Green Solutions from Sweden Vol. 2 by Syre AB

success through cleantech

Vol.2

2010 CleanTech market in 2020 33 trillion Sweden a global key player Poverty can´t help the climate – technology can A king with passion for climate Mobile monster makes green roads

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 1

helikopter.nu Illu. Anton Eriksson

From Wood to Wheel Solander Science Park · Piteå

Solander Science Park is a centre for research and business development in forest industry based biorefining technology. Solander Symposium (24 – 25 November 2010) is an annual international meeting place for research , industry and society. Piteå is the home town of the Swedish State Secretary, Mr Ola Alterå, Ministry for Enterprise, Energy and Communications. He is looking forward to meeting you to discuss the role of the forest in fighting the climate change. Ola Alterå Information: robert.bergman@solandersciencepark.se johan.hedin@solandersciencepark.se www.solandersciencepark.se Solander Symposium is being held in association with the Swedish EU presidency in autumn 2009.

2 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Care of Haus 2009

The artist Mikael Genberg wants to put a Swedish cottage on the moon! We would prefer to stay on earth – if possible. As a contribution to a sustainable world the project CLEAN Export Mälardalen oﬀers small scale system solutions: • Soil and water puriﬁcation • Climate smart constructions • Recycling design • Renewable energy.

If you want to know more about the Moon House Project please visit www.themoonhouse.com or become a partner in the Moon House Project …

www.cleanexport.se

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 3

SundSvaLL EnErGi working towards sustainable development and a sound environment In a just a few decades, sundsvall has been transformed from a dIrty IndustrIal cIty to one that focuses on envIronmental Issues. one Important stakeholder In the work to Improve the envIronment Is sundsvall energI. “Our aim and mOtivatiOn is that our operations will be good for the environment and contribute to a better environment for everyone living in Sundsvall. We will be a driving force in environmental work and also be a source of inspiration to other towns and cities that want sustainable development as regards power,” says anders Jonsson, managing director at Sundsvall Energi. Plenty has happened in Sundsvall as regards the environment over the last 20 years. in the 1980s, emissions of sulphur dioxide were greatly reduced in Sundsvall, greatly due to properties being connected to the district heating network, while industries also made major environmental investments. So far, emissions from 4000 chimneys have disappeared thanks to district heating. “the expansion of district heating has given Sundsvall cleaner air, lower power consumption through more effective heat production and cheaper heat. Every year, we connect around 400 homes and a number of larger building to our environmentally-friendly district heating system,” says anders Jonsson. Korstaverket is the plant at the heart of production. Every day, it provides 80,000 people in Sundsvall with district heating. it produces electricity and district heating in a green, financially sound way. One 60 megawatt com4 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

bined heat and power plant for waste fuel, one waste furnace at 20 megawatt and waste heat from Ortviken paper mill form the basis of its energy production. around 100,000 mWh of electricity and 700,000 mWh of district heating are produced every year. SCA And SundvAll EnErgi in A win-win pArtnErShip district heating makes it possible to use energy flows in society that would otherwise go to waste. the partnership between SCa/ Ortviken and Sundsvall Energi is a good example of this. Waste heat from Ortviken paper mill goes straight to Korstaverket, which recycles it as district heating. district heating also contributes to SCa’s sawmill, tunadal, being able to significantly reduce its power consumption. 65-degree water in the form of waste heat is sent from Ortviken to Sundsvall’s district heating network. deliveries take place during the winter, when the need for heat is at its greatest. they total 100 to 170 GWh per year, depending on the weather and heating requirements. around 60 percent of the production at Korstaverket uses waste as fuel. around 25 percent comes from waste heat from Ortviken papermill and biofuel.

“investments in the waste-based combined heat and power plant and in waste heat have meant that we have taken a giant step to reduce oil dependence in our production of heat and power,” says anders Jonsson. another product that is increasingly in demand by Sundsvall’s trade and industry is distance cooling. this is created by the cold water that flows in the indalsälven and Ljungan rivers. in Sundsvall we have plenty of good quality water. using water cooling rather than conventional cooling technology, where electrical systems are used, is considerably more energy efficient. district cooling is delivered to customers via the municipality’s water mains. BiogAS ComBinAtion for produCing vEhiClE gAS And fErtiliSEr Sundsvall Energi aB is fully-owned by Sundsvall municipality. the municipality’s environmental targets are high and Sundsvall Energi has been tasked with helping to realise these targets for a better environment and sustainable development in the municipality. One of these environmental targets is to reduce emissions from vehicle traffic in Sundsvall. in Sweden, around 37 percent of the climate-impacting emissions come from vehicle traffic. Sundsvall is a city with

“Our aim and motivation is that our operations will be good for the environment and contribute to a better environment for everyone living in Sundsvall” increasing amount of traffic, which leads to increased emissions. there are currently only a few biogas cars driving on the municipality’s roads. the aim is that by 2012 the municipality will have 300 biogas-fuelled vehicles of its own. this would mean an annual reduction in carbon dioxide by 1600 tons. there is ongoing discussion about building a combined biogas plant for vehicle gas, which partly processes domestic food waste. this is an important investment for achieving emissions targets and increasing interest among both private individuals and companies to replace petrol-driven vehicle with ones that run on biofuel. the planned plant next to Korstaverket is intended for the production of biogas that can be cleaned to make vehicle gas, sludge that can be used as fertiliser and returned to the forest as nutrients. On this project, Sundsvall Energi has a close partnership with the municipal company, Fokusera, in Sundsvall.

“We can take a leading position in research and development in this area. Both knowledge and products can be developed in the region. Each new gas vehicle on our roads reduces our contribution to global warming and reduces air pollution,” says Åke Jonsson, managing director of Fokusera in Sundsvall. Please see the article about biogas cleaning. BlåBErgEt wAStE fACility – An importAnt pArt of EnErgy rECyCling Blåberget waste facility is almost 10 km outside central Sundsvall. the majority of operations at Blåberget consist of receiving, sorting and the intermediate storage of burnable waste. Burnable waste, such as furniture, construction and demolition timber and garden waste are crushed in an industrial crusher and then taken for energy recycling at Korstaverket.

population and threatens important global societal interests. the target of Sundsvall Energi and its owner, Sundsvall municipality, is to contribute to reducing global warming whilst providing the inhabitants of Sundsvall with an improved environment. “as a municipal company, we take wideranging responsibility for environmental issues. naturally, the aim is that our customers are always offered efficient, environmentally-friendly products. Our work on a longterm commitment to a better environment for people in Sundsvall and sustainable development has the highest priority. there is still lots left to do,” says anders Jonsson. you ArE wElComE to viSit uS, Sundsvall Energi: www.sundsvallenergi.se Fokusera: www.fokusera.com

Climate change is the greatest challenge now facing the nations of the world. a warmer climate means tangible changes for the Earth’s GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 5

letter from the publisher

highlights

Yes we can take action World! Welcome to the second magazine about green products and technology from Sweden. We want to bring knowledge, information and inspiration about green, profitable and sustainable long-term solutions from Sweden. It is now time to move from words to action. We only have one Earth to share, and the number of us that have to share it is growing rapidly. We all bear complete responsibility for what we do – and what we don’t do. We are moving from the old economy to a new, green economy. Sweden has genuine knowledge of and long experience of the subject; it is our obligation to make an active contribution to sharing this knowledge. It is a pleasant bonus for Sweden Ltd that our environmental technology companies can increase their business. We must also persuade the rest of the world to ride the train to the future. Read the article about our Minister of Trade, Ewa Björling, who is encouraging Sweden to take the forefront and lead in CleanTech. This message is in tune with the times and in the lead up to the Climate meetings in Copenhagen. Work is now beginning on building a sustainable world. The biggest challenge is that of population growth, which is stunningly depicted in Thomas Friedman’s book “Hot, flat and crowded”. The clock is ticking and by 2020 another billion people will be living, eating, working and consuming on our shared globe. We cannot continue along the same path, as then things will never change. Population growth is without doubt the greatest challenge facing us. Read about One concept and many names including Ecocycle design, the concept of eco-friendly constructions in energy efficient houses and buildings. Green Solutions from Sweden wants to convey feelings and experiences. We hope that you will put the magazine to good use and that you will encourage others to read it. You can find more suggestions for profitable green choices at www.cleantechregion.com. Welcome to the new green economy!

cover © keith Neale/ scanpix

highlights Vol.2 008.

The clean energy race The United States’ Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, has many hopes resting on his shoulders. The US alone is responsible for almost a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

020.

Swedens primeminister in focus Fredrik Reinfeldt has travelled around the world to try to seek agreement for COP15.

035.

Poverty can’t help the climate – technology can Hans Rosling is one of the world’s most engaged and appreciated lecturers who, with his revolutionary approach in describing statistics, has changed the conception of the world for many of his audience including Bill Gates and Al Gore.

Lars Ling

Project Manager, MidSweden Chamber of Commerce and Founder CleanTech Region Solutions

020. 6 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

072.

Greener seas Unique technology for cleaning exhaust gases is spreading around the world.

076.

Green roads

046.

One concept – many names Some call it ‘zero-energy housing’, others call it ‘passive housing’ or ‘plus energy housing’. “The idea is to build well-sealed and well-insulated houses ,with the energy that they need coming from a system that utilizes renewable resources in an efficient manner,” explains Thomas Greindl, EU Certified ‘passive house’ architect.

052.

Tall timber buildings Building tall buildings from timber is no longer a problem from the perspectives of quality and safety. Sweden already has many examples of successful construction projects.

063.

The hotel king “We must impose limits for what is acceptable and take payment for emissions. But I also believe in new, technological solutions.”

052.

Green produced asphalt could soon become standard.

080.

Wooden bridges Wooden bridges confer environmental benefits throughout their entire life cycle, from production and use to recycling.

