Swedish industry can make a difference to the global climate footprint

Why is Vinnova investing in the area of sustainable industry - what do we want to achieve?

The industry is very important for the Swedish economy and employment and it must constantly work to strengthen its competitiveness. Development and adjustment must also take place in a sustainable way. Swedish industry is in the forefront in many ways, and since we have large industrial companies operating in a global market, solutions developed here can affect the global climate footprint. From Vinnova's side, we want to contribute to this development and contribute to a system change towards a sustainable industry that is important for both Sweden and the rest of the world.

What is most important for the change and how can Vinnova make a difference?

The most important thing is to accelerate the transition, it is necessary if we are to have a chance to achieve the climate goals. Swedish industry has a strong commitment to switch to being circular, sustainable and climate neutral, but at the same time there are many promising innovations for a green transition that has not reached all the way to implementation and use on a large scale. As an independent player, Vinnova can challenge and accelerate development by mobilizing towards common objective and funding research and innovation.

What are Vinnova's efforts aimed at in sustainable industry?

It varies between different initiatives, but basically to everyone who is in the ecosystem that is important for the change, such as researchers, small and medium-sized companies and large industrial companies. We also conduct continuous dialogues with other research funders, authorities, industry organizations and trade unions to understand the needs in the short and long term.

Can you name some examples of the efforts that Vinnova makes?

One example is the strategic innovation programs, which are a major effort on collaboration in research and innovation in areas that are important to Sweden. We also make efforts to scale up solutions that have the potential to contribute to a climate-neutral and sustainable industry. Another important part is about international connection, where we have, for example, an effort to increase the competitiveness of Swedish players in Horisont Europa, which is the EU's programme for research and innovation. There is also a great need for strategic research in new technology areas that are relevant to Swedish industry, and here we are planning for more long-term collaborative initiatives for knowledge building.

Which areas are particularly important for the industry right now?

Some examples are developments in battery technology and hydrogen for sustainable energy supply and the transition to resource-efficient and circular flows of materials such as metals, textiles and plastics. To succeed, continued digitalisation important and not least the supply of skills. These are key issues that we work with together with others.

Vinnova has launched a campaign site for sustainable industry. What is the purpose of it?

We want to help create an understanding of the possibilities of climate change in society as a whole, where industry plays a crucial role. We also want to make it clear that Swedish industry is represented throughout the value chain and can develop sustainable solutions that can be exported for global benefit. I Sverige has a tradition of collaboration that is unique and we want others to be able to use the campaign site to show that there is good potential to collaborate with the industry.