In our flexible test and pilot facilities, such as Bioeconomy Arena, you can scale up processes from lab to demo scale under industrial conditions. Here, you share costs and infrastructure with other innovators and verify your technology before making a full-scale investment.
These are three of the great societal challenges of our time: how do we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, make ourselves more self-sufficient - and improve our long-term preparedness for major crises?
The solution to all three is the circular bioeconomy.
For decades, Sweden has built efficient, linear systems adapted to an open global world. Now that we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for climate reasons, we also need to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on the global value chains we have helped to build. At the same time, we need to improve our long-term preparedness in the face of a sharply deteriorating security situation.
"Starting with preparedness, the short-term solution is to simply try to store the oil and gas we think we need. But this is not a long-term sustainable solution and would probably be prohibitively expensive. And it offers no solution to the other two crises," says Gustav Rogstrand, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Technology at RISE.
"So is there a way to increase long-term preparedness, while at the same time making us more independent and contributing to a positive climate footprint?
The solution is actually all around us – in our forests, in our fields and in our waters.
"For example, only about half of the carbon in the biomass we extract from forests today is converted into finished products. There is a huge potential in by-products and residual streams that we could use much better to reduce our dependency on others and get more out of the resources available here, locally. There is also great potential in residual streams from agriculture and the food industry," says Johanna Mossberg, Head of the Bioeconomy Arena at RISE.
This is about making better use of our existing resources, perhaps even several times over, working towards a circular bioeconomy.
"In fact, it encompasses all sorts of different bio-based by-products and residues. Fish waste, sawdust, bark, textile waste, grass, agricultural residues... Different raw materials that we can use different processes to turn into something useful. It can be food, feed, fuel, chemicals... the potential is huge," says Johanna Mossberg.
We are talking about significant numbers.
"In theory, we could replace up to 70% of imported fossil energy through better, smarter and more sustainable use of domestic bio-resources," says Gustav Rogstrand.
By finding ways to replace the fossil carbon atoms we currently import and, in the best case, reusing them several times in recycled or remanufactured products, we can gradually make ourselves less dependent on the outside world, more resilient in times of crisis or unrest, and contribute to a positive climate balance. So why haven't we started?
"Because it is more complex and in some cases more expensive in the short term, because it means that different actors have to work on joint solutions rather than individually", says Gustav Rogstrand.
Finding uses for residual streams from existing industries can generate new revenues
But this way of thinking - looking for more efficient ways to use existing resources - is not really new.
"One example is how the former paper mill Domsjö Fabriker in Örnsköldsvik, during the Second World War, used the same chemical cooking process to produce more products, such as methanol, ethanol, vanillin. The potential exists to do the same based on biomass today, even though in peacetime we prioritised efficiency in the production of individual products," says Johanna Mossberg.
So does this mean that working according to a circular bioeconomy is always positive for the competitiveness of individual companies?
"If we find uses for residual streams from existing industries, they can generate new revenues, making them stronger and more resilient," says Johanna Mossberg.
"At the same time, a transition can mean a short-term cost increase for individual industries. That's why it's important that society as a whole is there to provide support where needed. "It can pay off even in peacetime; it can generate new export flows and knowledge," adds Gustav Rogstrand.
RISE test and demonstration facilities around the country are already being used to test various types of new processes and products, for companies in the start-up phase, those who do not want to disrupt regular operations in their own facilities or simply for those who want to develop something new quickly and with fewer resources than building up both equipment and expertise themselves.
"We have equipment as well as expertise in virtually all industries and, in addition, this opportunity to connect different industries and actors to find collaborations that benefit the whole," says Johanna Mossberg.
"Take the forestry and chemical industries, for example. Here there is already some co-operation between a few large players. The agricultural sector is completely different, with 40,000 small farmers, often one-man or few-man companies. Finding partnerships with the chemical industry to capitalise on residual streams requires completely different support," says Rogstrand.