096.

Another step towards sustainability

084.

Domsjö Fabriker’s operations have developed from that of a traditional pulp mill to that of a leading biorefinery. There is now a green strategy all the way from raw material to process and product.

Sundsvall is the first in the world with a wastewater treatment plant that can produce liquid biogas using cryogenic technology.

112.

Biogas using cryogenic technology

093.

Undergrund river cools Volvo Close to the Ume River and the Volvo truckfactory there is an underground ice river. Icy water is pumped via a two kilometre long pipe into the factory’s own system.

093.

A sustainable green destination Åre has been a tourist destination for a century and is now an experienced 100-year-old that is aiming for 2020 with a vision that gives a central role to responsibility for the environment.

112. GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 7

STEVEN CHU

“ When the starting gun sounded on the clean energy race, the United States stumbled”

The United States’ Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, together with the Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Energy, Maud Olofsson.

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The United States’ Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, has many hopes resting on his shoulders. The US alone is responsible for almost a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and the hope is that he will be able to push development towards reduced emissions and increased investment in clean technology. Chu uses China as an example of a country that has taken the lead on environmental investments. BY Erik Säfvenberg

PHOTO Gunnar Seijbold/Regeringsk ansliet

teven Chu is a Nobel laureate and was handpicked for the post of Secretary of Energy by President Obama. “Dr. Steven Chu is a Nobel Prizewinning physicist who has been working at the cutting edge of our nation’s effort to develop new and cleaner forms of energy... [he] is uniquely suited to be our next Secretary of Energy,” said Barack Obama in his nomination speech. Under the previous president, George W. Bush, the US withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol, the current international climate agreement, in 2001. With Barack Obama in the White House, there is hope for a change in the US’s climate policies. During the election campaign, Obama stated that he will work to reduce the US’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. Another of Obama’s campaign

promises was the investment of $150 billion in green power technology over the next decade, a promise that has now been met. As recently as the start of November 2009, Steven Chu presented an energy efficiency programme for American industry that is worth $155 million. Nine industrial projects in the US will share most of this money. These nine awards – totalling approximately $150 million – will be leveraged with $634 million in private industry cost sharing, for a total project value of up to $785 million. “To remain globally competitive, American industry needs to be energy ef-

ficient. The funding for industrial energy efficiency technologies announced today will support a robust American industrial sector and help to usher in a clean energy economy,” said Secretary Chu. “Many companies already realise that improving efficiency saves money while helping the environment. These projects will make energy efficiency technologies more widely available, cutting energy use and reducing carbon pollution across the country.” These industrial efficiency projects will result in almost 14 trillion Btu in estimated energy savings, which is equivalent to over 112 million gallons of petrol per year. Steven Chu is the former head of the

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California, commonly known as Berkeley Lab. It is one of the world’s most respected research institutions for Physics, with an annual budget equivalent to almost SEK 5 billion and employing 4000 researchers. Chu, who grew up in Garden City, New Jersey, and has Chinese parents, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997, along with two colleagues, for his work on trapping electrons and cooling them to close to absolute zero. Recently he has concentrated much of his research on finding methods for increasing the rechargeability of batteries so that they can be used for cars. Before becoming Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu was involved in advocating research into greenhouse gas emissions and has accused the UN’s Environmental Programme of underestimating the problems of greenhouse gases.

He has also stated that the US has fallen behind in environmental investment and uses his parents’ homeland, China, as an example of a country that really invests significant sums in environmental technology. “China has already made its choice. China is spending about $9 billion a month on clean energy. It will also invest $44 billion by 2012 and $88 billion by 2020 in Ultra High Voltage transmission lines. These lines will allow China to transmit power from huge wind and solar farms far from its cities. While every country’s transmission needs are different, this is a clear sign of China’s commitment to developing renewable energy.” He also uses a Danish example, and

again points out that the US has fallen behind. “The world’s largest turbine manufacturing company is headquartered in Denmark. 99 percent of the batteries that power America’s hybrid cars are made in Japan. We manufactured more than 40 percent of the world’s solar cells as recently as the mid 1990s; today, we produce just 7 percent. When the starting gun sounded on the clean energy race, the United States stumbled. But I remain confident that we can make up the ground. When we gear up our research and production of clean energy technologies, we can still surpass any other country,” Secretary Chu said. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 9

m asdar cit y

Masdar City is a complete city whose electricity supply comes from solar panels, waste and windpower; that receives its drinking water with the help of a solar powered desalination plant; where green areas are watered with bath, dishwashing and washing water and where there are no cars. BY Gunnar Andersson

City of the future

t may seem to be contradictory that the world’s largest oil exporters build a car-free community, yet in some way Abu Dhabi wants to lead development both regionally and globally on the renewable market. The city will become a part of the Masdar initiative, which is a multifaceted investment plan that the emirate Abu Dhabi is making to extract, develop and commercialize future sources of energy and environmental technologies. Behind Masdar City is the energy company “The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company”, which has adopted an action plan for sustainability in order to deliver the world’s greenest city. 10 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

masdar city 2015 When Masdar City is completed in 2015 the city shall satisfy ten established objectives: 1. Carbon-neutral: To be achieved through solar cells, concentrated solar energy, wind, energy from waste and other technologies. 2. Zero-waste: 99 percent of waste shall not go to landfill. This is to be achieved through a reduction in the amount waste as well as reuse, recycling, composting and the incineration of waste. 3. Sustainable transport: Carbon-neutral transport is to be achieved through facilitating and encouraging public transport, vehicle sharing and through supporting the initiative of low emission vehicles. 4. Sustainable materials: Building materials are to have a high specified content of recovered material. It shall be possible to trace and encourage a reduction of the energy content in materials and through the entire construction process. It must be specified that sustainable materials such as bamboo and timber marked with the ecolabel Forest Stewardship Council have been used. 5. Sustainable food: Shops are to meet established targets for the delivery of organic food and sustainable or fair-trade labeled products. 6. Sustainable water usage: Water consumption per capita must be reduced to half of the national average and all bath, dishwashing and washing water is to be reused. 7. Living environments and animals: All valuable species are to be protected or relocated. 8. Cultural heritage: The architecture must integrate local values. 9. Justice and fair trade: Fair wages and working conditions for all workers, including construction workers, according to international standards for working life. 10. Health and happiness: Facilities and activities for all demographic groups.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 11

m asdar cit y

The idea is that Masdar City will eventually accommodate 1500 companies and 50 000 inhabitants.

Masdar City is to be a six square kilometer

large city, located in the emirate Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The aim is to create a carbon-neutral and zero-waste city completely without cars. And in doing so it is hopped to meet or exceed the ten sustainability principles for “One Planet Living”, which has been developed by, among others, the World Wildlife Fund, WWF. The idea is for the city to eventually accommodate 1500 companies and 50,000 inhabitants. Masdar will receive its electrical power, partly from waste management, but also from a large solar

cell installation and from windpower. The energy installations are to be located in the green belt around the city. Technology development companies will also be housed in the green zone. Studies and research will be carried out together with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The hope is to attract 1500 companies to environment-friendly living and work in Masdar. The city is also to be characterized by the sustainable profile during the construction period and only machines and transport vehicles that do not produce emissions will be used here. n

AMBASSADOR SEEKS GREEN TECHNOLOGY The United Arab Emirates’ Swedish ambassador, Najla Al Qassimi, (pictured in the middle) visited Väster norrland in October to meet Clean Tech Region. Apart from discussions with Dick Jansson, Chamber of Commerce, Lars Ling, Clean Tech Region and the consultant Lena Malmberg, she also visited the solar collector company Absolicon in Härnösand. “We are known for our oil production, but we believe other means are needed to solve future energy

12 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

requirements. There are many ideas here that can be useful to us. I believe it to be important to travel outside of Stockholm and create contact with the Cleantech companies throughout the country,” says Najla Al Qassimi. In the United Arab Emirates the project to build Masdar City is underway; this is to be a model city with regard to energy and the environment. The hope is that companies from Clean Tech Region can contribute with leading edge technologies necessary to reach the goal.

– the fully automatic railway carriage

– Substantial environmental benefits – Extremely easy to load and unload – Cost-efficient and time saving

Long-term sustainable development and transport economy go hand in hand A transition to more railway-based transports is necessary in order to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide, road maintenance and to increase the traffic safety. Flexiwaggon is a unique logistic solution for combining transports between road and railway and contributes to more environmentally friendly, financially viable and rational transports.

A new and unique solution facilitating the combination of goods-carrying transports on the railway and the roads in Sweden, Europe and the rest of the world. GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 13

For more information, please contact Jan Eriksson, Flexiwaggon AB, +46 70 564 50 18

www.flexiwaggon.se

14 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

GUNTER PAULI

In his coming book “The Blue Economy” super-entrepreneur Gunter Pauli gives 100 concrete examples of innovative concepts and technologies that can create a sustainable world. BY olof axelsson

photo Olle Melkerhed

“ Entrepreneurship is the route to a sustainable society”

ver since his days as a young student at home in Belgium Gunter Pauli has burned for an improved world. During the years he has started a large number of companies and has written over a dozen books. Today he is at Tokyo-based Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives. He says, “My driving force is to create a world in which we look after the environment, both today and in the future. I have four children myself which makes these ideas more relevant.” His message is that new financial models function if you allow greater opportunity for innovation and creativity. “The industrial systems need a package of new innovations. An entrepreneur dares to try out new ideas and is prepared to take risks. That’s exactly what’s needed in order to produce change.” Gunter Pauli develops these thoughts in his

book “The Blue Economy – Cultivating a New Business Model for a Time of Crisis”. The book is being presented as a report to The Club of Rome in October 2009 and will be published in February 2010. “The title alludes to how the earth appears from space: it’s not green but blue. Blue also symbolizes that it is time to abandon “the green argument” that the customer has to pay more for environmentally-friendly products, and that industry has to do more. By copying nature’s own evolution we can instead invest less, gain more and create social capital.” He mentions the technology used to refine foodstuffs and biodiesel from algae as an example.

