"The effect of nanotechnology will be enormous, but it will not be enough in itself. A company must find a way to exploit nanotechnology successfully in productization. Nano must bring a unique competitive edge," says Per Stenius, the CEO of Liekki Oy.

"Nanotechnology is way of competing on the market, and it can be used in many areas from the car industry to shipbuilding, medicine, the food industry and even the clothing industry. Liekki's market is in fibre optics.

Optical fibres and nanohairs

Liekki's main products are doped optical fibres and the modules made from them, which are used as components in telecom amplifiers, industrial lasers and applications in the aerospace and military industries.

"We exploit nanotechnology by using nanohairs in the production of fibre. They improve the fibre's properties, such as strengthening the light. Nano applications achieve new levels of efficiency," Stenius says.

Aiming at global markets

Liekki, which was set up in 1999, is now in its sixth year of operations. The turnover in the initial years was less than half a million euros, but last year it tripled. Substantial growth is expected this year as well.

"Our aim is make Liekki the leading company in our own focal area and apply the technology successfully in other areas as well through licensing," Stenius explains.

The markets are now in the USA and some parts of Europe. Stenius says that China will start to raise its head in the next few years. "As far as global markets are concerned, we are well placed. The journey to Washington, Beijing or Tokyo is the same distance. Europe is a stone's throw away."

New business through cooperation

Liekki is part of the Nanoharju company cluster, which in addition to Liekki includes four other companies in the nano field. They also have inter-company business relations.

"Photonium Oy supplies us with equipment and Puraliq Oy with chemicals. We are developing new business areas for our technology with ABR Innova Oy," Stenius mentions.

ABR Innova uses Liekki's technology under licence for glass staining and for coating ceramic interior and building tiles with nano materials. The properties of the glass and tile can be improved in this way. Other benefits include self-cleaning, a wider colour scale and protection from UV light.

>> www.liekki.fi

Liekki Oy, which specializes in doped optical fibres and their applications, employs more than 30 people.