This shift is not easy, but there are already good examples of what it could look like - such as Agroetanol in Norrköping, Energifabriken in Linköping and Alviksgården outside Piteå.
"Compared to other countries, Sweden has an enormous amount of biomass. But just as importantly, we have pluralism in the form of lots of different industries. It gives us a fairly diversified culture where many different tracks can develop simultaneously. This, pluralism, provides a robustness that is important to achieve strengthened preparedness," says Johanna Mossberg.
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Adobe Stock
The food industry is undergoing a revolutionary change, where sustainability and innovation are more important than ever. Functional fermentation has emerged as a key technology for developing the next generation of foods - from novel proteins grown with microorganisms to refined plant-based products with better flavour and nutritional content. But the step from a promising idea to a market-ready product is challenging without the right support.
Developing fermented foods with functional properties requires specialised expertise, resources and rigorous testing. Without access to the right laboratories, pilot plants or the expertise needed to address everything from microbiological safety to sensory quality and regulatory requirements, promising projects risk being more expensive, taking longer or not reaching the market at all. Moreover, in an uncertain world, where global supply chains are under pressure, the demand for robust, localised and circular food systems is increasing. New fermentation-based solutions could therefore be crucial to secure the food supply of the future.
Optimised traditional fermentation or modern precision fermentation also opens up new business opportunities in the food and chemical industries, for example:
RISE offers the scientific weight and practical experience required to realise ideas in functional fermentation - from early concept phase to full-scale production. As a neutral player, our focus is on offering cutting-edge expertise throughout the development process.
RISE offers expert support in microbiology, biochemistry, process technology, nutrition, product design and sensory science to develop and optimise fermentation processes. Whether the goal is new proteins, better flavour in plant-based products or longer shelf life, we can contribute throughout the development chain. We also work on strain development, including screening and evolution, to find or improve microorganisms with the right properties for your application. From lab to pilot production, we ensure that processes comply with applicable regulations - for a smoother route to market.
RISE offers support throughout the value chain for fermented products. Examples of our services include:
All services are integrated into a coherent offer where we adapt to your specific needs. Whether you are in the early stages of research or ready to scale up an established process, we can step in where needed and contribute to the next step.
Would you like to know more about how functional fermentation can strengthen your business? Contact us to discuss your needs and ideas. Our team of experts will help you go from idea to sustainable, market-ready product - with a focus on your business benefits.
Would you like to discuss the possibilities with fermentation with our experts? Contact us through this form.
Hantering av personuppgifter: /en/about-rise/operations/mission-governance/policy-documents/privacy-policy
Biotechnology offers solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time - from curing diseases and securing food supply to fighting climate change and preserving our environment. RISE offers cutting-edge expertise in industrial biotechnology to accelerate innovation and commercialisation of new solutions.
Our offer covers the entire value chain - from design of advanced microorganisms to development and scale-up of robust bioprocesses in food-grade environments - to transform renewable raw materials into high-value products in an efficient and sustainable way.
Using the latest technologies in synthetic biology, high throughput screening and adaptive laboratory evolution, we design and optimise microorganisms tailored to your specific production needs. Our strain development offering includes:
With our methodology, technical and regulatory barriers can be overcome and new opportunities opened up for bio-based chemicals, enzymes, food ingredients and more.
We offer process development from lab-scale optimisation to pilot production with a focus on efficient scale-up. Our services include:
By working closely with RISE’s multidisciplinary team, we mitigate scale-up risks, optimise yields and reduce time to market for sustainable food ingredients, feed, biofuels, biochemicals and more.
By combining cutting-edge strain engineering with comprehensive process development and scale-up, RISE supports your journey from concept to commercial success. Contact us to discuss how our expert team can help transform your idea into a sustainable, market-ready product – with your business goals at the centre.
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AI
The tyres on our cars and the ink in our office printers contain carbon black, a chemical manufactured with a significant climate impact. Researchers at RISE were the first in the world to develop a special method of producing black carbon powder that is more environmentally friendly.