Algae that at the same time reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and thereby slow the impact on the climate. Another example is mobile telephones. “Despite the fact that we have the technology to run mobile telephones entirely without batteries we use enormous amounts every year. Using new methods the telephone can instead be run on the temperature difference between the telephone and the body, or the pressure that our voice creates when we talk.” The book also contains several examples

from the Clean Tech Region. Among others the architect Anders Nyquist’s ecological house is mentioned, as well as air purification technology Levande Filter (Living Filter), and the energy and drainage system Split Box. “When I participated in the Clean Tech Region conference in Sundsvall in January 2009 I spoke about Swedish innovation. When I participate in the Åre conference in January 2010 I’ll be concentrating on examples from other parts of the world”, says Gunter Pauli. n

gunter pauli Gunter Pauli was born in Belgium in 1956 and is a qualified economist. Today he is a highly-regarded entrepreneur and speaker who lecture all over the world. He has started the world’s first ecological factory and has built up the Worldwatch Institute Europa and Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives. He is fluent in seven languages and has written over a dozen books, including a number of books for children.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 15

ECONOMY

Business more important than technology A strong business-minded psyche is needed to achieve success in the field of Cleantech. Hans Engblom, Senior Investment Manager at Swedish SEB Venture Capital says, “There has to be an entrepreneur who can both build a business and attract capital.” BY per trostemo

photo keith neale/scanpix

ans Engblom of SEB Venture Capital explains, “Cleantech is something that nowadays is a concern to all sectors and I believe that it soon will become an integrated part of the industry. We don’t put aside any funding specifically for Cleantech, but we’re always interested in investing capital in environmental technology companies that have progressed sufficiently for us to be able to believe in a market expansion. “ But that particular road can be a long one and Hans thinks it is important that environmental technology companies at an early stage shift focus from technology to customer demands and commerce. Hans continues, “The marketing potential of the

environmental innovators is dependent on several factors. There has to be an entrepreneur who has knowledge of the customer demands. In order to attract venture capital there is also a requirement for credible indications that the product concerned can change the market. Some sort of commercial acknowledgement from the potential customers is extremely important and is ad16 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

A little of everything about Environmental Funds

Hans Engblom

ditionally a frequently understated source for early financing. It should preferably be something that the customers “must have” and not just think is “nice to have”. Something that makes the customers say, “aha - this is what will solve our problems”! Hans Engblom continues,

“Within Venture Capital we’re mainly more demanding than the general capital market is. That might sound somewhat harsh, but for us it’s simply not enough with a unique product concept and a large market. An entrepreneur must be able to make his business plan credible. He has to prove his driving force in order to build a company. As far as we’re concerned, business is more important than technology. The management’s ability to execute the business plan is vital. Global ambitions are important as the competition most frequently lies with global actors. If these criteria can be satisfied it will be easier to invest at an early stage.” A further factor that innovators in the field of environmental technology ought to take into consideration is the industry’s way of seeing investment, according to Hans Engblom. “If you want to achieve success with a product that is focused on industrial activities, you’ll first have to understand how they think. Industry is happy to invest in anything that will be environmentally beneficial, but not if it entails higher production costs.” n

Environmental Funds can be said to be a sub-group of Ethical Funds, where the ethical dimension is decided by the environmental area. Environmental Funds can be divided into three main types: • Environmental Technology Funds. Investing in environmental technology, for example manufacture of windpower plants, solar energy accumulators, biofuels, refuse management, filter technology, ethanol-driven engines, etc. • ‘Best-In-Class’ Environmental Funds.Investing in companies considered to be the best according to established environmental criteria. These criteria are most often the companies’ organization of their environmental efforts, i.e., that the company can prove that they are working strategically on environmental issues. • Environmental Funds with a social dimension.Frequently combine a selection according to the ‘Best-In-Class’ principle with social criteria, in order to achieve a trinity of economy, and social and environmental responsibility. The latter group, Environmental Funds with a social dimension, are increasing in number, whilst pure Environmental Technology Funds are becoming fewer.

Underground heating at boiling point The climate question is the driver for Cleantech as an investment area, with the energy segment by many observers being considered as the most interesting issue both now and in the future. That’s where geothermal and underground heating sources start to make their presence felt on the capital market. Geothermal and underground heating sources are the energy forms that are making investors warm the world over. A new study from McKinsey & Company shows that a reduced energy consumption in buildings is the least expensive way in which to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Geothermal and underground pumps have proven themselves to be particularly capable of producing a longterm and steady reduction of energy consumption in buildings. Until very recently, however, the Venture Capital market has not shown any real interest in geothermal and underground heating sources. Installations of geothermal and underground heating systems have generally been ‘small-scale’ projects financed by householders and building owners themselves. New business models for large-scale geothermal and underground heating projects are, however, on the horizon. In Canada, for example, geologists have started a pioneering company in which they themselves carry the risk for production and delivery, and also own the plants and the equipment required for a large-scale production of geothermal and underground heating. And suddenly the Venture Capital is there!!

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 17

ECONOMY

18 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

ECONOMY

Billionaire with focus on the environment The known financier Christer Ericsson was the placard’s favorite object when his oil rig company Consafe crashed some 25 years ago. However, Christer is a survivor and made a fresh start. Today the 64 year old former sea captain has built up the highly successful group JCE Group with 4000 employees. The business areas are IT, energy, forestry, construction, industry and finance. From being destitute, Christer now has plenty of money in his pocket, and here gives his opinion of environment technology as a business sector. BY per trostemo

photo SÖREN HÅK ANLIND/SCANPIX

How do you consider environment technology in general – is it an area where the JCE Group will increase its involvement? “We have been committed to environment technologies since 2003. We have expanded strongly within biopellets and windpower at sea. So sure we are involved. We are also involved in ocean current energy through our Scottish operations.” Do you support research or other development work within environment technology? “We invest a great deal of money in developing ourselves within the environmental sectors where we are active. How much is confidential. We prefer internal R&D ahead of external research.” Is there anything within environment technology you consider to be of great interest? “All three areas in which we are involved are interesting.” Within environment technology there are many researchers/inventors/politicians that are perhaps more driven by idealism

and enthusiasm than of business. What do you think about that? “Well, this is one of the reasons as to why we develop internally. Our objective must be that what we develop must be possible to sell.” There are those who believe that environment technology is becoming as attractive to investors as IT was 10-20 years ago. What do you say about that? “I think it’s an exaggeration. I find it difficult to believe that environment technology will be a new IT bubble.” Some venture capitalists believe they lack industry know-how about environment technology and that communications do not work that well, and this is why they do not speculate with risk capital. Do you have an opinion about this? “This is always a problem when trying to get communications to work. The fact is that 3.2 tons of biopellets have the same energy content as 1 ton of oil. One ton of oil costs more than SEK 10,000, 3.2 tons of pellets cost around half that amount. Add to this the fact that oil is ecologically

harmful and biopellets contribute to a better environment. I find the investor that does not see a business potential in this hard to understand.” Communications work both ways. Perhaps many environment technology companies find it difficult to put forward their interesting business opportunities? Do you believe that Sweden can continue to have an advanced position within the development of environment technology? If yes, how? “Absolutely We are the best in many areas within environment technology. As is well-known, we are the country in the world that has the toughest environmental demands up until 2020. Why – because EU believes we have come the furthest within environment technology. It is now my hope that Swedish industry can capitalize on this and makes sure we export environment technology to other countries. Within my group we have the aim to be the world leader within biopellets and the fabrication of steel foundations for the windpower industry at sea. Today everything is exported”. n GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 19

fredrik reinfeldt

Sweden’s prime minister in focus The EU has taken the lead on climate issues since 2007 and, in the autumn of 2009, they have taken centre stage globally. Sweden’s presidency of the EU in the second half of 2009 means that Sweden’s prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, has suddenly become an international statesman. BY Gunnar Andersson

photos Gunnar Seijbold/Regeringsk ansliet

20 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Sweden’s prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, as EU chairman, and its president, José Manuel Barroso, meet India’s prime minister Manmohan Singh.

lobal emissions must be reduced by 50 percent by 2050, compared to 1990. It is the developed countries that must take the lead in reducing their emissions. The EU has succeeded in establishing a joint long term target for reducing emissions by 80-95 percent by 2050. There was a great deal of pressure on the Swedish prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, to ensure that he managed to unify a splintered EU on the climate issue. One of the toughest episodes he’s faced as EU chairman was when he got the EU member states to agree on a mandate for the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. “We have accepted the challenge,” said prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, after he succeeded in uniting the EU member states ahead of the climate talks in Copenhagen. But there were conflicts, as well as concessions to the EU’s eastern members, before the EU mandate was secured.

