Initiatives for sustainable expansion in Norrbotten and Västerbotten

Through, among other things, the strategic innovation programs, Vinnova contributes to major investments in the north in, for example, the mining and steel industry, electrification, digitalisation and the sustainable construction industry.

In the graph below, you can see some examples of parallel investments where the strategic innovation programs have contributed to the establishment of, among other things, green industry in the north.

The picture shows examples of how Vinnova has contributed to the development over time.

Below we list a selection of Vinnova's initiatives in Norrbotten and Västerbotten.
   

Collaboration hub for public actors

During the autumn of 2022, a preliminary study will be carried out on new collaboration models for public actors. The preliminary study will provide increased knowledge about how public actors can strengthen the conditions for societal transformation and the establishment of green industry that is currently taking place in North and Västerbotten.

Feasibility study establishment of Samverkanhubb in northern Sweden | Vinnova

Competence development and individual mobility

In various initiatives for mobility and skills development, we work to ensure that individuals with different skills can move between regions and thereby increase the exchange of knowledge in industries with great skills needs:

Individual mobility and increased attraction value for research-based competence

Rule and policy development

We work on the basis of a government assignment to support the county administrative boards in rule and policy development. The work aims to reduce environmental and climate impact through developed environmental permit processes and thereby accelerate business climate change. The County Administrative Board in Västerbotten County is coordinating.

On November 30, Vinnova held a breakfast meeting together with Komet on rule development linked to climate challenges with, among others, the governor of Västerbotten County:

Will the rule development keep up with the climate challenges?

Digitalisation and technology development in collaboration

In recent years, Vinnova has invested approximately SEK 230 million per year to parties in Norrbotten and Västerbotten to promote, among other things, sustainable built environments and development in the business sector.

The portfolio includes a breadth of large and small companies with activities in, for example, advanced technology, mining and mineral issues and research and innovation in the use of wood. We also support the incubators Bizmaker, Uminova and Arctic Business Incubator.

Examples of ongoing project that we financed in recent years

• 2021-03758 FRAMTIDSGATAN | Vinnova
• 2020-04096 FraViVo - Framtidens Välfärdsteknik with Internet of Things | Vinnova
• 2021-01017 New batteries from recycled materials | Vinnova
• 2020-04485 Green calcination | Vinnova
• 2021-03188 European manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (ELION) | Vinnova
• 2021-03149 Green Contacts | Vinnova
• 2019-00064 Center for Swedish Batteries - an alliance for ultra-high functionality (BASE) | Vinnova
• 2021-01890 Trolly Truck System for fossil free underground mining | Vinnova
• 2021-03663 5G Edge Innovations for Mining | Vinnova
• 2021-04322 SMF 2D Tech: Gas permeability improvement for Type IV and III pressure vessels | Vinnova
• 2021-03299 E! 115685, DECOrGO, Graphmatech AB | Vinnova

Currently underway also calls for potential strategic project in the hydrogen field.

Sustainable built environments

Vinnova has ongoing dialogues with several leading parties in the region. Examples of initiatives and collaborations for attractive living environments are

VISIONS: in the north - ArkDes - Sweden's national center for architecture and design

23 Swedish cities are collaborating to speed up climate change - Viable Cities

Vinnova's area for community building

Through several different project, we have over the years contributed to advanced construction methods with wood, which is now noticeable in the form of Skellefteå culture house, which is referred to as the world's tallest wooden building.

Support for companies in the early stages of development

Vinnova has played an active role in the development since the early stages. Of particular importance is the fact that we granted early funding to Northvolt and long-term funding to Graphmatech, which develops advanced materials that are central to Northvolt's circular batteries.

Northvolt

In 2016, Vinnova financed Northvolt for the first time with the aim of starting a large-scale battery factory. The financing was NOK 10 million

FACTORY AND PROCESS DESIGN FOR LARGE SCALE BATTERY MANUFACTURING | Vinnova

Since then, we have contributed funding to a number of project where we have been a party: Northvolt in Vinnova's project database

Currently, we fund three ongoing project with North Volt as a party. They are about new batteries from recycled materials, green calcination and participation in the competence center for Swedish batteries (BASE).

Graphmatech

The company Graphmatech develops advanced materials that are crucial for Northvolt's battery production. Vinnova financed the first project with the company in 2017. Funding has continued with a total of 14 project with a strong focus on collaboration for advanced development. Several project are active and decided in 2021:

Graphmatech in Vinnova's portfolio

Graphmatech is now a key player in Northvolt's circular batteries:

Revolt | Northvolt

Comprehensive partnership programmes in relevant areas

Vinnova runs several partnership programmes that strengthen development in relevant development areas. Within the framework of the investments, Vinnova mobilizes actors and finances project.

• Competence center with a total budget of SEK 34 million: Center for Swedish batteries - an alliance for ultra-high functionality (BASE) | Vinnova
• Strategic innovation program Grafen
• Strategic innovation program Metallic materials
• Strategic innovation program PiiA - Processindustriell IT and Automation

Programme and initiatives in mining and material extraction

Strategic Innovation Program: Swedish Mining Innovation - Innovation program for mining and metal producing industry

A list of ongoing project with reference to the registration number of Vinnova are here: Projects - Swedish Mining Innovation

PIMM - pilot industrial mobile communication in mines with funding of several project: PIMM in Vinnova's portfolio