Program
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.
Please note that the seminar in Kokkolasali can accommodate a maximum of 400 on-site participants.
Please also note that lunches during the seminar week are at your own expense.
Mon 10.11.: BioKokkola
Tue 11.11.: Port of Opportunities | Grand Seminar | Kokkola Material Week Dinner
Wed 12.11.: GeoKokkola | Business Insights | Industry Meeting Point |
Thu 13.11.: ReKokkola | H2Kokkola
Fri 14.11.: FutureFair
Mon 10.11.
BioKokkola
Venue: Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu, Suuropetustila 124, Talonpojankatu 2, Kokkola
Host: Lasse Aro
The Future of Peatlands – Production, Restoration, or Something Entirely New?
The era of energy peat is coming to an end – so what happens next? Stricter energy taxation and the impacts of emissions trading have rendered peat an unprofitable fuel, and its production is in decline. This transformation is freeing up large peat production areas for new uses – but what kinds of opportunities do they offer?
Join us to hear the latest findings from the nearly completed TURKE project, along with insights from other experts on the future use of peat production areas in Central Ostrobothnia. The seminar will explore, among other things, the profitability of various alternatives, their impact on the regional economy and environment, and whether restoration is a realistic and sustainable solution – or if more productive and appealing future uses can be found.
The seminar will be opened by Member of Parliament Janne Jukkola, who will address the topic from the perspective of national security of supply.
Join the discussion and help shape a new future for peatlands at Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu on Monday, November 10, 2025! The seminar presentations will be in Finnish
9.30
Aamukahvit
10.00
Seminaarin avaus, Janne Jukkola, kansanedustaja
10.10
Jatkokäyttömuotojen soveltuvuus Keski-Pohjanmaan turvesoille – paikkatietoanalyysin tulokset, Oona Allonen, tutkija, Geologian tutkimuskeskus
10.30
Turvetuotantoalueiden jatkokäyttövaihtoehtojen kannattavuus Henrik Wejberg, väitöskirjatutkija, Luonnonvarakeskus
10.50
Keski-Pohjanmaan turvetuotantoalueiden jatkokäytön aluetalousvaikutukset, Marja Knuuttila, erikoistutkija, Luonnonvarakeskus
11.10
LCA of biogas, biochar and composites from biomass grown on peatland,
Anna Kwokori, TKI-asiantuntija, Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu
Rathish Rajan, TKI-asiantuntija, Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu
11.30
Omakustanteinen lounas
12.30
Ilmastoystävällistä maankäyttöä turvetuotannosta vapautuneille alueille – miten ja millä rahalla? Liisa Maanavilja, erikoistutkija, Geologian tutkimuskeskus
12.50
Turvemaiden ennallistaminen osana Valion vastuullisuustyötä, Tuuli Hakala, kehityspäällikkö, Valio
13.10
Turvepelloilla tuotetun bioenergian kestävyys RED-direktiivien valossa, Timo Lötjönen, tutkija, Luonnonvarakeskus
13.30
Laitevalmistajan kommenttipuheenvuoro edelliseen, Eero Leppänen, prosessisuunnittelija, Demeca Oy
13.50
Kahvitauko
14.20
Aurinkoenergian ympäristövaikutusten elinkaariarviointi, Ilkka Leinonen, tutkimusprofessori, Luonnonvarakeskus
14.50
Biohiili kaivosten sivukivikasojen maisemoinnissa, Pasi Laajala, tutkija, Luonnonvarakeskus
15.10
Korkean lisäarvon tuotteita turvesoilta? Leena Favén, TKI-koordinaattori, Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu
15.30
Keski-Pohjanmaan turvetuotantoalueiden tulevaisuuden visio, Jouni Kaipainen, yliopistotutkija, Kokkolan yliopistokeskus Chydenius
15.50
Seminaarin yhteenveto, Lasse Aro, tutkija, Luonnonvarakeskus
16.00
Seminaari päättyy
Tue 11.11.
Port of Opportunities
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
The Port of Kokkola is more than just a port – it is a key hub for the Clean-transition.
Join us to discover how the port area is becoming a vital enabler for sustainable industry, renewable energy logistics, and the use of cleaner fuels.
This session takes a deep dive into how the Port of Kokkola is already enabling future energy solutions and supporting businesses in their journey towards low-emission production, as well as sustainable import and export operations.
Be inspired by concrete examples and learn how a port can drive clean growth for the entire region and its industries.