Carbon black is one of the world's most common chemicals. It is used in the production of rubber, plastics, paint and electronics to increase durability and improve conductivity.
Carbon black is a fine powder formed during the incomplete combustion of organic materials, typically oil or natural gas. The annual production of carbon black exceeds 10 million tonnes, resulting in carbon dioxide emissions of between 30 and 80 million tonnes. Finding a sustainable alternative to produce carbon black would greatly help with the green transition. Carbon black is a product that is 99 per cent carbon atoms.
”This means that, when creating renewable carbon black, we still need to start with a carbon source, but we must move away from fossil raw materials. It is not possible to replace the carbon source with electricity alone, as we do when using wind, water and solar energy to replace fossil fuels in the transport sector," explains Jonas Wennebro, a research engineer at RISE in Piteå.
The operating conditions for producing carbon black are very specific. For example, it is difficult to start with a solid material such as sawdust.
"Oil works better. In addition, oil is used in most larger production facilities today, so converting production by replacing fossil oil with biogenic oil is easier,” says Jonas Wennebro.
RISE was the first organisation in the world to produce carbon black from pyrolysis oil derived from waste products from the forestry industry. Pyrolysis is a chemical process in which organic material is broken down by heat in an oxygen-free environment created by a closed reactor. The material in the reactor does not burn, but instead breaks down into gas, liquid and solid carbon. The resulting liquid is known as biogenic pyrolysis oil and can be refined into carbon black.
”This oil differs significantly in its properties from fossil oil, so we conducted basic studies funded by Formas to look at different ways of treating it to make it more suitable as a carbon black raw material. By changing the operating temperatures and retention times in the processes, it is possible to obtain different qualities,” explains Jonas Wennebro.
The researchers began with small-scale trials before scaling up the work in 2022. The existing test and demonstration facility in Piteå was expanded to increase production capacity from grams to kilograms per hour.
”This pilot is designed to mimic a commercial process for manufacturing carbon black. The increase in capacity is necessary for testing different rubber compounds to assess wear resistance, for example. This cannot be achieved by analysing a gram of carbon black under a microscope,” says Jonas Wennebro.
There is considerable interest from industry in bio-based carbon black derived from forest raw materials. This is clearly preferable from a climate perspective to using fossil raw materials.
The research team is in dialogue with rubber manufacturers and global carbon black suppliers who are interested in the progress being made at RISE in this area. In turn, the business community can contribute industry-specific knowledge about carbon black.
"There is considerable interest from industry, and suppliers are demanding bio-based carbon black made from forest raw materials, which is obviously better for the climate than using fossil fuels. At the same time, however, the forest is needed for other products. We are therefore trying to develop the most efficient and economical method of producing carbon black, converting as many of the carbon atoms from the forest raw material as possible into carbon black."
There are also potential sustainability gains in the production process itself:
”It's about how we generate the heat required in the reactor. Currently, industry mainly uses natural gas for this, whereas we are working with electric heating. In our larger pilot, we aim to use a plasma burner instead of a natural gas burner. This is based on supplying electrical energy only from sources such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power and water power. This further reduces the climate footprint. This could also be seen as a way of binding some of the carbon added to the product, making it a kind of carbon sink. We have come a long way, and now it's a matter of demonstrating that our process works on an industrial scale,” says Jonas Wennebro.
It is a black powder made of carbon that is used in car tyres, plastics, paint and other things. It is produced on an industrial scale by burning oil or gas in an environment that is depleted of oxygen. It makes materials stronger and more durable, and sometimes electrically conductive. However, as its production releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, work is now underway to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Does start-up Reselo have the answer to fossil-free rubber? The company's material is already used for shoe soles – and together with a manufacturer it is now being adapted for tyre production, which accounts for 70% of the world's rubber consumption.
