied Research Programme, five focus areas (biorefining, drone technologies, autonomous vehicles, hydrogen technologies and health data) were selected from the 27 main fields of technology where governmental support could potentially lead to a significant developmental leap for Estonian businesses. The criteria included the existence of capable and development-oriented businesses, world-class science and the high growth potential of added value in the future.

Source: Metrosert

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