13.00 – 14.30
Opening keynote
– Torbjörn Witting, CEO of the Port of Kokkola:
Welcome, introduction and strategic outlook
Framing the role of the port in the Clean-transition
The following experts will discuss these topics during the session:
– Pekka Koskinen, Senior Advisor, Brave Logistics Finland Oy, (Moderator of the discussion)
– Teemu Merinen, Head of Planning & Optimization Director, ST1 Nordic Oy
– Markku Mylly, Master Mariner, former Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
– Kaj Portin, General Manager, Sustainable Fuel & Decarbonisation, Wärtsilä Finland Oy
– Vesa Törölä, CEO – General Manager, Boliden Kokkola Oy
– Mike Settels, Vessel Energy Optimization Manager, Wagenborg Shipping
Closing reflections
– Torbjörn Witting, CEO of the Port of Kokkola
Grand Seminar
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
The flagship event of Kokkola Material Week, the Grand Seminar, takes place on Tuesday, November 11 at Kokkola City Hall.
This year’s seminar will bring together the region’s leading industrial players and showcase the most significant ongoing projects. The program features presentations about major industrial investments, as well as the critical infrastructure required for sustainable industrial development.
The seminar offers a unique insight into regional development trends, investments, and innovations, as well as an excellent opportunity to network with industry experts and stakeholders.
14.30
Registration
15.00
Opening of Grand Seminar 2025
15.05
Welcome words, Stina Mattila, Mayor, City of Kokkola
15.15
Opening Speech, Greetings from the Government, Joakim Strand, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering
15.30
Business Opportunities in Sustainable Chemistry, Tobias Schalow, CEO, CABB
15.45
Turning the Tide: Transforming Ocean Overgrowth into Functional Chemicals, Mari Granström, CEO, Origin by Ocean
16.00
The future of circular economy in a world of geopolitical conflicts, Kaisa Hietala, Board Professional
16.15
Arctial – Europe’s first new low-carbon primary aluminium smelter in over three decades, Torbjörn Sternsjö, CEO, Arctial
16.30
Coffee and chats
17.10
Power Grid at your service, Petri Parviainen, Head of Grid Services, Fingrid Oyj
17.25
Industrial Water and Utilities Enabling Industrial Growth, Ilona Järveläinen, VP, Business Development, Veolia
17.40
Decarbonization without deindustrialization, Kristiina Siiskonen, Commercial Director, Air Liquide Nordics
17.55
Closing words, Jonne Sandberg, Development Director, City of Kokkola
18.00
Music by pianist Joonas Haavisto
18.15
Refreshments and networking
After Hours: Kokkola Material Week Dinner – An experiential dinner, inspiring company, and flavors of the future
Tue 11th November 7.30 PM @ Kruununvoudintalo, Kaarlelankatu 43, Kokkola
Welcome to the 2025 Kokkola Material Week Dinner – an evening that combines a high-quality three-course culinary experience with the opportunity to network with regional influencers and businesses.
The dinner will take place in a venue where atmosphere, conversations, and food are given the space to shine ✨
This event is a paid experience and require a separate ticket purchase. Please note: seats are limited.
Produced by 100MA Social restaurant
Wed 12.11.
GeoKokkola
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
Welcome to the GeoKokkola seminar, where the focus is strongly on the mineral economy and metal refining processing. The aim is to create a versatile overview of new metal processing projects related to the mineral economy and the battery value chain. Experts and company presentations in GeoKokkola will present new mining projects and also regionally key international new research projects in the battery value chain.
9.00
Opening words
9.05
EU CRMA and Finland’s National Exploration Programme, Hanna Leväniemi, GTK
9.25
Sustainable Extraction of Iron and Titanium Oxide from Ilmenite, Yliopistotutkija Pekka Tanskanen, University of Oulu
9.40
Bambra/Prospech Limited (Korsnäs Project), Jason Beckton, Prospech
9.55
Balancing Quality and Economics of Scale in Battery Materials Manufacturing, Ville Huhtanen, Senior Technology Specialist, AFRY
10.10
Taking a digital leap for better environmental and financial performance, Stefan Bosman, Senior Manager, Metso Finland Oy
10.25
Coffee break
10.55
Critical raw materials under threat? How to build resilience? Dr. Inês Peixoto, Industrial Management, School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa
11.10
GreenBattery project: Ass. prof. Rafal Sliz, University of Oulu
Green Battery project: Anode, Shaikshavali Petnikota, SLU, Sweden
11.30
Advanced Composite Si NW/Graphite Anode for High Capacity Lithium Batteries Applications, Muhammad Zain Bin Amjad, PhD Research Scholar, University of Limerick
11.45
Local Horizon Europe projects in batteries – SAFELOOP, STREAMS and SPRINT, Dr. Pekka Tynjälä/University of Oulu/Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius
12.00
End of GeoKokkola, closing words
Business Insights
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
The Business Insights event delves into current subcontracting opportunities and future collaboration prospects through three main themes. The program features presentations on major projects, developments in the defense industry, and local construction and development initiatives. The event offers information and opportunities to become part of the region’s growth stories.
