Program 2023
Please also note that a maximum of 400 people can be accommodated in the seminars held at Kokkola City Hall. Registration for on-site seminars was closed on the 20th of November.
The international Kokkola Material Week offers annual high-level coverage of current research and development prospects in the chemical, bio-economy and mineral economy sectors.
11.11. Saturday: Open Day @ Chydenia Center
20.11. Monday: PreKMW
21.11. Nordic Hydrogen Forum: KMW Side event
21.11. Tuesday: Opening Seminar
22.11. Wednesday: GeoKokkola | ReKokkola | Industry Meeting Point
23.11. Thursday: BioKokkola | Clusters and Co-operation
11.11. Saturday
Open Day @ Chydenia Center
Open Day @ Chydenia shopping center on Saturday from 11 to 14
Saturdays event brings out chemical industry, bioeconomy and battery technology to shoppers visiting Chydenia on the 11th of November.
In the event there are many participatory stands and companies operating in Kokkola Industrial Park area.
- VR glasses with which you can visit the industrial-scale production facility under construction
- A robot dog and a remote-controlled car
- Different scientific research methods to be tested
-> Go around the stands, collect a stamp card full of stamps and come spin the wheel of fortune, for which everyone wins a small prize!
- Sightseeing tours of the Kokkola Industrial Area (KIP) at 12:30 and 2:00 p.m.
- Balloons
The event is free for visitors, welcome!
20.11. Monday
PreKMW
Central Ostrobothnia is growing and developing – are we ready for the change?
Industries are developing and growing, which means that diverse skills are needed now and in the future. This applies to the Kokkola region as well as the whole of Finland. Where and how to find skilled workforce? How to attract and retain newcomers? Above all – are we ready for the change? Follow the vibrant livestream with excellent speakers on Monday 20th of November and dive into the topic!
Venue: Livestream from LIME-studio
Host: Kokkola Material Week host Johannes Malkamäki
13:00
Opening
Mika Palosaari, Director General,
Centre of Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
13:05
Where to find workforce?
Statistical information on labor availability,
Elina Pylkkänen, Under-Secretary of State,
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland
13:25
Kokkola Industrial Park – the growing and developing industrial
area needs diverse skills,
Lea Pellinen, HR manager
Umicore Finland Oy
13:35
The perspective of higher education,
Jyrki Rajala, Talent Boost Coordinator,
Centria University of Applied Sciences
13:50
Working life and the demands of employees are changing – are we meeting the needs of future generations?
14:05
Panel discussion:
Central Ostrobothnia is growing and developing –
Are we ready for the change?
Participants:
- Lea Pellinen
HR Manager, Umicore Finland Oy - Francesca Cucinotta
Director, International Affairs, Centria University of Applied Sciences - Matthieu Guinard,
HRD Specialist, KIP Service Ltd - Emine Karakan, Head of integration and international recruitment services Unit, KEHA-keskus
- Elina Pylkkänen, Under-Secretary of State,
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland
Moderator:
TE-live producer and host Jasmin Granholm
14:50
Closing remarks
21.11. Nordic Hydrogen Forum
21.11. Tuesday
Opening Seminar
The seminar week opens officially on Tuesday 21st of November, when the Opening Seminar takes place at Kokkola City Hall. We will hear plenty of interesting and timely presentations about sustainable industrial development. Some of the speakers are already announced, but we are still hiding a couple of secrets up our sleeves… There will also be a great opportunity for networking while listening to the tunes of wonderful Kokkola based musicians.
Venue: Kokkola Hall at Kokkola City Hall
Host: Kokkola Material Week host Johannes Malkamäki
14:30
Registration
15:05
Welcome words, Stina Mattila, Mayor of Kokkola
15:15
Opening Speech, Juhani Damski, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment
15:30
Why Finland is the best place to produce H2? Benjamin Haycraft, EVP of Europe, Plug Power
15:45
Taia Kronborg, Chief Business Officer, Lhyfe
16:00
Peter Tornberg, Chief Commercial Officer, OX2
16:15
Coffee and chats
17:10
EU Based battery supply chain: Umicore perspective, Tom Van Bellinghen, Senior Director OEM Marketing & Sales, Umicore
17:25
Battery recycling as an emerging business, Kenneth Ekman, Head of R&D and Concept Development, Battery Recycling, Fortum
17:40
😉
17:55
Closing words, Jonne Sandberg, Development Director, City of Kokkola
18:00
Music by accordionist Antti Paalanen, food and networking
22.11. Wednesday
GeoKokkola
The GeoKokkola morning session on Wednesday 22nd of November will cover topics from the regionally central sustainable battery value chain to the closely related mineral and circular economy. This year the focus is on the clean transition, the EU’s new Battery Regulation and reviews from operators, as well as innovative measures to utilize raw materials in the mineral sector. GeoKokkola is co-organised by Geological Survey of Finland GTK, KPEDU and Kokkola University Centre Chydenius/University of Oulu.
