Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) is one of the key drivers of productivity and economic growth in the long term. The Finnish forest industry is creating a renewable, sustainable future by investing in research, the development of products, services and production processes, and in the commercialization of pioneering innovations.
Majority of companies in the chemical forest industry engage in RDI activities
According to the latest EU-wide CIS (Community Innovation Survey CIS), 65% of Finnish companies in the chemical forest industry and 63% of companies in the mechanical forest industry were engaged in innovation activities. This is more than the average for all Finnish companies (58%).
Process innovations are common
According to the CIS (Community Innovation Survey CIS), 74% of companies in the chemical forest industry and 72% of companies in the mechanical forest industry engaged in innovation activities made process innovations. However, the share of product innovations was also significant: 57% of companies in the chemical forest industry and 49% of companies in the mechanical forest industry.
Cooperation of companies with higher education institutes
According to the CIS (Community Innovation Survey CIS), 40% of Finnish companies in the chemical forest industry and 37% of companies in the mechanical forest industry cooperated with higher education institutions in 2024. This is higher than the figure for all Finnish companies (33%).
Finnish companies are global leaders in forest industry patents
Finnish forest industry companies lead international patenting statistics in technologies related to micro- and nanocellulose, wastewater and slurry treatment, and lignin recovery. Patent activity is increasing: between 2006 and 2010, Finland became 102 patent publications belonging to nanocellulose, while in 2016-2020 nearly 700.
R&D Investments by Forest Industry Companies
The combined R&D investments of the three largest Finnish forest industry companies by revenue amounted to €620.3 million in 2024. Three forest industry companies are among Finland’s top 25 companies for R&D investment.
Source: Statistics Finland and Finland’s Top 100 R&D Companies in 2024 (4FRONT).