The program is partly in English and Finnish.
14.00
Norwegian and Nordic Defense Industry in an Age of European Rearmament, Wegger Chr. Strømmen, Norway’s Ambassador in Finland
14.20
Supply Chain resilience in Defence industry, Hannu Jokinen, VP Operations, Defence and Weapon Systems, Patria Group
14.35
The Power of Networking in Export, Kent Björklund, Executive chairman of the Board, CEO, Kewatec Oy
14.50
Osuuskauppa KPO:n investointistrategia, Mika Mikkola, kiinteistöjohtaja, KPO-Kiinteistöt Oy, Osuuskauppa KPO
15.05
Kuinka paikalliset mikro- ja PK-yritykset voivat päästä alihankkijoiksi Lujatalon hankkeisiin, Håkan Nyman, projektijohtaja, Lujatalo
15.20
Arctialin alumiinitehdashankkeen luomat mahdollisuudet, Jöran Sopo, paikallisjohtaja, Arctial
15.35
Energiatehokkuusinnovaation toteutus koulurakennushankkeessa, Veli-Matti Isoaho, rakennuspäällikkö, Kokkolan kaupunki
15.50
Onnistu teollisuuden investointiprojektissa, Jukka Karhula, CEO, Fineweld
16.05
Closing words, Timo Lahtinen, CEO, Kokkolanseudun Kehitys Oy / KOSEK
16.10
Business Insights seminar ends
Industry Meeting Point
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
Welcome to Industry Meeting Point, a networking event where you can connect and even negotiate new subcontracting partnerships.
16.00
Coffee and refreshments
16.20
Speed dating by Eventos
17.20
Refreshments and networking
19.00
Event ends
After Hours: KMW UNCORKED – Special Dinner Journey
Wed 12th November 6.30 PM @ Restaurant Kokkolinna, Isokatu 1, 67100 Kokkola
As part of Kokkola Material Week, Restaurant Kokkolinna invites you to an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
Get ready for a night where every glass and dish tells a story. You’ll experience exceptional local flavors and exciting wines in a warm atmosphere where enjoyment and dialogue are at the heart of the evening.
Your host for the evening, renowned wine expert and food & beverage performer Kalle Naatula, will guide you through the bottles, the stories behind their labels, and pairings crafted to surprise and delight.🍇✨
Please note: This event is a paid experience and require a separate ticket purchase.
Thu 13.11.
ReKokkola
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
Welcome to the ReKokkola seminar on November 13th, where we gaze into the future but without forgetting the past. The Kokkola Industrial Park is celebrating a major milestone this year thus making it the perfect time to look at how circular economy is taking shape in the area.
In the keynote of the area’s history, you will find out how the area has developed during the decades to become the largest chemistry and metal processing ecosystem in Northern Europe.
After the coffee break the program includes local examples. Expert and company keynotes will highlight how circular economy is utilized in practice, both through RDI work as well as large-scale strategic EU projects.