Venue: Kokkola Hall at Kokkola City Hall
Host: Kokkola Material Week host Johannes Malkamäki
8:30
Registration
9:00
Keynote: Challenges and Bottlenecks for the Green Transition, Aleksi Salo, Team Manager, Geological Survey of Finland GTK
9:25
New EU Battery regulation – more focus on raw material streams, Jouni Nissinen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Environment of Finland
9:45
Finnish Battery Scene, Pia Vilenius, CEO, Finnish Battery Industries
10:05
Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project, Markus Kivimäki, Deputy CEO, Keliber Oy
10:25
Coffee break
10:55
Industrializing cathode material production, Julia Engström, Director, Northvolt AB
11:15
Implementing investments in battery value chain – learnings from Sweco perspective, Hannu Johto, Battery Industry Lead, Sweco Industry Oy
11:30
This is how we apply Tapojärvi’s circular economy thinking in the Kolari mining project, Jaana Koivumaa, Manager, Hannukainen Mining
11:45
Sustainability as a driving force – Tracegrow, Kimmo Hyvärinen, CEO, Tracegrow Oy
12:00
GeoKokkola seminar ends
ReKokkola
The circular economy is a shift from the linear model, focusing on regenerative production and consumption. We’ll explore how businesses of all sizes can adopt circularity to reduce waste, conserve resources, and foster growth. Sidestream utilization is a key circular economy component, turning waste into valuable resources for environmental benefit, resource efficiency, and revenue. Join ReKokkola on Wednesday 22nd November for insights on transitioning from conventional to sustainable industry practices, featuring case studies of environmentally, socially, and economically responsible companies.
Venue: Kokkolasali at Kokkola City Hall
Host: Kokkola Material Week host Johannes Malkamäki
13:00
Opening words,
Virve Heikkinen, Environmental manager, KIP Service &
Chairman of KIP Environmental group
13:05
Catalyzing sustainable circular economy: Case Kokkola Industrial Park, Hanna Lehtimäki, professor, University of Eastern Finland
13:30
New products from sidestreams of the bioproduct factory,
Johanna Laukkanen, Development Engineer, NordFuel
13:50
Transforming conventional oil refining into new era,
Juha Moilanen, Director, Strategic Project Development, Neste Oyj
14:10
Circular economy opportunities for textiles, Taina Kamppuri, Research Team Leader, VTT
14:30
Coffee break
15:00
Kokkola Industrial Park: Industrial circular economy over 50 years
- New circular economy products
Jarmo Sillanpää, Environmental manager, Boliden Kokkola Ltd - Changing the workwear service with circular economy
Annastina Liedes, Business manager, Clewor Ltd - Circular Economy at TETRA, Christina Holtenäs, TETRA Chemicals Europe
15:40
Kickstart your circular journey: capturing value from the Circular Economy, Mira Valkjärvi, RDI specialist, Centria University of Applied Sciences
15:55
Closing remarks
Industry Meeting Point
Venue: Kokkola Hall at Kokkola City Hall
Host: Kokkola Material Week host Johannes Malkamäki
Welcome to Industry Meeting Point, the ultimate networking session for those eager to forge new industrial partnerships and collaborations. If you’re on the lookout for groundbreaking opportunities, this event is tailor-made for you. The event includes e.g. Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP) operators, OX2, Umicore, KIP Service, Flexens, Finnvera and Kokkola Sports Park Alliance.
Please note that Industry Meeting Point is an in-person event. It’s a unique chance to step away from the digital realm and engage in genuine, meaningful interactions. Short meetings are booked using the Tavata networking tool via this link! Instructions on how to use the Tavata platform can be found here!
