Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: FinNano Programme Sends Finnish Nanotechnology Sector Soaring: Triple-Digit Growth in Just Two Years Demonstrates Trends Providing Fresh Opportunities

Home > Press > FinNano Programme Sends Finnish Nanotechnology Sector Soaring: Triple-Digit Growth in Just Two Years Demonstrates Trends Providing Fresh Opportunities

Abstract:
he Finnish nanotechnology industry is booming unlike ever before. The number of Finnish companies involved in the nanotechnology sector has grown 111% in just a two-year period. Of these, 22% have a commercial product based on nanotechnology. Furthermore, this explosive growth is a signifier of trends demonstrating that nanotechnology offers new opportunities to both traditional and new industries in Finland. A large part of the overall rise in activity and awareness can be ascribed to Finland's national nanotechnology programme, FinNano.

FinNano Programme Sends Finnish Nanotechnology Sector Soaring: Triple-Digit Growth in Just Two Years Demonstrates Trends Providing Fresh Opportunities

Finland | Posted on February 13th, 2007

The boom in Finnish nanotechnology is uncovered by the 'Nanotechnology in Finnish Industry' survey. The biannual survey studied the evolution of the Finnish nanotechnology scene in the period 2004-2006. The 2006 survey identified 129 Finnish companies that either had commercial products or research activities focused on nanotechnology, or who had participated in the Tekes FinNano technology programme. The previous 2004 survey had found 61 companies that had activities related to nanotechnology.

Of the identified 129 firms, 29 reported having a commercial product which is based on nanotechnology. These products range from technology for industrial processes to consumer products.

"This number of companies with commercial nanotechnology products is a very good sign. In addition to those already with commercial products, a further 23 firms have nanotechnology-enabled products or processes in development. The majority anticipate that these will reach the market in less than two years. We are very pleased with what is going on in Finland on the nanotechnology front, and have full confidence that this development will continue," says Mr. Pekka Koponen, Managing Director, Spinverse Consulting, who coordinates the FinNano programme for Tekes.

The survey demonstrated further that there are some clear trends in the sectors that stand to benefit most from the development of nanotechnology.

New opportunities to traditional and new industries

Chemicals and materials are the areas in which nanotechnology will have the greatest impact in the short term. This is borne out by survey findings that 13 Finnish companies had commercially available products based on nanotechnology.

Commercial products include nanoscale particles and materials, but also an increasing amount of products relying on 'applied' nanotechnology, such as cosmetics and paints.

The forest industry has also seen activity increase; large firms are gearing up their research activities, and commercial products are available. Activity has been especially strong in the areas of packaging, with increased research into 'intelligent' packaging, incorporating features like freshness indicators.

There is also a crossover with the chemical and even the life sciences industry, with research being carried out into chemicals and enzymes for paper processing.

Life Sciences are a very exciting area of nanotechnology development. The way is being led by diagnostics (particularly so-called 'lab on a chip' technology), biomaterials, and techniques for drug delivery. Whilst still at a relatively early stage, research is also progressing in nanotechnology based drugs.

Progress is not limited to healthcare, with nanotechnology also being applied in the production of foodstuffs.

It is believed that whilst the electronics industry will ultimately benefit most from the development of nanotechnology, it will still take time before these benefits are realised. This is consistent with the survey findings, which noted steady progress from research to early commercialisation. For example, Nokia has increased the scale and scope of its nanotechnology activities.

The photonics sector is also an area in which Finland possesses distinct capabilities, a fact reflected in the number of firms in this field.

Finland's national nanotechnology programme, FinNano, has a large part to play in the overall rise in activity and awareness in the Finnish nanotechnology sector. FinNano covers funding and support activities from the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, Tekes, and the Academy of Finland.

"FinNano is also a testament to the commitment and involvement of industry. Nanotechnology 'visions' for key industries have been developed, which has helped other firms to identify and address real market needs," comments Dr. Markku Lämsä, Technology Programme Manager, Tekes FinNano.

FinNano brings together top Finnish nanotechnology firms and researchers in its FinNano Annual Seminar, held this year on 27th March 2007 in Helsinki. The seminar is a free workshop which precedes Nanotech Northern Europe, the region's largest nanotechnology event, held on 27-29th March 2007.

For more about the FinNano Annual Seminar, please go to http://akseli.tekes.fi/opencms/opencms/OhjelmaPortaali/ohjelmat/NANO/fi/system/tapahtuma.html?id=1026&nav=Tapahtuma .

For more information about Nanotech Northern Europe, please go to http://www.nanotech.net/ .

Supporting Material

The Nanotechnology Finnish Industry survey is conducted by Spinverse Consulting, the coordinators of the Tekes FinNano technology programme. The survey was last carried out 2004. The survey was carried out electronically, and an invitation to participate in the survey was sent to 231 individuals. 95 complete responses and a further 11 partial responses were received.

A number of companies have been identified that are indicative of some of the trends mentioned in this press release. Their contact details can be provided upon request.

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For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Pekka Koponen
Managing Director, Spinverse Consulting
pekka.koponen(at)spinverse.com
Tel: +358 40 545 0008

Markku Lämsä
Tekes FinNano Technology Programme Manager
Senior Technology Advisor, Ph.D.
markku.lamsa(at)tekes.fi
Tel. +358 1060 55793

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