9.00
Opening words, Titta Maja-Luoto, Ambassador, Bio- and circular economy and food exports, Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland
9.05
KIP today, the views of activities and developments, Kaisa Kaapo, Executive Director, Kokkola Industrial Park Association
9.15
Aikamatka KIP:n historiaan – 80 vuotta kasvua, muutosta ja merkitystä, Elisa Maunumäki ja Kristiina Teerikangas, Kokkolan matkailuoppaat
9.35
Future Zinc Plant – Boliden Kokkola, Vesa Törölä, CEO, Boliden
9.55
Turning an Industrial Challenge into an Opportunity: Sodium Sulfate, Dr Kuldeep Singh, Water Treatment Concept Developer, Adven
10.10
Coffee break
10.40
BATCircle3.0 – The leap of battery material and recycling research in Finland, Dr. Sipi Seisko, Aalto University, BATCircle project
10.55
Production of Battery-Grade Silicon from Biobased Sources: Case Brewery Waste Byproducts, Jakov Lubenets, Centria
11.10
120 years of good energy in Kokkola and still establishing new business, Kirsi Hautala, CEO, Kokkolan Energia Oy
11.25
Panel – Critical raw materials in strategic EU projects
– Justin Salminen, Head of Carbon Processing Plant Concept, Hycamite
– Hannu Hautala, SVP / Sibanye-Stillwater Keliber lithium project
– Juha Järvi, Technical Director, Jervois Finland
12.00
End of ReKokkola, closing words
H2Kokkola
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Host: Sanna Laitinen
Welcome to the H2Kokkola event to hear insights from hydrogen users and producers, research organizations, and other key stakeholders in the gas and hydrogen economy, representing the top of their respective fields.
The seminar program includes presentations in both Finnish and English.
13.00
Opening words
13.03
Finland is Open for Clean Business, Markku Kivistö, Business Finland
13.15
Hydrogen Research Forum Finland: Overview of the state of hydrogen research in Finland, Eeva Lähdesmäki, LUT Yliopisto
13.45
Production of fossil-free steel utilizing HYBRIT technology for reduction of iron ore, Jarmo Lilja, SSAB
14.00
Coffee break
14.30
Smart grids and virtual powerplants: Can these support the hydrogen production in Finland? Fabian Sander, Centria University of Applied Sciences
14.45
H2FUTURE, Ulla Lassi, Professor, University of Oulu
15.00
Hydrogen Usage in Umicore, Arto Fränti, Head of Process Technology, pCAM, Umicore Battery Materials Finland Oy
15.15
Hycamite – Energy-efficient low-carbon hydrogen production, Ville Klaavu, Head of Technology Sales, Hycamite TCD Technologies
15.30
Seminar ends
Fri 14.11.
FutureFair
Venue: Kokkola City Hall
Hosts: Päivikki Nokelainen and Adanna Schadewitz
Explore the Future of Industry at the FutureFair Event – One of the Highlights of Kokkola Material Week
The 2025 seminar will spotlight themes of sustainable development, circular economy, and responsibility – combined with top-level expertise in heavy industry and chemical engineering. Learn how these themes are connected to working life and career opportunities in the Kokkola Industrial Park area.
The program features expert talks from Centria University of Applied Sciences and Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius. In addition, representatives from the Kokkola Industrial Park will take the stage. The seminar morning will culminate in a panel discussion where both young professionals and experienced experts working in the region share their career stories and insights into the future of industry and working life.
The event is especially aimed at students from upper secondary schools, vocational upper secondary schools, and vocational colleges, but it is open to all interested participants.
The event will be held trilingually: in Finnish, Swedish, and English, and will be hosted by students from Kokkola’s Finnish- and Swedish-speaking upper secondary schools.
9.00
Avaussanat, Ronnie Djupsund, opetus- ja kasvatusjohtaja, Kokkolan kaupunki
9.05
Kokkola Industrial Park, Kaisa Kaapo Executive Director, KIP Association ja Jonas Sandlin, HR & Education Manager, KIP Service
9.20
Merten ravinneongelmasta kiertotalouden ratkaisuksi – levästä biopohjaisia kemikaaleja, Noora Westerlund, Communications Director, Origin by Ocean
9.35
Planet Hacks: shaping the world towards a sustainable future, Mira Valkjärvi, RDI-expert, Centria
9.47
Smart devices and sustainability, professor Ulla Lassi, Kokkolan yliopistokeskus Chydenius
10.00
Break
10.10
Sustainability at Kokkola Industrial Park, Jarmo Sillanpää, Chairman of Environment working group, KIP Association
10.25
“We Are the Future – Together”
Perspectives on Sustainability Across Generations
Bright minds at different stages of their careers—those just stepping into the working world and those with years of experience—come together to share insights, challenge ideas, and explore how diverse voices can shape a more sustainable future.
– Miika Korja, Acting Vice President, Industrial Partnerships / Fortum
-Kasper Weizmann, Student, University of Vaasa & Logistics worker, Boliden
–Julia Myllymäki, Junior Scientist, Hycamite TCD Technologies
– Jesse Haapala, Entrepreneur, Kokkolan Autohuolto
11.00
Event ends