"The material is made entirely from birch bark and can be incorporated into existing production processes," says Josefin Larsson, CPO at Reselo.
Rubber is everywhere – in car tyres, shoes, electronics and medical devices. But today's rubber, both natural and synthetic, faces major climate challenges. Deforestation, fossil fuel dependency and microplastic emissions make the need for sustainable alternatives urgent.
That's where Swedish start-up Reselo comes in. They have developed a fossil-free rubber based on birch bark – a previously under-utilised forestry by-product that can now be given a new and long life in a wide range of products.
The material is vulcanisable, meaning it can be used in everything from car tyres to shoe soles to automotive components, and is compatible with all common rubber polymers for compounding.
It all started in 2018 at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where Thomas Baumgarten, originally from Germany, was researching the valorisation of birch bark. He developed a process to produce the new biomaterial, which is now known as Reselo Rubber.
Reselo was founded in December 2020, after Thomas Baumgarten met Josefin Larsson and Henrik Otendal during the Startup Climate Action Challenge.
"It quickly became clear that the material could be of great use in replacing a largely fossil-based rubber production, and therefore the step into industry and the startup world was obvious," says Josefin Larsson.
Since then, things have moved fast. Today, Reselo has ongoing and future collaborations with partners in various industries, from forestry to fashion.
"We have shown that the market is ready for a new rubber material and that the process is commercially viable on a large scale. Right now, we're focusing on shoes and soles – both consumers and brands are demanding solutions that are truly sustainable, and change is happening fast," says Josefin Larsson.
There is already a prototype sole in the handmade shoes from Skråmträsk, which are produced on a small scale in Västerbotten. Reselo hopes that soles made from its material will soon be found in the products of larger shoe companies.
But it is in the automotive industry that the material could make the biggest difference.
Reselo has signed a development agreement with Finnish tyre giant Nokian Tyres, which aims to use 50% renewable or recycled raw materials in its tyres by 2030. Together with Nokian Tyres, the company is now further developing the material to adapt it for tyre production.
"In the long term, this is where we can have the greatest positive impact, as 70% of the world's rubber is now used in tyres," says Josefin Larsson.
RISE was instrumental in the early stages of demonstrating the technical feasibility of our process.
But there have been challenges along the way – not least in terms of resources such as analytical equipment and development tools.
This is where RISE has played an important role.
"RISE was crucial in the early stages to demonstrate the technical feasibility of our process. Third-party verification has been very valuable, as it directly creates confidence among the various stakeholders," says Thomas Baumgarten, CTO at Reselo.
"This in turn has made it easier to secure public and private funding and to initiate partnerships with industry. In addition, RISE has produced the first kilos of our new material, enabling us to carry out market testing and start our product development.
RISE has also helped Reselo assess the commercial potential of the process through a techno-economic analysis.
"RISE's equipment and ability to perform development scale experiments, combined with their expertise, has been extremely valuable to us. This is the first step towards a marketable product, and without such a partner at an early stage we would not have been able to take the big steps we have already taken," says Josefin Larsson.
For RISE, Reselo is a dream case.
"Reselo is a very interesting customer for RISE – a new technology with the potential to really change the world. This is the kind of collaboration we value, where it's not just about a customer relationship, but about supporting an innovation that can have a big impact," says Jonna Almqvist, Project Manager at RISE.
Vulcanisation is a chemical process that improves the mechanical properties of a material, such as elasticity and strength. It involves adding a hardener and then subjecting the material to heat and pressure, making it more durable and less sensitive to temperature changes.
It has enabled natural and synthetic fossil-based rubbers to be used in a wide range of products, from shoe soles to industrial seals and car tyres.
PHARMECO aims to drive a green transition in the manufacture of medicine and reduce the environmental impact of (bio)pharmaceutical manufacturing routes.
The pharma sector has a significant impact on the environment; in terms of CO2 emissions, use of water, energy, solvents and fossil-based raw materials, as well as generation of a lot of waste.
