Towards a Sustainable Future

Kaj Portin has a Master of Science degree from Helsinki University of Technology.  Kaj has been working within different development and managerial positions in R&D in Wärtsilä since 1993. Since 2000, he has been working with new development of gas engines and alternative fuels. He is currently working as General Manager, Sustainable Fuels & Decarbonisation heading the new technology development related to gas engines, alternative fuels, and flexible engine operation. Kaj is passionate to show that the internal combustion engine provides an excellent platform for sustainable shipping and power generation.

Ilona is VP Business Development at Veolia Nordics, where she focuses on strategic initiatives in industrial water and energy solutions and circular economy initiatives that transform waste to value, such as biomethane and biomethanol production. She sees partnerships and market intelligence as key enablers for sustainable business development, excelling at identifying opportunities that maximize business value for customer while combating climate change. She has educational background in chemical engineering in Aalto University. Ilona brings valuable insights into how industrial water and utilities can enable sustainable industrial growth in the Nordic region.

I have been navigating over 30 years in the world of metals and heavy industry – from leading large production teams to steering billion-euro businesses. Today I head Boliden Kokkola as General Manager – feet steady in the present, but my thoughts reaching into the future. I am especially curious about how digitalization, AI, and robotics can reshape even the heaviest industries. While my work is serious, my style isn’t – I believe results come best when people work together with energy and a good spirit.

CEO of Kokkola Energy Group Kirsi Hautala, PhD. in Technology, is an experienced business leader with a great ability to bring new energy and enthusiasm to local as well as international energy co-operation. Her approach to energy matters goes hand in hand with common sense and deep understanding of the global energy market. She is a shining force that keep our local energy vibes high!

Mari Granström is the founder and Chief Executive Activist of Origin by Ocean, a company dedicated to transforming invasive algae such as sargassum into biobased and biodegradable chemicals to replace oil based products. With a background as an industrial chemist and environmentalist, Dr. Granström is on a mission to transform our approach to oceans and their ecosystems through a regenerative value chain that benefits both the environment and the economy.

Her journey began in the industrial chemical sector, where she gained insight into the challenges of implementing systemic change in large-scale operations of major corporations. Her unique blend of scientific knowledge and industrial business acumen has positioned her as a leading voice in the field of sustainable business models. Dr Granström’s work extends beyond business; she is an active advocate for global environmental policies, participating in initiatives such as the UN Global Compact and the EU Green Deal.

Jöran has extensive experience in operations and leadership serving more than 30 years in the cobalt refining and the cobalt and nickel specialty chemicals business. He was managing director for Umicore Finland as well as the predecessor companies Freeport Cobalt and OMG Kokkola Chemicals, operating in the Kokkola Industrial Park. Jöran holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Åbo Akademi.

Tuuli Hakala is passionate about sustainable food production systems – locally and globally. Currently her work in Valio’s Climate and Sustainable Business Team focuses on the following tasks: company-level greenhouse gas inventory and monitoring the progress of Valio’s climate program Carbon Neutral Milk Chain 2035, monitoring and updating the Science Based Targets emission reduction targets in accordance with the Paris Agreement, mapping and implementing emission reduction measures in peat fields, promoting regenerative farming and linking soil modeling to farm-level life cycle assessment.

Jesse is a leading figure in Finland’s electric vehicle repair industry. As entrepreneur behind Kokkolan Autohuolto Oy he has earned national recognition for his expertise in EV maintenance and diagnostics. He is also a well-known electric vehicle influencer on social media, where he shares valuable insights, tips, and developments from the world of EVs. Jesse’s passion and forward-thinking approach have made him a trusted voice in the transition to sustainable mobility.

Janne Jukkola, kansanedustaja (Kok) ja eduskunnan huoltovarmuusryhmän puheenjohtaja, avaa tilaisuuden puheenvuorolla turvetuotantoalueiden jatkokäyttömuotojen soveltuvuudesta. Puheessaan hän nostaa esiin aiheen merkityksen huoltovarmuuden ja aluekehityksen kannalta.

