Sharing the lessons of the industry: “We want to make people realise that this is the way to do it.”

The value chain of battery chemistry and other Finnish industries also need efficient infrastructure, proactive land use and smooth licensing. It is essential to get the right parties to cooperate. There is potential for investments of up to billions in Finnish industry.

Project Manager Hannu-Pekka Pukema from the City of Kokkola, what needs to change in order for the battery value chain to become stronger in Finland?

“With regard to the repatriation of investments, it is important to cooperate, find regional strengths and clarify our national operating models and ways of doing things. From the perspective of new investments, the green transition is on Finland’s side, as long as we take care of our infrastructure and accessibility.

Under the leadership of Pukema, the lead project for battery chemistry of InnoCities coordinated a series of workshops on the development of industrial areas, which has included four workshops with different themes in four different locations. There have been participants from all over Finland, from Tornio to Hamina and from Pori to Joensuu.”

“In the workshops, we discussed everything we should take into account to make Finland look attractive as a place to invest. Which infrastructure investments are essential for Finnish industrial areas?” Pukema says. It is important to get the right people to discuss, collaborate and share information with each other. According to Pukema, cities and universities also have their own role in enabling and supporting action in the right direction.

Functional infrastructure generates investments

Infrastructure matters are an essential aspect when it comes to attracting investments. The accessibility of the industrial park by different modes of transport is a matter that is constructed first. It is important that the connections work, the buses are in good condition and the supply chains are considered as a whole from start to finish.

From the perspective of the green transition, rail traffic in particular needs to be improved. It is hoped that freight and passenger traffic should not have to compete for the same track.

“It would be good to have two electrified sections in the northern direction, and if the connection can be made all the way to Sweden, the route will open up for alternative supply chains via Swedish and Norwegian ports. This is also significant from the point of view of security of supply,” Pukema points out.

Licensing issues and value choices often trigger discussion in the case of nuclear power and hydrogen, for example. “In order to improve understanding and acceptability, it is important to communicate comprehensive and honest information to people about the opportunities of new industrial investments and what the investments mean in practice.

Perseverance in decision-making

The University of Oulu’s research team for applied chemistry has worked with battery chemistry for more than 15 years and received international funding for its research work.

“We have published several publications about the battery value chain. Among other things, we are working on a study of greener battery technologies as part of the national battery value chain,” says Professor Ulla Lassi of the University of Oulu.

According to Lassi, the operating environment of the battery value chain has quickly become a bit challenging, not only nationally, but also at the EU level.

Some of the investments are progressing as planned, but others are stalling.

“We must not remain in a state of wonder but should enthusiastically seize new challenges and opportunities. There is still a lot of untapped potential in the battery value chain, even nationally, and new innovations are being created, especially related to the interface between businesses,” says Lassi.

It takes years of work to prepare for a major investment in Finland. That is why it is important that political decision-making is steady and consistent. This has been highlighted in several speeches by participants in the workshops.

“Regardless of politics, we need a more permanent model to lean on when moving things forward in order to keep the industry competitive,” says Pukema.

According to Pukema, although the industry is partly competing for the same things, it is not about who wins and who loses, but everyone wants to do things better in their own way and drive things forward together.

“In November, we will publish a report on the best practices of industrial parks at the Kokkola Material Week event. The findings compiled in the report can then be used to build the battery value chain infrastructure and attract related investments,” says Pukema.

The need for labour and the shortage of skilled workers is one of the important themes that have emerged and will be revisited in the workshops of 2025.

 Battery chemistry is one of the lead themes of InnoCities. Thematic cooperation brings together the resources of different cities and promotes the sharing of good practices as well as international cooperation and investments. The aim is to expedite the reform of business and the implementation of sustainable solutions in cities. InnoCities support innovation and engage in the practical application of research and experiment.