CORDIS Archive

Spotlight

These following examples show, how local actors and politicians want to develop business life in the area by establishing different development facilities.

The mission statement of the Centre of Expertise is to develop energy technology applications. The objectives are:

• to create know-how cluster at the cutting-edge of energy technology applications and their manufacture, nationally and internationally
• to develop environmentally sound production and new environmentally sound products, and to create jobs and companies in the region
• to improve the competitiveness of companies in the field by enhancing research and product development and by developing operative networks.

The Western Finland Centre of Expertise has launched five development programmes made up of various projects. Work is based on existing and potential high-tech know-how in energy technology in the region. Participants include universities, polytechnics, companies, technology centres, regional councils and municipalities.

The Bothnia EU Energy Network is a project co-financed by the European Commission (DG XVII) in the framework of the SAVE (Peru) programme. Its objective is to support actions at regional and local levels in the field of rational use of energy and renewable energy sources. The network involves the establishment and management of two allied regional energy agencies in two Scandinavian regions. These agencies are Västerbotten Energy Network in Västerbotten (Sweden) and The Ostrobothnia Regional Energy Agency in Ostrobothnia.

The Research Centre is a massive joint project, involving the Ministry of Education, the city of Vaasa, the University of Vaasa, the Vaasa Polytechnic and the Swedish Polytechnic. This unique joint effort guarantees a comprehensive and varied laboratory complex. It lays the foundation for innovative forms of co-operation which promise substantial benefits also for trade and industry.

BIC Botnia is an EU Business and Innovation Centre acting in Ostrobothnia. BIC Botnia is a part of the European Business and Innovation Centre Network and it is approved by European Commission (DGXVI). BIC Botnia is an expert organisation supporting innovative development projects.

Based on a technical and economic evaluations of the potential projects BIC Botnia selects the business ideas which are most suitable for further development. A comprehensive business plan will be compiled for the project together with its leader, after which it will implemented co-operatively. The service package offered by BIC Botnia will be tailor-made for each individual project. BIC Botnia operates in Vaasa, Kokkola and Seinäjoki in co-operation with technology development centres Merinova, KETEK and SeiTek.

The following examples show how Polytechnics co-operate with companies in order to help them in R&D.

This EUREKA project’s aim is to make companies in this field to be more competitive by bringing new, innovative robots into mechanical wood processing industry. It also tries to encourage companies to co-operate with research centres and foreign partners.

In order to achieve the goals, all the companies and research centres participating this project, will make a network which aims into intensifying productivity. Services provided by the project are among others:

• planning of the robotic cells
• programming
• lay-outs
• tests for robots
• training. etc.

The co-ordinator of the project is SeiTek, Seinäjoki Polytechnic Technology and Business Centre. Other participating research centres are Lahti Polytechnic, Teuva Adult Education Centre TEAK, University of Linköping and The Swiss School of Engineering for the Timber Industry (SISH). There are also 15 companies participating this project. They produce for example windows, doors and furniture.

The project will be divided into smaller projects, which will be carried out in different companies. These company projects concentrate for example in grinding, sanding, assembly, piece handling and surface treatment. More information from Develoment Engineer Veli-Jukka Uitto.

Together with a customer KETEK has developed an aeroboat which is very useful in Nordic archipelago during bad weather conditions. More information and pictures of this Arctic Ant.