As Mayor of the City of Kokkola, Stina Mattila is responsible for the strategic management of the City Group. She manages, supervises and develops the city’s administration and economy under the City Board. Stina Mattila has led the City of Kokkola since 2016 and she has 20 years of experience from managing municipal administration.

Jonne Sandberg is the Development Director of the city of Kokkola, whose aim is to make Kokkola an even more attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit. Sandberg has been involved in numerous city development initiatives and projects and has cooperated with local companies, residents, and other stakeholders.

More than just a host, Sanna naturally steps into the role of the event’s chief conductor of atmosphere. She skilfully builds and guides the arc of the event with professionalism, bringing energy and raising spirits while creating a relaxed and welcoming vibe throughout.

Eero Leppänen works as a process engineer for a Finnish biogas plant manufacturer Demeca Oy. His areas of expertise include sustainability and environmental legislation, as well as chemistry and microbiology.

H.E. Wegger Chr. Strømmen took up the post as Norwegian Ambassador to Finland in September 2023. Before Helsinki, Mr Strømmen was Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2019-2023) and held the position of Secretary General in the Norwegian Foreign Ministry (2014-2019). He was also previously Political Director (2013-2014) and Ambassador to the United States of America (2007-2013). From 2005 to 2007 he was Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Genève. Ambassador Strømmen has also practised law, mainly in the energy and maritime field.

I am Ulla Lassi, professor of Applied Chemistry and Process chemistry, at the University of Oulu. I work here in Kokkola at the local Kokkola university consortium Chydenius and I am heading of research unit of over 80 researchers in the field of chemistry and chemical engineering. My research area covers battery materials, and related inorganic circular economy. I am responsible for Master of Science and doctoral education at the university in the field chemical engineering, and in close collaboration with local industry I have educated several new experts to the industry.

Timo Lötjönen is researcher in agricultural engineering and he is working at Luke Ruukki and Oulu. His special research areas are cultivation and harvest technologies of field crops, bioenergy and emissions from peat soils. Additionally, Timo is a practical farmer in Kestilä.

Mira Valkjärvi is a circular economy and sustainability enthusiast who is working at Centria University of Applied Sciences as a research, development and innovation specialist. She is completing her PhD on Circular Economy in companies at the University of Turku, School of Economics. While research and teaching are currently her passions, she has also experiences in entrepreneurship ranging from innovation, pitching to all the daily activities of a startup. Her biggest dream is so to spark positive change towards sustainability both in individuals and companies alike. The future is ours to shape towards a better and sustainable one.

Jouni Kaipainen, PhD (Econ.), Senior Researcher, works at the University of Jyväskylä, but can be found at the Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius. He has been part of Kokkola’s research teams since 1989.
He is interested in regional development and is currently working in two JTF projects that try to advance the sustainable use of peatlands. Before these JTF projects Kaipainen worked as a project manager in the Biovalley Finland project and in the H2020-DESIRA project, which studied the economic and social impacts of digitisation in rural areas.

Ilkka Leinonen works as a Research Professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and has earlier carried out research work at several high-quality research institutes in the UK, USA and the Netherlands. Prof. Leinonen has a long experience in applying and further developing systems modelling-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods for quantifying the environmental impacts and resource use of bio-based production chains. Professor Leinonen has a strong background in ecology and environmental sciences, and his work also includes development of process-based models for carbon cycles, as well as mechanistic models for energy balance and nutrient dynamics.

M.Sc. in Geology, University Teacher/Researcher at Process Metallurgy Research Unit, University of Oulu since 1998. Extensive experience and knowledge in R&D operations concerning metals and chemicals refining with pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes and in circular economy. Owner, CEO and Principal Investigator, Minscime Oy, since 2012, acting as R&D Advisor for several mining, metallurgy and circular economy companies.

Marja Knuuttila has a long experience in research associated with the regional economic impacts of production and the use of regional input output analysis. In analyses she utilizes both statistical data and data collected in various projects. Her research includes different parts of food system as well as natural resource-based livelihoods such as reindeer farming and salmon fishing. Her studies also include the import dependency of food production.