Obama praised Reinfeldt for his way of approaching climate issues and Sweden’s leading role. Even if all the indications are that a legally

binding agreement will not be reached at the COP15 conference in Copenhagen, Fredrik Reinfeldt believes it is obvious that Obama has brought change to the US and the start of a policy of change as regards the issue of climate change. At Reinfeldt’s EU summit with India’s prime minister, Manmohan Singh, climate issues were at the top of the agenda. One of the decisions made

“

Efforts from only the EU are not enough

and, before the UN climate conference in Copenhagen, COP15, Fredrik Reinfeldt has travelled around the world to try to seek agreement. In this short time he has met the president of the USA, Barack Obama, and India’s prime minister Manmohan Singh and led an EU summit with China. After the meeting at the White House,

he Kyoto Protocol was not finalised T in 1997, but in 2001.

by the EU and India was for joint investments in various green technology projects. “India has great potential when it comes to energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy,” said Reinfeldt after the meeting. The Copenhagen conference will probably only result in a politically binding agreement. However, that agreement can be regarded as the start of a process towards a legally binding agreement and give the negotiators time ahead of the next year’s planned summit in Mexico City. Reinfeldt’s opinion is that Copenhagen is not the end of the line. n GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 21

Ewa björling

Sweden a global key player The issue of climate change is one of the most important ones facing the Swedish government and green technology will play an important role in the transition to a climate-friendlier society. Ewa Björling, Sweden’s Minister for Trade, is convinced that Swedish companies can contribute to reduced emissions and an improved environment. “Sweden may be a small country, but will be a key player globally,” says Ewa Björling in an opinion column in the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper. BY Gunnar Andersson

photos Gunnar Seijbold/Regeringsk ansliet

development and demonstrations of new vehicle technology are important elements of the government’s investments in developing green technology. One important key to success is finding tools to tackle climate change that do not conflict with ambitious policies for development and combating poverty. In May, Ewa Björling suggested that a green free trade agreement should be negotiated. The aim of that agreement should be to entirely remove tariffs, quotas and other trade barriers for environmentally and climate-friendly goods, services and technologies. Ewa Björling, Sweden’s Minister for Trade, is convinced that Swedish companies can contribute to reduced emissions and an improved environment.

reen technology is a field of great importance to the Swedish government, because it is a perfect tool for reducing negative environmental effects whilst being an area with an enormous potential for trade. “We are convinced that the climate threat can become an opportunity. Concentrated efforts to support Swedish green technology will enable us to 22 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

show that Sweden can and will wear the leader’s jersey for this transition,” says Ewa Björling in the same column. For the 2007–2010 period, Swe-

den’s government has allocated a total of SEK 530 million to green technology, and is particularly emphasising the importance of making the most of the business and export potential of small and medium-sized businesses. Research,

“We can best meet the challenge

of climate change through new technology, market solutions and international cooperation ,” she states in the opinion column. Minister for Trade Ewa Björling has also launched a new Swedish export platform to market Swedish green technology and sustainable construction around the world. The “SymbioCity” platform is aimed at cities that want to achieve sustainable development, and brings together several hundred Swedish companies. The concept is scalable and can be applied to new construction and renovations of existing buildings. n

Energy from the forest

www.forestproducts.sca.com

wind-power production in Sweden – an investment totaling SEK 16 billion. Our growing forests bind carbon dioxide, provide valuable raw materials for Sweden’s most important industry and provide renewable electricity – without the need for burning first-class industrial raw materials to produce energy.

SCA FOREST PRODUCTS

MELLERSTEDT DESIGN

SCA and the Norwegian power company Statkraft are investing heavily in wind power. The two companies will construct six wind farms in the woodlands of central Norrland, with a total of 450 wind turbines. When fully constructed, this venture will generate 2,400 GWh of renewable electricity per year, corresponding to 2% of Sweden’s total electricity consumption, and three times the current

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 23

Stockhol m

Stockholm – a in green tech

24 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

world leader hnology The City of Stockholm has an extremely ambitious environmental programme and is aiming at remaining a world leader in the development, commercialisation and application of new environmental and energyrelated technology. BY per trostemo

photo henrik trygg

he City of Stockholm promotes and uses new environmental and energy-related technology in almost all areas of its activities. Waste disposal using pneumatic suction pipes below ground, from residential areas straight to the district heating plant, is just one of many examples where new, environmentally friendly methods are used. Another one is Hammarby Sjöstad and the planned Norra Djurgårdsstad; two area that will put Stockholm on the global map of cities at the cutting edge of sustainable urban construction. “The city is growing, we need new residential areas, office property, etc. This means that we are an important customer. It is important that we keep up with the technological developments that are taking place, and we have good partnerships with higher education institutes as well,” says Ulla Hamilton, head of Stockholm’s environment and traffic divisions. The City of Stockholm is also responsible for a number of efforts to develop research, nationally and internationally, in innovations and business models in the field of environmental technology. Sweden Green Tech Building is an are-

na for green business – a meeting place and trading centre for companies and individuals that is run on business and an interest in green technology.

The building provides publicity for those at the cutting edge of Swedish green technology and attracts businesspeople, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day is an event at Kistamässan

exhibition centre. It creates direct contact between young and promising Swedish cleantech companies and investors from the US and Europe. The event helps Swedish companies with solutions to urgent climate problems to find financing faster and more easily. Stockholm Cleantech Business Network is a targeted initiative

that aims to gather the leading small and mediumsized cleantech businesses in Stockholm area. STING – Stockholm Innovation & Growth – helps innova-

tors and entrepreneurs to build the international growth businesses of the future. With the support of business coaches who are experienced in industry, STING contributes to helping grow new Swedish technology companies that can compete on the international stage and generate exports. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 25

Stockhol m

Stockholm – European Green Capital 2010 Stockholm is waiting in the wings before taking the stage as European Green Capital 2010. BY per trostemo

n hard competition with other European capitals, Stockholm was chosen by the European Commission due to “the city’s consistent record of achieving high environmental standards; a commitment to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development”. Due to its measures to solve the problems of air pollution, high traffic volumes and congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management and water purification, the European Commission believes that Stockholm can lead the way for the rest of Europe. “It feels great that

Stockholm’s long term work with environmental issues has received international recognition. The title gives our city’s businesses great opportunities to sell their green technology and skills and also Ulla Hamilton create interest in the City of Stockholm and our development. By sharing our experiences and working methods, we can contribute to other cities around the world being able to combine growth with reduced environmental impact,” says Ulla Hamilton, head of Stockholm’s environment and traffic divisions. The title will influence all of the city’s activities in 2010, with everything from exhibitions at Kulturhuset to the opening of the Spårväg City tramline. n 26 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

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vironmental impact is a sales point in a world of climate stress, where

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mental issues that is unique in the industry. We use this to assure our customers’ messages, so that all communication is grounded in facts

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GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 27

sweden green tech building

Sweden Green Tech Building

a national arena A bustling meeting place and trading centre, Sweden Green Tech Building in Stockholm has rapidly become a melting pot for individuals and companies that are driven by business and green technology. BY per trostemo

photo Birger Larsson

fter an initiative from Swedish trade and industry, Stockholm has got a “green” meeting place for businesspeople, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and other interested parties. All of them have one thing in common – they are driven by an interest in environmental technology. “In just a few months we’ve had around 40 activities and the building is very well-visited, not least by foreign delegations,” says Anders Pettersson, satisfied project manager for Sweden Green Tech Building. Twenty or so companies and

organisations can be found in the exhibition halls, where visitors visually experience what Sweden can offer as regards green technology. “We have many successful innovators and businesses in energy and environmental technology, but I would particularly like to emphasise the systematic thinking that is Sweden’s unique strength. This is why we present the entire chain of our system solutions, products and services in a manner that is easy to grasp.” This is particularly important for the investors and venture capitalists that 28 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

are becoming increasingly interested in Swedish green technology – they have a need for information and understanding of this new sector. At Sweden Green Tech Building

there is also intensive networking – there are direct contacts to companies and expertise in financing, legal issues, engineering and marketing; everything necessary for success in green business. “We now have an arena in which Swedish energy and environmental technology can be exposed to new business. Our focus is on contributing the right business models in order to ensure a return on investment,” says Anders Pettersson. “The global crisis has not negatively affected the investors’ interest in Swedish environmental technology; just as much was invested in 2008 as in 2007 in young Swedish greentech companies. We can see that the need for it is increasing on all markets.” Contributing factors for the Swedish investments in the Sweden Green Tech Building are also Sweden’s position as chair of the EU and the European Commission’s announcement that, next year, Stockholm will be the first Green Capital in Europe. n

for green business

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

e now have an arena in W which Swedish energy and environmental technology can be exposed to new business.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 29

royal court of sweden

The Royal Court is interested in the environment 30 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

The Think electric car will be used experimentally by Court staff.

King Carl XIV Gustaf of Sweden celebrates National Day on 6 June.

The Royal Court of Sweden has a great interest in the environment and green technology. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, the Queen and Crown Princess Victoria have displayed this in public on many occasions. BY Gunnar Andersson

is Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf is commited to environmental issues. Ever since 1992, the envionmental symposium, Royal Colloquium, has been organised on the initiative of the King. It is an international environmental symposium with researchers and experts from around the world. Both the King and the Crown Princess are also happy to appear as opening speakers at environmental meetings, conferences and inaugurations. One example is the opening of a new factory owned by the green tech company, ClimateWell, in the Spanish city of Soria. ClimateWell has developed a solar-powered heating and refrigeration plant and the British newspaper, The Guardian, has named it as one of the world’s 100 most promising low-carbon technologies. Another example of this green commit-

ment is when King Carl Gustaf turned the first sod for the construction of the world’s first plant for producing the renewable motor fuel, Bio-DME. The plant is being built by Chemrec, close to the company’s development unit at Smurfit Kappa’s pulp and paper mill in Piteå. The pilot plant will produce Bio-DME that is derived from Swed-

ish forest raw products. Bio-DME is made from evaporated black liquor, which is a by-product of the Swedish timber industry. The King and Queen have also shown their interest by test rising an ethanol hybrid bus when visiting the municipality of Salem, outside Stockholm. Stockholms Lokaltrafik has the world’s largest fleet of ethanol buses, to which is biogas buses are continually being added. The target is tough and unequivocal: in 2025, all buses will run on renewable, green fuel. The Royal Court of Sweden is also involved

in an electric car project. The Think electric car will be used experimentally by Court staff. Crown Princess Victoria will keep this environmental interest alive. She has demonstrated her green commitments on a number of occasions, including at opening speeches and environmental conferences. In an interview with Sweden’s biggest newspaper, Aftonbladet, she says that she has been influenced by her father, who has long been environmentally aware. The Crown Princess also states that she is concerned about global warming and that, as often as possible, she takes the train instead of flying. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 31

Looking for Swedish cleantech? swentec.se/find_cleantech

In Sweden, we have compiled a great deal of knowledge and experience regarding cleantech. At www.swentec.se/find_cleantech you will find Swedish products and plants that will provide profits for both your wallet and the environment. You can search the entire chain; from sustainable built environment, plants and industrial solutions to companies that have provided the product or service. A map function can assist you in finding the right partner and perhaps also in planning your next business or study visit.

