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Kokkola, which is situated on the west coast of Finland,
has been profiled as being a regional concentration of know-how
in the chemical industry and chemistry. A centre of excellence
programme supports the systematic continuation of development
work.
There are several top chemical industry companies in the
Kokkola region. Kemira Chemicals Oy has the largest calcium
chloride plant in the EU region at Kokkola; OMG Kokkola Chemicals
Oy produces the most cobalt in the world; and Outokumpu Zinc
Oy's Kokkola plant is the second-biggest in Europe in terms
of its zinc production capacity. Chemistry is also of benefit
to KHW Plast Oy, which produces plastic films at Pietarsaari,
and to UPM Kymmene's wood-processing plants. The UPM-Kymmene
Group is the world's largest producer of printing paper and
also the biggest employer in Pietarsaari. Some 85% of Finnish
glass-fibre-boat production is also located in this area.
Kokkola's centre of excellence programme is focused on the
application of chemistry in industry. The programme networks
the chemical technologies, basic chemistry know-how and various
operators' know-how that are common to the various fields
of production. The focal areas are the chemistry of inorganic
salts, the chemistry of metals, organic chemistry and the
chemistry of polymers. Particular emphasis is placed on especially
clean and highly customized products. The Kokkola network
includes companies, colleges, universities, research institutes,
service laboratories and institutional operators such as financiers.
The network is maintained by Central Ostrobothnia Technology
Centre.
Top-level projects support each other
Top-level technological projects, such as 'The Process' and
'The Polymer' are closely linked to the top-level projects
for the development of know-how and companies. Chemistry Studies
at a Multi-disciplinary Campus (MUC) is a project that aims
to develop the study environment for specialists in chemistry.
The programme attempts to bring additional know-how and specialists
to technology projects. The Pro Chemistry project spreads
the know-know produced by technological projects for use by
companies by giving support to the conversion of innovations
into business operations, the creation of new companies and
the growth of small companies.
The decision has been taken to construct a heart for the
chemistry centre of excellence in the Kokkola region i.e.
a new research, training and service laboratory centre that
will support industry and training and have facilities for
a corporate hatchery.
The vision for the Kokkola district is for it to develop
into a major centre for research and development in chemistry
production technologies.
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Centre of excellence programme - Finnish model
The nationwide centre of excellence programme has been
drawn up for the development of the regions. Its resources
are allocated for the development of certain areas of
know-how that are competitive internationally. The aim
of the programme is to create greater cooperation among
top experts in research, training and companies operating
in the same geographical region and area of know-how.
Developing synergy and the operating environment improves
the operating preconditions in know-how-intensive fields
in various parts of Finland. The programme work taking
place in the regions is being coordinated by a national
centre-of-excellence group whose members are experts
in the most important ministries, business life, research,
education, culture and the cities and regional administration.
Implementation of the programme started in 11 centres.
The good initial experiences persuaded the Government
to expand the programme by creating new areas and centres
for the implementation of a second nationwide programme.
The programme for the period from 2003 to 2006 has named
19 regional centres of excellence and three nationwide
network centres of excellence.
One principle in implementing the programme is inviting
top competitive tenders. Entry into the programme requires
a top-grade concentration of know-how at the international
level, an innovative and effective approach from the
measures in the proposed programme, efficient organizing
and commitment to the programme by the various operators
in the field. The centres also compete amongst themselves
for basic funding allocated annually by the state.
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