Liisa Maanavilja has a background in peatland ecology and currently works on projects focused on sustainable land use of former peat extraction sites and peatland restoration more generally. In this talk, she presents insights from two ongoing projects: ArvoHiili, co-funded by the European Union, which explores the potential of the carbon market at former peat extraction sites, and REPower-CEST – Clean Energy System Transition, funded by the European Union (NextGenerationEU), where her team investigates the possibilities of combining solar energy production with peatland rewetting.

I am a third-year student at the University of Vaasa, studying Industrial Engineering and Management. I am interested in operations management, process development and especially on how technology can be utilized to develop these areas into a sustainable future. My hometown is Kokkola, and I see a lot of opportunities to pursue my interests here.

Dr. Inês Peixoto is a faculty member in Industrial Management at the University of Vaasa School of Technology and Innovations. Her research focuses on industry transformations and understanding strategic, technology, and regulatory change that enables ambitious sustainability transitions.

After graduating with a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Oulu in spring 2025, I returned to my hometown Kokkola. I began my career at Hycamite as a thesis worker and continued working in the R&D team after graduation. As a Junior Scientist, I work on developing carbon materials for different applications. What really keeps me going is the sense of purpose I get from knowing my work plays a role in the transition towards a sustainable future.

Oona Allonen is a peatland scientist at Geological Survey of Finland. On TURKE project, she focuses on after use possibilities of peat extraction areas in Central Ostrobothnia.

Long experience in strategic development of port business in North European ports.

Kaisa Kaapo has served for one year as the Executive Director of the Kokkola Industrial Park Association. She has focused on developing the association’s operations, introducing new practices, and modernizing marketing and communications for the industrial area. Her work supports the visibility of the area and collaboration between stakeholders. With previous experience in expert and managerial roles at SOK and Finlayson, she brings valuable insight into strategic development and stakeholder engagement. At Kokkola Material Week, Kaisa Kaapo talks about current topics from the industrial area, its development, and cooperation between local stakeholders.

Hello. My name is Veli-Matti Isoaho and I come from Kokkola. I currently work as a construction manager in the city of Kokkola. I have extensive experience in construction and its processes. The main focus of my work is on continuous development together with my multi-skilled team.

I lead Fortum’s matrix teams driving industrial partnerships and commercial projects in clean aluminium and steel, data centers, sustainable fuels, and hydrogen. As a concrete example, I am heading Fortum’s commercial negotiations for the Arctial project — a feasibility study with Rio Tinto, Mitsubishi, Fortum, ABB, Siemens, Vargas Holding and Tesi, exploring low-carbon aluminium production in Kokkola and Kronoby. Before Fortum, I advised global clients on decarbonization, sustainable fuels and green investing at McKinsey & Company, and earlier worked at Sitra, where I focused on nature solutions and served on the Investment Management Team, which oversees a €1 billion endowment. I hold an M.Sc. in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics, and while in London, I was Partner and among the first employees at Affirmative Investment Management, the world’s first dedicated green and social bond fund manager. Outside of work, I enjoy running, tennis, ice hockey, trekking, and reading at our lakeside cabin.

Kaisa Hietala is an experienced business and sustainability executive who helps companies to transform the challenges of environmental megatrends into business opportunities and growth.
Ms. Hietala is an experienced leader in strategic transformation in the energy sector who began her career in upstream oil and gas exploration and crude oil trading. Ms. Hietala served as the EVP of Renewable Products at Neste, a petroleum refining and marketing company, for five years ending in 2019. During her tenure, the Renewable Products segment’s revenues grew by 1.6x and operating profits grew by 4x. She played a central role in the strategic transformation of Neste into the world’s largest and most profitable producer of renewable products, which was named by Harvard Business Review as one of the “Top 20 Business Transformations of the Last Decade” in 2019.
Currently, Ms. Hietala serves on the Boards of Exxon Mobil and Smurfit Westrock. She is the Founder and Chair of Greencode Ventures investing in digital green transition in Europe and serves as a member of the Supervisory Board of Oulu University

My name is Jakov Lubenets, and I work as an RDI Specialist in the Chemistry and Bioeconomy team at Centria University of Applied Sciences. My personal interests, and fortunately my work as well, center around the recycling and utilization of side streams for battery materials. Currently, we are focusing on the extraction and utilization of biomass-derived silica to develop better, more sustainable, and locally sourced anode materials.