By implementing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies across different manufacturing stages, the project strategically targets critical environmental concerns like the reduction/elimination of solvents and substitution of toxic chemicals and reagents, while advancing resource efficiency, operational sustainability, and eco-friendly production methodologies.
PHARMECO will also harmonise the way sustainability assessments of pharmaceuticals are carried out, by delivering guidelines that are scientifically-robust, practical, and accepted by all stakeholders.
PHARMECO will address the production of small molecules, tides, and biologics, medical devices & technologies, with a key focus on: Safe and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) platforms for early-stage pharmaceutical development. Green processes for industrial-scale manufacturing and decontamination. Advanced digital tools for sustainability assessment and decision-making.
Together, the project outputs will form a comprehensive toolkit to support the development and manufacture of more sustainable pharmaceuticals and to evaluate their environmental impact along the whole life cycle.
This project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101165889. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and COCIR, EFPIA, Europa Bío, MedTech Europe, and Vaccines Europe.
Disclaimer : Funded by the European Union and the private members of the IHI JU. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the aforementioned parties. Neither of the aforementioned parties can be held responsible for them.
Project end date:
Drug development
Sekundär områdes navigation:
Photo:
Jonas Forsberg
The plastics in our children's toys, the synthetic fibres in our clothes and the ingredients in the salve we use to lubricate our hands. The common denominator? The products contain chemicals of fossil origin that need to be phased out. Green chemicals is the key.
It is not only fossil petrol and diesel that need to be phased out to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although the impact is less than the direct burning of fossil fuels, it is a fact that the production and use of fossil products and materials contribute to climate change.
But how do we get rid of fossil-based chemical products? Making better use of waste streams from forestry, agriculture and the pulp and paper industry is part of the answer. For example, bark and sawdust can be converted into bio-based plastics using new conversion technologies.
"In Sweden, we have examples of companies producing different types of chemicals from renewable raw materials, which are used for renewable fuels and functional chemicals in construction and other industries. But overall, fossil alternatives still dominate when it comes to chemicals and materials," says David Blomberg Saitton, Business developer at RISE.
Developing chemicals and chemical materials in a traditional way, from fossil feedstocks, can often be cheaper in the short term. Today, only a few have the right technical prerequisites, which creates barriers to scaling up new, green processes. What is needed for Swedish companies involved in chemical processes to make the transition to green chemicals is for researchers, politicians and other societal actors to help lower the thresholds.
"I think it's very clear that we have a shared responsibility to drive the transition to green chemicals. RISE has the resources and technology to accelerate the transition to a bioeconomy. It is clear that it will be costly, but there are also business opportunities associated with the transition," says David Blomberg Saitton:
"It's worth remembering that the processes for extracting chemical products from fossil raw materials have been refined for over 100 years, so it's not surprising that bio-based processes are not yet as efficient. But in a few decades, development will have progressed further and costs will have been reduced."
I think it's very clear that we have a shared responsibility to drive the transition to green chemicals. RISE has the resources and technology to accelerate the transition to a bioeconomy. It is clear that it will be costly, but there are also business opportunities associated with the transition.
Incentives from policy makers will also be important to enable a full transition to green chemistry. One piece of the jigsaw is a clearer plan for how to recycle materials brought to market and how to achieve more efficient carbon cycles, both fossil and bio-based. It will also be important to optimise energy use in new production processes for green chemicals.
"Whether we are talking about biochemicals, biofuels or bio-based plastics, there is a certain amount of energy involved. In order to produce something in an economically sustainable way, we need access to green energy," says David Blomberg Saitton.
The Bioeconomy Arena brings together RISE's expertise and infrastructure for the development of the bioeconomy. A range of scale-up and test facilities are available to develop processes and optimize conditions. In Örnsköldsvik, for example, there is a robot that can evaluate and select micro-organisms so that only the best go on to process development and scale-up. Companies can come here to develop their bio-based processes.