Mark your calendars and make your way to the City Hall – this is where possibilities become realities. See you there!
16:30
Welcome Words by Jonne Sandberg, Development Director, City of Kokkola
16:40
Greetings from Business Finland by Markku Kivistö, Head of Industry, Cleantech, Business Finland
16:50
Alliance as a construction project execution method and SMEs as subcontractors by Timo Sivula, CEO, Sports Park of Kokkola Ltd
17:05
Networking Opportunities for Stakeholders and Subcontractors. Short meetings are booked using the Tavata networking tool via this link! Instructions on how to use the Tavata platform can be found here!
18:30
Light Refreshments & Music, Networking Continues freely
20:00
Event ends
23.11. Thursday
BioKokkola
BioKokkola, organized on Thursday 23rd of November, will again this year highlight the hot topics, opportunities, and business case studies of the bioeconomy. The first theme of the morning will focus on sustainable food production from the perspective of both human and animal nutrition, while the second theme will look at the latest research on circular fertilizers and soil improvers. BioKokkola is organized by Centria University of Applied Sciences and Luonnonvarakeskus.
Venue: Kokkola Hall at Kokkola City Hall
Host: Kokkola Material Week host Johannes Malkamäki
8:30
Ilmoittautuminen
9:00
Avajaissanat, Asmo Honkanen, kehittämispäällikkö, Luke
Teema 1:
Kestävä ruoantuotanto
9:10
Solumaatalous: mikrobeja ja keinolihaa, Susanna Rokka, erikoistutkija, Luke
9:35
Development of meat analogues, Edita Varžgalytė, Head of sale, AMALA Brand Vegan Factory
10:00
Sellu- ja etanoliteollisuuden jäteliemen hyödyntäminen eläinrehujen raaka-aineeksi, Heikki Keskitalo, Business Development Manager, eniferBIO Oy
10:25
Tauko
Teema 2:
Kierrätyslannoitteet ja maanparannusaineet
10:40
Keski-Pohjanmaan sivuvirrat kiertolannoitteeksi – katsaus ajankohtaiseen tutkimukseen, Emilia Niittyviita, TKI-asiantuntija, Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu
11:05
Rikastushiekan käyttö turvetuotannosta vapautuneen alueen maanparannuksessa, Lasse Aro, Luke
11:30
Mangaanisakan hyödyntäminen, Mikko Joensuu, COO, Tracegrow Oy
11:50
Aamupäivän yhteenveto
12:00
Tilaisuus päättyy
Clusters and Co-operation
Enhancing sustainability and creating business opportunities through clusters and Nordic cooperation
Discover the Essence of Collaboration, join us for an informative session: Thursday 23rd of November afternoon’s program, organized by actors in the Team Finland -network, is all about the importance of clusters and co-operation. We will hear about experiences, thoughts and hands-on tools from Finnish and Danish experts working in and with clusters. The importance of co-operation both regionally and internationally, with a particular emphasis on the Nordics, will also be addressed. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experienced cluster and collaboration professionals and acquire concrete ideas that can help transform your business! Clusters and cooperation session is organised by Team Finland network in Ostrobothnia.
Venue: Kokkola Hall at Kokkola City Hall
12:30
Clusters and Nordic collaboration – why do we need them? Kristian Schrey, CEO, Viexpo
12:40
The importance of cooperation for investments, Paula Erkkilä, CEO, Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce
12:50
Our vision: the world’s most functional industrial ecosystem, Johanna Hylkilä, Executive Director, Kokkola Industrial Park
13:05
Keynote Speaker: Shaping the Green Transition,
Charlotta Risku, General Manager Innovation and Sustainability, Mirka
13:35
Coffee & networking break
14:00
Renewal and growth through ecosystems – innovation and investments in clusters, Ulf-Erik Widd, Account Manager, Accounts & Ecosystems, Business Finland
14:15
Keynote Speaker:
Building an Innovation Cluster for Defence, Space & Security,
Klaus Bolving, CEO, CENSEC – Center for Defence, Space & Security
15:00
Kokkola Material Week 2023 Grande Finale
15:15
The seminar ends
Kokkola Material Week speakers 2023
What is happening now and in the future in the chemical industry, bioeconomy and battery technology? It will become clear at Kokkola Material Week. See the speaker introductions below!
Kokkola Material Week seminars are completely free for participants!