Työskentelen Luken Biotalous ja ympäristö -yksikön Hiilen kierron hallinta -ryhmässä. Tällä hetkellä työni painottuu joutoalueiden metsitykseen ja turvetuotannosta vapautuneiden alueiden jatkokäyttöön. Niissä tärkeätä on määrittää menettelytavat, joilla alueiden hiilensidontaa lisätään ja haitallisia ympäristövaikutuksia vähennetään.

I am a third-year student in the high school Kokkolan suomalainen lukio. Languages and different cultures interest me. I like to do sports and drive around, studying isn’t that bad either 😀 Learning new things is exciting!

Hi, my name is Adanna Schadewitz and i’m excited to be your host. I’m studying at Karleby Svenska Gymnasium. I’m used to being on stage trough theatre and on my spare time i like going to the gym.

Hanna Leväniemi is the Head of Unit for the Mineral Economy Solutions unit at Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). The unit conducts research on the EU’s critical and strategic minerals, addressing both primary and secondary raw material sources. Hanna has previously worked at GTK for over two decades, focusing on mineral potential investigations. Her main areas of expertise are geophysical and petrophysical studies, which she has applied in various research and exploration projects.

Mr Beckton graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from Melbourne University and also a Masters of Economic Geology from the University of Tasmania. He is a professional geologist with over 30 years experience in exploration, project development, production and management in Australia and internationally.

Mr Beckton has been active with Bambra Oy in Finland since 2017.

Ville is a battery metals and materials expert whose work bridges industrialization, manufacturing, and the commercial realities of the global supply chain. With experience taking technologies and new chemistries from lab to gigafactory scale, he specializes in balancing quality, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in industrial production. His perspective combines deep technical expertise with business development insight, enabling strategies that work both in lab, factory and in the market.

Markku Tommiska is the CEO of the Finnish Gas Association, an experienced expert and influencer in the energy and gas sector.

Eeva Lähdesmäki holds degrees in both Economics and Engineering and works as a Project Manager at LUT University. She has a long background in global industry with leadership and executive team experience in development and management. At LUT, she leads projects and conducts research on hydrogen and Power-to-X, focusing on the systemic development of Finland’s hydrogen economy.

I am a senior research fellow at the university of Oulu. I have been working at Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius for 17 years. I have over 10 years experience of working with battery materials. My main core competence is related to the co-precipitation of cathode precursor materials for lithium and sodium ion batteries.

I am Maintenance Manager at Woikoski, responsible for the maintenance of all our production sites. My primary focus is improving site reliability and safety, and I oversee the planning and execution of scheduled maintenance shutdowns and turnarounds. In my presentation, I will focus on our hydrogen production plant, where hydrogen is produced using electrolyzer technology.

Jarmo Lilja has a background with process metallurgy and works at SSAB, Raahe Steel Works. His responsibility is management of SSAB’s external R&D in Finland and is also acting as a Group Key Expert in the area of iron and steelmaking. He has a 36-year experience in the company and the active topics include transformation process of SSAB’s Nordic steelmaking processes and initiating national R&D activities within fossil-free steelmaking.

Rafal Sliz is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Oulu and a Visiting Professor at Arizona State University, USA. His work focuses on printed electronics and sustainable fabrication methods, particularly for next-generation battery systems. He is engaged in advancing greener energy solutions through innovative materials and scalable manufacturing approaches.

Sipi graduated as a Doctor of Science (Technology) from Aalto University in 2020. He has a background in the research group of hydrometallurgy and corrosion lead by Professor Mari Lundström. Sipi has worked as a project manager in BATCircle2.0 and 3.0 since 2021.