"I'm looking out of my office where it is 6 degrees and raining outside. It is supposed to be colder and snowing in January. That at least gives me the feeling that there is a time aspect here. We can't put things off, we have to work on the transition now," says David Blomberg Saitton.
Bio-based chemistry is the use of renewable raw materials, such as biomass from forestry, agriculture or industrial residues, to produce chemicals, materials and fuels. Examples of raw materials include lignin, cellulose, starch and vegetable oils. The aim is to reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and create sustainable products with a lower climate impact.
In a complex world with major challenges, the importance of a powerful research institute becomes apparent. In 2024, RISE will achieve a strong result that will enable continued investments in cutting-edge expertise and technology infrastructure that are important for Sweden's and Europe's competitiveness.
2024 is a milestone in the history of RISE. Since the formation of the merged research institute, major steps have been taken in areas such as brand awareness, customer satisfaction and cross-disciplinary collaborations. For the first time, RISE is now also delivering on the 3 per cent financial target!
Our work on operational excellence and transformation has been necessary to meet tomorrow's demands on a research institute. Because the need for RISE has never been greater. This was made clear not least by the Research and Innovation Bill, which specifically identifies RISE as an engine for renewal and an enabler for developing new expertise in strategically important areas for Sweden.
Our activities must therefore be constantly developed to remain relevant. The transition has, however, entailed costs that weigh on the year's reported results.
According to the Draghi report presented during the year, the importance of research and technology infrastructures for a successful Europe is emphasised. This is also clearly stated in the Research and Innovation Bill. RISE portfolio of world-unique technology infrastructures is broad and constantly evolving according to the needs of the world.
In October, we inaugurated our new biorefinery pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik, which, together with modernised facilities in other locations, provides an arena for companies wishing to realise bio-based innovations for the green transition. An opportunity for both international industry and start-up tech companies, while the new infrastructure creates the conditions for major research projects of importance to the whole of Europe.
In December, our battery safety lab and AstaZero facilities were TISAX-certified. This certification ensures that RISE can handle sensitive information and prototypes with high security. Both facilities are developed in close co-operation with RISE customers to meet the specific needs of the automotive industry including prototype protection and secure information handling.
A transition to fossil-free energy in agriculture and food is also important for the transition. We are therefore proud to be entrusted with leading the new AgroDrive centre, which aims to achieve a largely fossil-free Swedish food chain by 2030 and completely fossil-free by 2050.
Among the most innovative solutions for reducing fossil dependence is wind-powered shipping. In December, advanced tests were carried out, marking an important milestone in the development of wind-powered merchant ships.
A success factor for RISE and for the development of new technologies is the strategic partnerships we have with companies and universities in pioneering areas. During the year, we have signed cooperation agreements with, among others, Telia on 5G and the development of digital infrastructure, and University College London on neuroarchitecture and neurodesign. A developed collaboration with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Technology strengthens our position in semiconductor research and the maritime field.
In the fourth quarter, our partnerships were expanded with a new co-operation agreement in innovation management with Japan Innovation Network and a Memorandum of Understanding for strategic partnership with Nykvarn Municipality. In December, it was also finalised that Linköping University and RISE will jointly be responsible for one of Europe's seven AI factories.
As we summarise the fourth quarter, we cannot fail to mention two gratifying events in the world around us that clarify RISE's mission to promote sustainable growth in Sweden.
One is IVA's annual 100 list of research projects considered to have great potential to benefit society. This list includes RISE research in neuroarchitecture, circular business models and concrete manufacturing. Equally interesting is Ny Teknik's 33 list 2024 of Sweden's best start-ups. The list includes several companies that collaborate with RISE. We share their joy and are proud of our contribution to their success.
Our success would not be possible without close collaboration and deep commitment from customers, partners and employees. It is thanks to you that we can fulfil our role as an innovator in business and society. Thank you very much for your co-operation during the year!