32 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN Swentec, the Swedish Environmental Technology Council, is commissioned by the government to develop an effective national structure to increase the growth of Swedish cleantech. www.swentec.se

THE PEAK REGION The Peak Region [ði ˈpi:k ˈri:ʤən] – a European centre for research and business development within tourism, sport and the outdoors – covers the areas of Åre, Krokom and Östersund in Mid Sweden. It includes international research environments that focus on winter sports and tourism, some of the world’s foremost brands in outdoor products, dedicated sporting interests with elite athletes and Olympic gold medallists, as well as having public bodies as committed stakeholders. It has hosted the Alpine World Championships in Åre in 2007 and the World Biathlon Championships in Östersund in 2008. It is famous as a multinational, innovative playground for young, creative talent and as a cooperative region with the ambition to be a world-leader through sustainable growth.

www.peakinnovation.se GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 33

34 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Hans rosling

Poverty can’t help the climate – technology can By describing the world through statistics Hans Rosling has shown a world where more and more countries are taking social and economic strides as no country has previously done before. The world is becoming better, yet he regrets that the high income countries have not made any serious investments in environment friendly technologies. BY Erik Säfvenberg

“I

t is a bizarre idea that the majority of people in the world must do without electricity while most the of richest countries are allowed to destroy the climate at a slightly lower rate than today. The richest countries must invest serious sums in the development of green technology. At the present time only a fraction of what is spent on agricultural subventions is invested,” says Rosling Hans Rosling is one of the world’s most

engaged and appreciated lecturers who, with his revolutionary approach in describing statistics, has changed the conception of the world for many of his audience including Bill Gates and Al Gore. The lecture he held in Monterey 2006, which can be watched on Youtube and which has been seen by more than 1 million people, opened the doors to speak about anything from the OECD World forum to Google’s Zeitgeist event. The software he used to present the statistics with was purchased by Google and is now free to be used by anyone. Rosling has worked with global health as a researcher and lecturer at Uppsala university

and Karolinska Institutet for more than 25 years. He has been an advisor for example to Sida and WHO and is also one of the founders of the Gapminder foundation, which contributes toward good global development by making statistics easier to use and understand. What Hans Rosling presented in 2006, with such an effect, was that the third world, as it is usually defined, no longer exists. He took two of the characteristics that have defined the third world, average length of life and the number of children per family, and showed that the majority of the countries in the world are now grouped in high average length of life and few children. Instead he wanted to speak about “the bottom billion”, the billion of the world’s population that live in poverty. Many of these live under instable leadership and are ravaged by civil war. With his statistical tool he has also

shown that an increasing number of countries have a rapid economic and social development. “Regarding countries that have conditions on the same level as Sweden had before 1900 my students say: “They will never be able to live

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 35

Hans rosling

“

I f the world only starts to act seriously together and invest money where it does the greatest good we will succeed in making the world a better place for everyone within one to two generations.

Rosling is also a sword swallower, as demonstrated in the final moments of his second talk at the TED conference.

like us”. I ask myself why not? Sweden has made the same journey and countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt and Brazil have a faster development rate than what Sweden has ever had. They are already catching up. He also points out that the development rate will influence the climate. India and China are building new coal-fired power plants at a furious pace to meet the need of electricity and they do it because coal-fired power plants are the cheapest way for them to produce electricity. He is surprised over some people in rich countries who still believe in the idea that countries experiencing rapid development should refrain from the comforts that we in the high income countries enjoy, for example washing machines, just because the climate is threatened. “The Message ‘Stay poor – save the

climate’ is unreasonable. Carbon dioxide emissions in China, for example, are soon on a level with those of the USA, but that is because China has a far greater population, emissions 36 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

per inhabitant are only a fraction in China compared to USA. USA discharges 20 tons per person, China only three tons. Saying that China discharges as much as USA is the same as saying China’s collected population weighs more than USA’s and are therefore fatter and should diet. You must count per capita. Rosling also emphasizes that USA

invests three federal billions per annum on green technology, the same sum that China generates and saves in three days. But also that companies in the USA invest more in green technology than the Government does. “Therefore I am also optimistic for the future. The money is there, so is the capacity and the needs are identified. If the world only starts to act seriously together and invest money where it does the greatest good we will succeed in making the world a better place for everyone within one to two generations. This is why meetings such as COP15 are so important,” says Hans Rosling. Read more at gapminder.org n

midsweden cha mber of commerce

In green industries the market is crying out for sustainable, cleantech solutions, and the Midsweden Chamber of Commerce is an important tool for these companies and their growth. “By taking the initiative for the Cleantech Region we want to improve export potential for Swedish business,” says Dick Jansson, managing director of the Midsweden Chamber of Commerce. BY per trostemo

photo olle melkerhed

– a helping hand for businesses

t’s not overstating matters to say that Sweden is a world-leader in the research and development of cleantech. It has unique expertise in work with sustainable environmental technology, but when it comes to doing business with this expertise there is still a great deal to be done. The Midsweden Chamber of Commerce is one of the national stakeholders that is actively working to improve cleantech companies’ business opportunities. “The market is crying out for green solutions and we want businesses to focus on the business opportunities that are opening up. We are a tool for these businesses and are here to help create growth. This is one of the reasons why we have initiated the Cleantech Region and publish the Green Solutions magazine. “We want to contribute profession-

al marketing that highlights our products and system solutions in environmental technology,” says Dick Jansson, managing director of the Midsweden Chamber of Commerce. He points out that the Cleantech Region should be seen as something that stretches far outside the borders of Mid Sweden. “As a concept, it has no geographic limits. Our starting point is Norrland, but throughout Sweden it is necessary to help

means it is vital to build networks – companies find it difficult to reach out if they are isolated and on their own. “That’s why it is so important that we get it right and create strong domestic networks. In this context, we have to be better at displaying facilities with green tech efficiencies and successful, environmentally friendly solutions. For example, major public investments such as combined heat and power plants, water purification plants and waste management have many suppliers in the form of private small businesses with significant expertise in environmental technology. One particular EU project in the region focuses on developing good demo facilities (see page 83). Dick Jansson believes that trade Dick Jansson, managing director of the Midsweden Chamber of Commerce.

each other to meet environmental targets and complete the transition from an old to a green economy. Shared efforts are also necessary in order to increase the export of products and expertise in green trade and industry. We must get better at packaging, profiling and marketing our products – and we need more active sales.” Sweden has a wealth of small businesses that are active in green tech, which

and industry cannot avoid green tech as an area with great growth potential, and the Midsweden Chamber of Commerce welcomes all companies, ideas and initiatives that can contribute to the development of business opportunities. “We also want to help companies to develop good business models, to contact financiers and to market themselves abroad. Another vital factor that we want to highlight is the design of products and services. The launch of the Cleantech Region is a step in the right direction.” n GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 37

kol jern

A house of foamglass

A whole house built from recycled bottles and crushed glass from cars. In Njurunda, outside Sundsvall, an entire house has been built from cellular glass for the first time in Sweden. The walls, roof and foundation are made from cellular glass sheets, which are joined together. It is a prototype for a fully damp-proof house with low operating costs. BY nina gunne, architect

photos per berger

ke Mård is an engineer and the man responsible for the patented Koljern construction system, where sheets of cellular glass are joined to make building elements and reinforced with u-profile lightweight girders. He believes that this material can solve many contemporary problems regarding moisture, climate and energy conservation. Cellular glass is made from 95% air, which provides good insulation, enclosed in glass that primarily comes from recycled bottles and car glass. Cellular glass has been used in construction for more than 40 years. Turning Torso in Malmö, Dunkers Kulturhus in Helsingborg and the Royal Library in Copenhagen are just a few buildings with foam glass in their foundations. Pittsburgh Corning is the

world’s foremost producer of cellular glass insulation, Foamglass. Pittsburgh Corning Scandinavia AB has supplied Foamglass to Åke Mård’s project in Njurunda and interest is now being shown by several other countries. Foamglass sounds like a beautiful cladding material, shimmering like ice, but a façade is delicate and the house in Njurunda, which was built as a private home, is covered with wood panelling and the roof is sheet metal. Previously, cellular glass was only 38 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Will Smith finds inspiration in Timrå BY Gunnar Andersson

In Njurunda, outside Sundsvall, an entire house has been built from cellular glass for the first time in Sweden.

used in foundations, but one aim of the house in Njurunda was to show that it’s possible to build a whole house from it. In Njurunda, cellular glass was used for both environmental and energy reasons. The house’s power consumption is estimated to be around 30-40 kWh per square metre, including water and heating. The are 30 inbuilt sensors in order to evaluate the results. In Njurunda, Åke Mård is partnered by the architect Anders Nyquist, who has worked with life cycle-adapted houses for 40 years, based on a model called EcoCycle design. The choice of cellular glass is just

part of the whole concept of the building that Anders Nyquist and Åke Mård have created together. “It’s all about system thinking in construction,” says Åke Mård. “Foamglass allows us to build fireproof houses. They

can cope with firestorms at temperatures of 300-600°C through the installation of special fireproof hatches for windows and doors. These houses are valuable in California, Australia, Greece and Spain. Åke Mård believes in a flourishing future for this building material. “Its investment cost is 5-10 percent more expensive, but the monthly cost for the homeowner is SEK 500-1000 less than in a conventionally built house,” he says. However, Åke Mård thinks that

tension between architects and consultants with different views on energy and environmentally friendly construction are hindering development. “Consultants and businesses that work with the construction of low-energy buildings should cooperate more. If we can sit down at the same table and talk, we can get a long way towards low-energy buildings with long-term sustainability.” n