Jukka Karhula leads Fineweld Oy, a project company based in Kokkola, Finland. Fineweld has redefined traditional plant construction through its semi-modular concept. Piping, steel structures, process equipment, instrumentation, and electrification are bundled into modular units that can be efficiently manufactured in a workshop and installed within a short timeframe. This approach saves both time and money.

I have been an authorized guide in Kokkola for 15 years. I have participated in various courses to develop my professional skills and expand my knowledge of history and contemporary topics of Kokkola. I have given lectures on the historical figures and events of Kokkola. I have participated in various plays describing the history of Kokkola playing different roles.

I have been an authoritzed guide in Kokkola for 25 years. I have participated in various courses to develop my professional skills and expand my knowledge of history and contemporary topics of Kokkola. I have given lectures on the historical figures and events of Kokkola. I have participated in various plays descriping the history of Kokkola playing different roles.

Kent Björklund is an experienced business leader with a strong background in international trade and maritime industries. He has guided numerous companies in expanding their reach to global markets and building sustainable growth strategies. In his talk “Powering Exports Through Networking”, Kent highlights how collaboration and connections can open new export channels for businesses. His practical insights are grounded in years of hands-on experience with export development.

Fabian is an R&D expert for Centria’s low carbon energy research group. He has been working for 14 years in technical engineering for renewable energy fields, such as biogas, solar thermal, thermal energy storage systems and smart grids. A recent work for Centria is focusing on electricity systems with electrical energy storage solutions.

Markku is heading Invest In for Cleantech industry at Business Finland, where he works to get international investment into Finland together with wide network of partners domestically and internationally.

His industry focus is clean energy production, hydrogen and efuel economy, battery value chain and large scale energy intense industries and related technologies.

Markku is deeply committed to climate change mitigation, actively driving businesses that accelerate the transition to low-carbon and circular economy solutions in sustainable manner.

Kuldeep Singh is a concept developer specializing in sustainable water treatment and industrial process design. He combines strong technical expertise with hands-on leadership in CAPEX/OPEX evaluation, commissioning, and risk management for large-scale projects. His doctoral research pioneered the use of Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis (BPED) to convert industrial wastewater into valuable chemicals, supporting circular economy goals.

I manage digital portfolio technology within Metso Market Area Europe and Central Asia, driving innovation and operational excellence projects with our customers. My base is the Metso office in Espoo, where I collaborate closely with teams shaping the future of industrial digitalization.
I hold a degree from Aalto University, which laid the foundation for my journey into advanced automation and digital solutions.
My experience spans multiple industrial sectors, where I’ve helped transform operations through smart automation and data-driven strategies.
I’m passionate about guiding the mining industry into a digital future—drawing inspiration from the progress already made in chemical, paper, and oil & gas sectors.

Juha Järvi is the Technical Director at Jervois Finland Oy, where he has worked since 1996. He has extensive experience in metallurgical process development, production management, and international projects, including assignments in the United States and China. Juha holds a Master of Science in Technology, and his current role focuses on advancing technology and developing solutions for sustainable production.

I am Noora Westerlund, Communications and Impact Director at Origin by Ocean, a Finnish biotech scale-up turning harmful marine biomass into safe and sustainable ingredients. My background combines leadership and strategic design in communication and branding agencies with a passion for circular economy solutions. At Origin by Ocean, I focus on strategy, partnerships, and ensuring that our mission of ocean regeneration translates into real business impact. I am driven by creating opportunities where environmental responsibility and commercial viability go hand in hand. Together with our team, we are building a new value chain where the ocean and industry both thrive.

Markku Mylly has a long and versatile experience in maritime sector since 1973. He started his career as seafarer sailing in tanker vessels for 15 years in global trade. He became a pilot in Finland 1987 and thereafter in different managerial positions in Finnish Maritime Administration until 2010. He then became a CEO of the Finnish Port Association for two and a half years and in 2012 he became the Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency in Lisbon. He retired from EMSA in the beginning of 2019 and since then he has been active in consulting and lecturing in different universities in Europe and more widely.

