Scion has signed a research agreement with a Finnish company. Photo/File
Scion has signed a research agreement with a Finnish company. Photo/File
Scion has signed a research collaboration agreement with Finnish technology developer VTT Technical Research Centre.
The signing of the Umbrella Research Collaboration Agreement took place at a business innovation forum in Auckland last week and was attended by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Finland and Estonia and the New ZealandBusiness, Innovation and Employment Minister, the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Trade Minister along with business representatives from all countries.
Scion Chief Executive Officer Warren Parker said the agreement gives New Zealand better access to global opportunities in the bioeconomy.
"This agreement sets a clear path for us to focus on co-invention and commercialisation of technologies that will contribute to increased use of climate friendly, lightweight, high performance materials made from forest biomass," he said.
"We have complementary science and technology capabilities and a good history of joint work. Under this agreement, we will also jointly target EU funding and approach global opportunities in the bioeconomy, particularly in Asia."
Dr Parker said that Scion and VTT were collaborating on exciting research at the leading edge end of global trends, such as novel carbon materials, nanocellulose applications, biorefineries and pulp, paper and packaging - areas of huge interest to high - value manufacturers.
The first project conducted under the agreement will adapt VTT technology for hardwood trees and apply it to New Zealand radiata to develop a new biobased film for the packaging industry.
VTT CEO Dr Antti Vasara said they were happy to have Scion as their partnering organisation in New Zealand