Swedish life cycle construction according to the EcoCycleDesign model is now spreading around the world. After several Japanese projects, Swedish life cycle construction has now grabbed the attention of Hollywood celebrity Will Smith. The actor Will Smith is famous for his roles in the films “Men in Black”, “Ali” and “I am Legend”, and also as a rap artist. It is perhaps less known that he and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, are involved in financing and running a school, New Village Academy in Los Angeles. He is now looking for land on which to build a new school and, after his contacts with Anders Nyquist and the EcoCycleDesign concept, the life cycle-designed school in Laggarberg will be the model for the new school. Will Smith’s school will, just like Laggarberg, bring together technical solutions in water, drainage, ventilation and energy. The children at Laggarberg school, which Anders Nyquist designed as a pilot project fourteen years ago, have also received a personal greeting from Will Smith. The famous actor signed a poster with “Change the World”. n

The Koljern technique The Koljern technique consists of cellular glass modules: 600x1200 mm insulating sheets of cellular glass that is reinforced by u-profile lightweight girders, 50 mm or 100 mm thick. The modules have a bearing function and also provide insulation. They can be used in curtain walling as well. The material cannot be used in the open, as it will freeze and crack. Energy consumption is estimated to be 15-25 kWh per square metre/year for an apartment block, slightly more than this in a detached house. Cellular glass is 75% recycled glass from empty bottles and car glass, 9 percent air bubbles in glass mass that is impervious to moisture, and sand.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 39

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40 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Symbiocit y

SYMBIOCITY – THE SWEDISH APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY The international market for environmental technology is undergoing rapid growth, as climate and energy issues are increasingly coming to the fore. With continuing urbanisation environmental technology and know-how concerning sustainable urban development will be required in both industrialised and developing countries. BY gunnar andersson

n the 70’s, Sweden was the most oil dependent country in the industrialized part of the world. Drawing on trial and error and step by step improvements, the country eventually took a new approach to sustainability; one that is holistic, looking at the broad picture of the problems. After taking a leading role in organizing the first UN conference on the environment – held in Stockholm in 1972 – Sweden is today one of the few industrialized countries to have reduced carbon emissions combined with economic growth. Between 1990 and 2006, emissions declined almost 9 percent. Over the same period, the economy grew 44 percent. This shows that it is possible to combine economic growth with an improved environment.

To gather all knowledge and experience to the Swedish approach to sustainability, the concept and trademark “SymbioCity” was launched in 2008. It emphasises renewable resources and resource management that minimise waste and optimize recovery and reuse. It also encourages the development of new and better system solutions as well as the most efficient use of natural resources. The key to success for the Symbio

City concept is to offer a more scalable model which may be adapted to different development levels of cities and towns as well as different planning situations. Another key to success is to deliver value – getting more for less. During last year SymbioCity was presented at more than 30 international

exhibitions, seminars and delegation visits around the world. It has been very well received and Tangshan in China, Toronto in Canada, Pune in India and Narbonne in France are just some of the cities that already have adopted the concept, or used it as a source of inspiration. On December 12, the Swedish Minister for Trade, Ewa Björling will present the Swedish approach to sustainability at Bright Green Expo in Copenhagen, Denmark. A number of interesting seminars will also be arranged in the Swedish pavilion, stand 42. During 2010, the SymbioCity concept will be presented at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, at the World Urban Forum 5 in Rio de Janeiro and MIPIM, the international real estate summit in Cannes, and other places. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 41

New Thinking

Environmental work is breaking down old habits The process of adapting to new circumstances and new opportunities is often slow. This is human, and not least applicable to the area of the environment, where there is such major, rapid change. But in order to move on, it is necessary to break with old habits and and to dare to think innovatively. New business models and new economic evaluations are necessary. The architect Anders Nyquist and entrepreneur Sten Wennerklev are two people who don’t want to keep walking the same path. BY per trostemo

photo Per Mäkitalo/johnér

An architect with the courage to think innovatively Life cycle cost instead of investment cost. Time rather than money. Architect Anders Nyquist doesn’t hesitate in turning things on their heads. He highlights hitherto unseen aspects by using alternative calculation models.

he life cycle-adapted work of architect Anders Nyquist has been the focus of attention both in Sweden and abroad. Right now Anders is working on a residential building in Nolby, outside Sundsvall, which is being constructed based on an exciting vision of a social, ecological and technical holisticity. The residents will literally be part of a living cycle! Anders Nyquist is an amazingly creative person and has ideas about almost everything around us. Many of his ideas revolve around a new economic approach where life cycle costs and time cost analyses are central concepts. Anders’ opinion is that the construction industry and banks are still holding 42 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

on to outdated business models and analyses. “Yes, the construction industry has long focused on the investment costs when making calculations. Anders Nyquist Instead, in the projects that I manage, we try to concentrate on the annual cost and the life cycle cost. The investment cost in a life cycle-adapted house may be ten per cent higher than for a conventional house, but even in its first year the annual cost can be ten per cent lower than that of a conventional house!

This means that Anders Nyquist is looking for another way of valuing investments and payoff times. “We must introduce a new type of economic thought in the construction industry, where the operating cost is what controls our investments. Life cycle-adapted houses consume less energy, are built from better materials and are healthier than conventional houses. Thus they cost much less in relation to their lifespan. “The banks must also get better

at valuing houses that have low annual costs and low lifespan costs are healthier and have less impact on the environment. It goes without saying that if a house has lower annual costs then the bank’s customer is more likely to be able to

Free sunlight for local authorities Save energy and get free lights! This idea is now being launched as a way of reducing power consumption in municipal property and premises.

S pay them, doesn’t it? The banks should therefore set lower interest rates on borrowed capital for life cycle housing, because it is an investment with a more stable value. Anders’ interest in alternative

calculation models also covers the sphere of individual finance. We usually say that time is money, but Anders has turned that around. “We have produced a calculation model that demonstrates the relationship between income per hour and the costs of a family’s biggest expenses, like housing, the car and food. The timecost calculation shows that you have to work more than 700 hours to pay for the “average family’s” car costs over one year. To earn the cost of food and other living expenses for a two-child family, you need to work 2500 hours per year and to pay the rent the providers in the family must work more than 1000 hours per year. “If you reduce the costs for housing, food and the car by practising life cycle thinking, you need to work less. You get more time for the family, children, friends… more time to be human,” says this visionary architect from Sundsvall. n

olljus AB is a company that manufactures light fittings with a ceramic metal halogen lamp, which emits light close to sun’s spectrum. The sunlight lamps result in energy savings of 30-90 % compared to ordinary light fittings, and have a number of other advantages. The energy savings that the sunlight lamps provide could be used to finance installing them in premises owned by the municipalities and the county council. “We have started a dialogue with the municipally-owned power company, Jämtkraft, about our idea, so we’ll see where it ends up,” says the managing director for Solljus, Sten Wennerklev. “There are many municipally-

owned power companies in Sweden. Local authorities also own a great many properties in which they still use traditional, power hungry lighting. We think it should be natural for the municipally-owned power companies to buy lights that they can then provide for free. Because, in this case, the municipality owns both the power company and the property, so everything stays “in the family”, says Wennerklev Sten Wennerklev The energy savings mean that the light fittings are financed over a three-year period and the power company can also sell the “extra power” from the very first day. “In general, power companies are better paid for selling electricity outside their home municipalities, so they can cover the cost of buying the light fittings this way.” It’s a business idea that’s as good as any… n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 43

Peak innovation

developing green industry for billions The business world’s green visions for the county of Jämtland meet in the newlystarted Peak Innovation. In seven years’ time the region is to be a European leader for research and business development within tourism, sports and leisure activities. by anders lövgren

photo tommy andersson

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The experienced entrepreneur duo of Kjell-Ove Wiklund and Lars Lindqvist are visionaries in the fields of tourism, sports and leisure activities, and believe that Jämtland can be a world leader by 2025.

“

racke Systems has seen that GPS technology that has been traditionally used in forestry, for example in the planning of clearance and thinning-out, can also be used in the piste machines in the mountain ski resorts. From now on, technology will make it easier to see where the piste machine needs to do its job, which saves both time and fuel, and improves the quality of the pistes. Another company, Coresource, is developing a system that collects information about the origin of products and services; their history and material. This system enables goods to be declared, for example, from an ethical or ecological perspective. These are just two of all of the innovations that either already exist, or are under development in the region. They are, however, good examples of how innovations, growth and ecological sustainability can be inter-connected. Lars Lindqvist, CEO at Peak Innovation

A number of different development projects are on-going at the national winter sport center, which is intended to produce Swedish successes at the world’s sports arenas. After this, these ideas will be commercialized. An example of this is the advanced roller-ski track that can be programmed to simulate a run on the Olympic track in Vancouver. National teams wanting to hone their skills prior to a competition form the target group.

explains, “We don’t have any traditional base industry, and it’s not our intention to try and create any. What we want to do instead is to collaborate within the fields of tourism, sports and leisure activities, and to take advantage of our common strengths therein. Thinking in terms of ecological sustainability is no longer just an idea: it’s already present in our strategies as the most natural feature in the world.” Lars Lindqvist, together with business developer Kjell-Ove Wiklund, has his finger on many of the buttons in Peak Innovation, which has received in total some SEK 64 million during eight years, from a number of public and private interests. State-owned Vinnova stands for the majority of the financing for building up a so-called innovation system. The purpose is to create growth through collaboration within business development and research, amongst other things through attracting more tourists to Jämtland and by creating products and services that can be exported.

hinking in terms of ecological sustainT ability is no longer just an idea: it’s already present in our strategies as the most natural feature in the world.