Torbjörn Sternsjö is the CEO of Arctial, a company which is conducting a feasibility study of low-carbon aluminium production in Kokkola, Finland. Prior to his present position, Mr. Sternsjö was working Executive VP at Gränges, a global aluminium manufacturing company. Mr. Sternsjö also spent around 17 years in China, working in the aluminium manufacturing industry.

Mika Mikkola has served as the Director of Real Estate at Osuuskauppa KPO for seven years, overseeing the cooperative’s construction and property maintenance operations. Prior to this role, he gained extensive experience in public regional administration and held the position of CEO at a construction consulting company. KPO-Kiinteistöt Oy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Osuuskauppa KPO, manages the majority of the cooperative’s real estate portfolio. Mr. Mikkola also holds the position of CEO at KPO-Kiinteistöt Oy.

Ronnie Djupsund works as Director of Education in the City of Kokkola, responsible for early childhood education, basic education, and upper secondary education. He has held this role since 2024 and previously managed Swedish-language education services. Djupsund has nearly 20 years of experience in municipal leadership. He believes that a sustainable future is built through education, from early childhood all the way to higher education.

CEO and Board Member. Experienced in Metals & Mining, Lithium, Battery Metals, Manufacturing and Logistics. Currently at Keliber and Board Member at Luxmet, a unique steel technology company. Experience: CEO at Keliber, CEO at Nordkalk, SVP at Outokumpu, GM at Elcoteq, GM at Flextronics and MD at SSAB. Beside Finland has lived in Germany 9 years, Hungary 4 years and Estonia 2 years. Volunteer rescue worker – active orienteering runner – M.Sc. in Technology.

Jonas Sandlin has been driving growth and visibility at KIP Service Oy for nearly seven years. He has launched KIP Academy and its digital learning platform to modernize industrial training, fostered strong partnerships across the Kokkola Industrial Park, and actively built networks that have boosted the area’s visibility and appeal. Passionate about connecting people, ideas, and innovation in the heart of Finnish industry.

Greetings! I´m Oliver Pietilä the Chair of the city board of Kokkola. I´m working as a full time municipal politician. I also study municipal and regional leadership at Tampere University.

Teemu Merinen is responsible for Planning & Optimization of the renewable fuels business (HVO) at St1. St1 is an energy transition company with the vision to be the leading producer and seller of CO₂-aware energy and a majority owner of the Gothenburg Biorefinery, where used cooking oil, animal fats, and by-products from the forestry industry are transformed into renewable fuels. Teemu has a 10+ years of experience in refining industry from Neste and St1 in various planning and commercial roles.

I am Muhammad Zain Bin Amjad, I am an Energy Systems Engineer, working with batteries to make them more sustainable and viable solutions for next generation battery community. Currently, I’m pursuing my Ph.D. at the Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Ireland. My research centers on developing silicon nanowire/graphite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries as part of the SiGNE Project funded by Horizon Europe under the supervision of Kevin M Ryan. My work focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical testing of materials for applications such as lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and aqueous sodium-ion batteries, as well as supercapacitors and photocatalysts.

Port of Kokkola CEO m.sc business administration. 30 years in port trade, specialty areas; raw materials, containers, general and project cargo port handling and transportation, green transition logistics. Building new ports from greenfield areas. Running a port commercially and functionally.

Dr. Shaikshavali Petnikota is currently serving as a Researcher in the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå, Sweden. His area of expertise lies in electrochemical energy storage, supported by a strong academic background in materials science. His current research focuses on the conversion of biomass into activated carbon for applications in lithium-ion and aluminum batteries, as well as non-aqueous supercapacitors.

Ville Klaavu has deep technical expertise with over 20 years of experience in high-value industrial sales. He played a key role in developing and scaling Hycamite technology, giving him a thorough understanding of its industrial applications.

During her 20 years career at Air Liquide, Kristiina Siiskonen has had various commercial roles, supporting the customers to have robust and sustainable supply solutions for their industrial gas requirements. Air Liquide is the world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare, its ambition being to deliver long term performance and to contribute to a more sustainable world. Through its positions in key markets of the future, Air Liquide is at the heart of today’s and tomorrow’s challenges: energy and environmental transition, transformation of healthcare and technological progress.
In her current role as a commercial director, Kristiina is in charge of sales, business development, commercial excellence and customer service in the Nordic countries, which is one of the key geographies leading the energy transition.

