The latest issue of Puunvuoro will be published on June 4 and is once again full of timely insights and engaging personal stories. Explore selected articles from the magazine online – inspiring reads await!
Specialisation Drives Competitiveness
The transformation of the forest industry is not merely a reaction to market disruptions, but a permanent shift towards higher value-added fibre products. According to Nicholas Oksanen, CEO of AFRY Finland, scale advantages alone are no longer sufficient; the industry now requires technological leadership and specialisation.
Key drivers of growth include investments in R&D and a strong startup ecosystem. Environmental friendliness alone is also no longer a sufficient basis for investment decisions. Every innovation must be able to prove its place in global markets. A new product must be at least as good as—and preferably more cost-effective than—the traditional alternative.
Read more >>> here
Photo: Jari Härkönen
An Incubator Creates the Right Conditions for Innovation
Innovations have been developed in VTT’s corridors for decades, but the journey of ideas from the laboratory to the market is demanding. To commercialise a deep-tech innovation, it requires substantial funding, a skilled team, and a solid understanding of the market.
This need is addressed by VTT LaunchPad, established in 2019. It represents a more advanced version of the long-standing spin-off activities and celebrated its seventh anniversary in March 2026 at the heart of Finland’s innovation ecosystem.
Read more >>> here
Photo: VTT
New Paths Reveal New Opportunities
The neutral sulfite pulping process has shown potential for applications in various bio-based materials.
In her doctoral research, Doctor of Technology Elina Warsta examined the reactions of neutral sodium sulfite solutions with wood, pulp, and their chemical components—lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses.
Neutral sulfite chemistry and its processes are still used only to a limited extent on an industrial scale, and research on the topic remains scarce.
“However, universities and research institutes can also explore alternative paths, where it is possible to discover something new and valuable,” Warsta says.
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Multiple Career Paths Within the Same Company
Essi Hannula’s career at Stora Enso began in 2005 in a human resources secretary role. Today, she leads the company’s recycled fibre unit.
Over the course of her career, she has supplemented her expertise by earning an MBA. Hannula had already gained leadership experience before joining Stora Enso: in 2002, she enlisted in voluntary military service for women. Having completed officer training, she holds the rank of First Lieutenant in the reserves.
“It was largely a time spent outside my comfort zone, but I see it as a valuable experience for personal growth and leadership. It has also opened up networks that I otherwise wouldn’t have access to.”
Read more >>> here
Photo: Stora Enso