Kjell-Ove Viklund says, “Many of the ideas

that arise from the research environment need support in order to reach out into the market. That’s what we at Peak Innovation help with. We find partners, seek financiers, manufacturers and initiate the necessary procedures.” Lars Lindqvist adds, “But you have to keep in mind that only 22 percent of the products that are commercialized emanate from an academic environment. Most ideas come from the industry and we offer companies the same opportunities.” Jämtland has a number of strong destinations, primarily Åre, which attracts both tourists that enjoy the Great Outdoors and the world’s sporting elite who come to compete. This provides a good foundation on which to develop services and products. Already today there are nearly 1500 companies in Jämtland who are active within Peak Innovation’s area. Together they have a turnover of around SEK 4.5 billion. By 2025 when the region will have gone from being a leader in Europe to a leader in the world, the industries will be turning over SEK 17 billion. n

facts In Sweden, state-owned Vinnova has named twelve different regions - innovation systems - that have received support for their growth. Peak Innovation in Jämtland is the only one focused on tourism, sports and leisure activities.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 45

plus -energy-house

It’s quite simple really. It’s all about building houses as well-sealed and wellinsulated as possible, and supplying electricity and heating that is produced and supplied in the right way. After that, you can call it what you want. by gunnar andersson

The tallest timber building in Sweden is in Växjö and is also a low-energy house.

One concept – many names

ome folks call it ‘zero-energy housing’, others call it ‘passive housing’ and others call it ‘plus energy housing’. But regardless of whether you build in order to cool down the interior climate in warmer countries or if you build to keep the heat in in cooler climes, the principle remains the same. “The idea is to build well-sealed and wellinsulated houses ,with the energy that they need coming from a system that utilizes renewable resources in an efficient manner,” Thomas Greindl

46 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

explains Thomas Greindl, EU Certified ‘passive house’ architect at the technology consultancy company Sweco. A low-energy house is a house with

an extremely low energy requirement for heating. Different concepts for low-energy housing are marketed in Europe, such as Passivhaus in Germany, Effinergie in France, Minergie in Switzerland, Casa Clima in Italy and Low Energy Class 1 and 2 in Denmark. The various concepts have slightly different limits for maximum energy usage, and calculate energy use differAnna Joelsson

ently, which makes it difficult to compare them, however, the international definition of a ‘passive house’ is a house that has a maximum annual energy requirement of 15 kWh/m2 for heating. If you build a house where additionally heating and electricity are produced on site, for example via solar power, the concept becomes ‘zero-energy housing’; if the electricity and heating produced just cover the energy requirements for the running of the house, and ‘plus-energy housing’ if the production exceeds the requirements. Economical profitability with self-production of heating and electricity can only be achieved, however, if the running of

Wood-based lightweight beams have obvious environmental and energy benefits.

to the final utility that is supplied”, Anna Joelsson continues. The lifecycle perspective is valid of course, both if the utility concerns heating, electricity or the choice of building materials, and it is important to keep in mind how the residual products in the processes are used and how the house itself can finally be recycled. By the year 2019, new buildings

the building is 3 to 4 times as energyefficient. A well-constructed building is the basis for reduced energy consumption. The first thing to consider in order to build in an energy-efficient manner is to reduce heat losses by insulating, sealing and avoiding thermal bridging. However, a total overview is needed in order to decide if a construction project can be deemed as being sustainable in the long term, and then more than just the building shell needs to be taken into consideration. “Just because you’ve built a good house doesn’t mean you can forget about reducing energy losses and emissions when supplying energy”, says Anna Joelsson, Dr. of Eco-Technology and Environmental Sciences and sustainability consultant at Sweco. The choice of heating system is

more important in terms of the building’s climate impact than most people think, and is an important matter even where low-energy houses are concerned. “You have to have efficient process all the way from utilizing natural resources

in the EU will not have any net energy usage, which means that electricity and heating must be produced within the building itself. Even if this is achieved by means of renewable resources it will not be enough to achieve the established energy and climate goals. Additionally, existing buildings must become more energy-efficient, and the EU is therefore encouraging its member nations to establish energy efficiency goals for the significant number of existing buildings that currently use close to 40 percent of all energy consumed in the EU. “If you really want to change something, you have to start reconstructing what is already there”, says Thomas Greindl. It’s not difficult to build properly insulated and sealed houses. Anna Joelsson and Thomas Greindl both mean that it is more a question of the attitude of those commissioning the building projects, in combination with a lack of knowledge on the part of those ordering the works. “It’s mainly a question of attitude. All it really takes is a decision about the direction in which to go in order to progress, and to put a slightly higher demand on quality”, explains Anna Joelsson, who in her research has made detailed studies of energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions from constructing buildings from timber. n

examples of smart solutions: Wood-based lightweight beams have obvious environmental and energy benefits and are strong, light and straight. Up to 80 percent of the trees’ volume is utilized. The beams’ I-profile means that thermal bridging is minimized, and consequently heat losses with them, and that a lesser amount of raw materials are required. Environmental impact and resource dependency are the lowest possible as smaller dimensions can be used. Furthermore, the beams are partly manufactured from biproducts of the sawmill. Masonite Beams AB is a company in the construction sector that manufactures and markets timber-based I-beam systems to customers in Sweden and overseas. The company is part of the Norwegian Byggma ASA Group. Glued laminate (Glulam) beams consist of interlaced laminates of wood that are glued together to form beams of the required dimension. Glulam is sometime called nature’s answer to steel and concrete. The environmental benefits of constructing in wood are primarily that less energy is used in the production of building materials for a wooden house, than for most other materials. By comparison, a concrete house will cause carbon dioxide emissions from chemical processes in the manufacture of cement that are avoided in the case of the wooden house. Additionally, waste wood products from the production processes can be used for energy purposes, replacing fossil fuels. This also goes for residual timber following the demolition of buildings at the end of their serviceable life, and this substitution is an important factor if the intention is to achieve climateneutral housing.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 47

plus -energy-house â&#x20AC;&#x201C; vill a ĂĽk arp

Plus-energy-houses produces more than it consumes

Karin Adalberth

Karin Adalberth has many years of experience from the construction and property industry. For example, she has spent five years working with passive houses in her own company Prime project AB. She has now taken the ability of the well-insulated passive house to principally heat itself through the energy already in the house a step further. The Plus-energy-house produces its own energy, with a surplus. by gunnar andersson

48 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

ECONOMY PLUSENERGY-TECHNOLOGY Investment: approx. SEK 800,000 in a regular-sized single family home Cost centers: ventilation, insulation, airtightness, windows, solar cells and solar collectors. Operating savings: about SEK 15,000 per year with a living area of 150 square meters.

The house heat exchangers for solar collectors.

The interior has a contemporary design. Here are the stairs to the upper floor.

illa Åkarp is the Adalberth family home, a one and half floor house situated to the north of Malmö. – Plus-energy-houses are ideal for both those building for the general public and those building for small families. The 150 square meter Villa Åkarp will consumes 5,500 kilowatt-hours per year for electricity and heating. The National Swedish Board of Building, Planning and Housing’s building regulations set the upper limit of 110 kilowatt-hours per square meter and year for heating and domestic hot water in homes. The Adalberth family will save around SEK 15,000 per year in energy costs. That is around a quarter compared to a regular Swedish home. 18 square meters of solar collectors on the roof heat the house and guarantee hot water. Heat is accumulated in the property to provide heating around the clock and to meet the transition between warmer and colder seasons. The pellet-burning stove supplements the heating system during colder periods. Plus-energy-houses, like passive houses, are equipped with a heat

exchanger that transfers heat from the ventilated air to the incoming fresh air. Floor heating is not the best solution from an energy standpoint and Villa Åkarp is fitted with standard radiators. 32 square meters of separate solar cells produce electricity. In the summer, April-October, around 4000 kilowatt-hours are sold to the power company Eon. Around 2600 kilowatt-hours of electricity are then bought back during the year. n

Villa Åkarp is built using the following components and energy efficiency measures: • Solar collectors • Solar cells • Accumulator tank • Good airtightness in the climate shell • High heat recovery from the ventilation air • High-efficiency windows • Well-insulated floor, walls and roof • Water efficient low energy washing machine • Low energy appliances • Low energy lamps • Water efficient fittings

ADVICE FROM KARIN Advice from Karin Adalberth to those who wish to build a Plusenergy-house, large or small: 1. Heat-insulate meticulously. 2. Ventilate thoroughly, with high heat recovery. 3. Ensure good airtightness. 4. Accumulate heat, e.g. through solar collectors and an accumulator tank. 5. Generate electricity, e.g. through solar cells or a small wind power plant. 6. Ensure heat production during the winter, e.g. with a stove. 7. Install water efficient products: faucets, shower heads, washing machine and dishwashers. 8. Install electrically efficient products: ventilation fans, pumps, lighting, refrigerator, freezer and TV.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 49