Arto is battery materials expert who is leading global process technology team in the field of pCAM materials. He has demonstrated experience to scale and ramp up product and process innovations in industrial scale. Current business needs continuous balance between new innovations, cost competiviness, tight quality requirements and succesful product qualification processes.

Ambassador for bio and circular economy Titta Maja-Luoto is passionate about rules based international politics and multi-lateralism. She has studied bio-chemistry and social sciences and worked in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland for the past 25 years in different roles.

With over 15 years of experience in the environmental sector, Jarmo Sillanpää works as Environmental Manager at Boliden Kokkola, a role he has held for five years. He also chairs the Environmental Working Group in the Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP) area. Jarmo is passionate about sustainability and the circular economy, and actively follows current developments in these fields. He sees strong collaboration between stakeholders as a key factor in promoting responsible industry.

Senior Specialist Pasi Laajala works at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). He is a biochemist and currently serves as the project manager of the Biopeitto Kainuu project. The project aims to develop effective cover solutions for mine tailings. One of its focus areas is to study the impact of biochar in mine cover structures.

Joonas Haavisto is a Finnish pianist and composer. He joined the world-famous Steinway Artist roster in 2017. Joonas has played as a soloist with orchestras and big bands and leads his own group Joonas Haavisto Trio. He has been performing around the world in venues like Blue Note Jazz Club NY, Tokyo Jazz Festival, Rochester Int. Jazz Festival and Pori Jazz. He composed the music for The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki movie,which won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Henrik Wejberg works as a researcher at the Natural Resources Institute Finland and is completing a PhD in Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Helsinki, with training in agricultural and environmental economics. His research focuses on cultivated peatlands and options for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Other notable work includes applying input–output analysis to changes in agricultural production and their effects on regional economies. The aim is to provide evidence-based guidance for climate-smart land use and policy.

An experienced researcher with expertise in R&D of polymer composites and life cycle assessment. Holds a D.Sc. in Materials Science, with a proven record of contributing to sustainable materials research.

Mike Settels is the Vessel Energy Optimization Manager at Wagenborg Shipping, where he has worked for over 16 years. He has extensive experience in maritime energy efficiency, fleet digitalization, and sustainable vessel operations. Mike has led numerous initiatives, including the Remote Support system, Fuel Oil Monitoring, and LiveDataFleet projects, which now provide real-time insights into fuel use and carbon intensity across the fleet. He has also overseen projects to optimize fleet performance and support the transition to low- and zero-carbon fuels, such as e-LNG, e-Methanol, and e-Ammonia. Based in Delfzijl, The Netherlands, Mike focuses on leveraging data-driven tools and innovative solutions to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and enable sustainable shipping operations globally.

Head of Grid Services. Responsible for grid connection, transmission service, customer relations and commitments. 35 y experience of high voltage power grid.

Hannu, VP of Operations at Patria Defence and Weapon Systems business, focuses on ensuring operational readiness, sustainable production, and strategic growth—driving initiatives such as the expansion of the Defence business. Hannu has a strong background in operations and industrial management across various global industrial companies. He brings insights into how to strengthen the Defence business capabilities and ensure operational resilience in today’s rapidly changing business and security environment.

Dr. Justin Salminen is the Head of Carbon Processing Plant Concept at Hycamite TCD Technology Ltd., focusing on graphite: a critical raw material under the EU’s CRMA. His expertise includes battery manufacturing, pyro- and hydrometallurgy, hydrogen, CO2 mitigation, and critical raw materials.

He previously advised the EU Commission on Raw Material Matters and Co-Chaired Eurometaux’s Sustainability Committee. Justin holds a PhD from TKK (Aalto University), completed postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley and LBNL, and has published over 50 papers

Joakim Strand is the Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering to Finland, serving in Petteri Orpo’s Cabinet since July 2024. Mr. Strand was first elected to the Finnish Parliament in 2015 and has served as Member of Parliament since then.