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Matchmaking customers with non-toxic Cleantech solutions In 2006 the Jegrelius Institute of Applied Green Chemistry launched a new concept how to put non-toxic Cleantech innovations on the market through Technology procurement. by erik noaksson

photo tommy andersson

“T

echnology procurement was used successfully in Sweden during the 1990’s to stimulate the production and sale of more energy efficient products,” says Lena Stigh who is responsible for the Technology procurement initiative. Everything from refrigerators, heat-pumps, low energy windows to flexi-fuel vehicles were procured by different groups of buyers. Electrolux and Ford are good examples of two delivering companies. The core issue is to create a large group of dedicated small buyers that can, and will, challenge the industry and demand for a product currently not available on the market. “The idea is that the demand and the joint spending power will be so strong that it can help to stimulate technology “leap frogs” and set new standards for product performance and quality,” says Lena Stigh. In the region of Jämtland a number

of companies are developing peak products based on cutting edge non-toxic technology. “Outdoor equipment (e.g. www.klattermusen.se) and eco-friendly detergents (www.invekta.se) are exam-

ples that inspired us to launch a national initiative to organise group of buyers in different business sectors focusing on Green chemistry and substitution of toxic chemicals,” says MD Erik Noaksson. One group of buyers, coordinated by Jegrelius, constitute the majority of public health care providers in Sweden, all with the ambition to procure a nontoxic alternative to the currently available PVC/DEHP containing blood bags for red blood cells. “Another group of buyers under formation have the ambition to procure a non-toxic alternative to toxic antifouling coatings keeping boat hulls free from settling mussels and algae in the Baltic Sea,” says Tomas Östberg who is responsible for substitution and risk assessment at Jegrelius. Parallel to the initiation of

groups of buyers, Jegrelius is working to setup Cleantech demonstration arenas within municipality and County Council owned working facilities in the region of Jämtland. “These arenas creates not only awareness and demand for cutting edge Cleantech technologies in the public sector, but are also golden opportunities for companies to introduce new products,

which at the same time will get verified and tested by potential costumers,” says head of the project Sven Wadman. It is our belief that tomorrows customers increasingly will demand non-toxic peak products sustainably produced,” says MD Erik Noaksson. Jegrelius will lead this movement and therefore seeks new partners and Cleantech companies outside the region for new Peak innovation initiatives (www.peakinnovation.se) and Technology procurement projects. n

jegrelius • The first Institute of Applied Green Chemistry (www.jegrelius.se) • Contribute to safer environments in humans everyday life • Matchmaking customers to nontoxic Cleantech solutions • Guide companies in product development processes • Stimulate Technology procurement in the public sector • Owned by the Jämtland County Council (www.jll.se)

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 51

tall timber buildings

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The seven-storey houses are built on the foundations of wood, with a building system that lead to quick installation and ensures dry construction since the building is weather-protected throughout the construction period.

Tall timber buildings Building tall buildings from timber is no longer a problem from the perspectives of quality and safety. Sweden already has many examples of successful construction projects, including apartment complexes, commercial premises and car parks.

Âť

by gunnar andersson

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 53

tall timber buildings

Residential area of the Inner Harbor in Sundsvall was clear in 2006. The framesystem consists of solid wood and the facade of laminated panel.

here is a great deal of experience in Sweden when it comes to building in wood, and tall buildings have now been built in several places in Sweden. The tallest one is in Växjö in southern Sweden and has eight floors; in Skellefteå in northern Sweden, there are several buildings that have seven floors and in Sundsvall there is one with six floors. One of the most recent projects has involved an apartment complex and car park in the centre of Skellefteå. Skellefteå is a town of classic timber buildings that is currently experiencing extensive investments in industrial timber construction. The new car park is an example of the opportunities presented by modern timber construction, both as regards engineering benefits and an environmentally beneficial alternative to other building materials. The car park in Skellefteå is being built

by Martinsons Trä and has a total of 141 parking spaces on six floors, of which two are below ground, and the ground floor is office space. The car park is constructed with a pillar-beam frame that is based on a glulam framework from Martinsons Trä. The load bearing elements are cassette joists in “KL-trä”, made from solid timber slabs of planed spruce that are glued together with alternating grain directions for increased stability. The 54 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

result is a rigid construction element with a high load capacity, which offers the potential for large spans and rational methods for rapid assembly. Thanks to the construction’s design, the dynamic heavy loads that occur in a multi-storey car park are no problem, and effective sound reduction has made it possible to use the ground floor as office space. In combination with the car park, Setra

Group is building the Ekorren quarter with 32 apartments. The building has a maximum of five floors, and a minimum of two. Ekorren is entirely timber-built, using modern timber construction techniques, giving a number of benefits. One important benefit is, of course, that wood is an environmentally friendly and renewable material that is sparing on the Earth’s resources. Setra Group’s subsidiary, Plusshus, has used the Trälyftet building system, which is a system for building multi-storey wooden buildings. Entire rooms are built indoors and completed internally, and then lifted into place on the foundation. Trälyftet also includes well designed, finished solutions for sound insulation, ventilation, heat recycling and cable laying. “Innovation and modern technology means that it is possible to build tall buildings in solid wood, combining the benefits of timber as a building material with the pleasant feel of wood in the building,” says Olle Jakobsson, Setra Group. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 55

Foto: Gert Olsson/Bildarkivet.se

From fossil fuels to renewable energy The County Council of Jämtland, responsible for providing health care in Östersund and in 29 towns and villages in the county, has for many years worked towards replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy. The dramatic rise in oil prices in 1973 triggered the first efforts. At that time we had oil-fired central heating in 84 percent of its premises. Today we don´t use any oil at all. In addition to purely practical measures to improve energy efficiency, such as lighting, heat recovery, improved windows etc., we provide information about energy and environmental issues to our 4,000 employees.

56 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM

The County Council of Jämtland Heating energy kWh per m2/year. 1973–2008

Contact Gunnar Fackel, Environmental Manager gunnar.fackel@jll.se, + 46 (0)63-16 83 14 SWEDEN

www.jll.se

valga

A Green Vision in Reality A Green house on Green Street at the end of Green Park. In 2010, the first steps will be taken towards completing a unique project in Valga, Estonia. by gunnar andersson

he project involves the construction of a reference and show house that contains the latest technology for optimal energy efficiency and green thinking, for both people and the environment. The project owners are Valga city and the Mid Sweden Chamber of Commerce, supported by the counties of Jämtland and Västernorrland, as well as the municipalities of Östersund and Sundsvall and Jämtland’s County Council. The house will be a life cycle-adapted building that conserves energy, a great home for socially vulnerable young people and a good example for similar projects in the future, as well as of Swedish technology and cross-border cooperation. The project’s architect, Anders Nyquist, has extensive experience with projects that focus on sustainability. Green ideas and solutions interact with economics, technology and a social vision for everyday life. Valga has around 15,000 inhabitants

and is a road and rail hub on the Estonian border. Valga is aiming to earn the title of Estonia’s best energy savings centre and has completed the construction of the first passive house in Estonia, the Kaseke kindergarten. Furthermore, construction has started on a low energy campus at the

Valga County Vocational Training Centre. The service building for the Valga football stadium and the Estonian-Latvian Joint Visitors’ Centre have all been designed according to the demands of passive house technology. Next year, reconstruction work on Valga Gymnasium will start to convert the building into a low energy school building. The show house is going to be built in one of the most beautiful parks in Valga. It’s is a two-storey building with 18 small apartments, mainly with one or two bedrooms. The exterior of the building will be adapted to its surroundings, and a lot of the nearby trees will be saved. The house is going to have its own energy, ventilation and sewer systems built using SplitBox technology.

Proposals for green buildings in Valga, Estonia.

The tenants’ grey and black water is dealt

with along with kitchen waste, producing clean water and a dry fraction that can be used as fertiliser. It is estimated that the project will cost SEK 15 million and that research and construction will take about one year. Valga has agreed to finance 10-15 percent of the construction and, when it is completed, the city will manage its operation and maintenance. The project has interested parties in the private sector – but there is room for more members and investors. n GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 57

chronicle by ol a hildingsson

We make more from timber

roducts from Domsjö Fabriker’s biorefinery can replace oil as a raw material in many areas. Not many people know that each American space shuttle carries a ten-ton heat shield of space fabric that is made from special cellulose from Domsjö, or that viscose textiles, paint thickener, sausage skin, washer fluid or concrete constructions could come from Domsjö, outside Örnsköldsvik.

Times change, they say – and it’s true. The effects of climate change, population growth and limitations to sources of fossil fuels and raw materials are already being felt, and will influence our lives even more in the future. This is not viable in the long term, which means that we need new approaches and innovations. History is full of examples of how bad things can get when companies and organisations refuse to think in new ways and so remain in the past; but there are also plenty of examples of visionary thinking, in unison with realism and entrepreneurship, resulting in new development and new companies. One example of this is the Domsjö Fabriker biorefinery. In 2000, Domsjö Fabriker was sold

by what was then MoDo, which rightly saw no future for the plant as a pulp mill. However, a group of investors saw a future for the same plant as a biorefinery. Their vision, alongside realism and targeted investments totalling SEK 800 million, as well as a pioneering spirit among the employees, has made us a world-leading biorefinery. At Domsjö Fabriker, we have a technically unique process. It is actually as if it is tailor-made for a biorefinery. The raw timber comes from sustainable forestry and is transformed to special cellulose, lignosulphonate, ethanol, carbonic acid, biogas and other green products. The process has a minimal environmental impact on the atmosphere and on the waters of Öviksfjärden. The bleaching of our special cellulose has been chlorinefree for decades and the entire process is free of emissions. 58 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Our philosophy is simple: we make more from timber. This is a description of our current operations, but also our commitment to developing more products from the raw timber. We have increased our production of special cellulose, ethanol, biogas and carbonic acid since 2000 . Special cellulose is our main product; it is primarily supplied to the textile industry, where it is a complete alternative to cotton. After extensive development work and a major investment programme, we also now produce dried lignosulphonate. This is mainly used as an additive in concrete, so that less cement is used in order to provide the same strength in a concrete construction. This reduces the carbon emissions from cement manufacturing. Cooperation is an invaluable

condition for creating sustainable development and success for all those involved. Our project gathers technical pioneers, production staff, investors, vehicle manufacturers, power companies and others. Its driving forces include the pressing need to replace oil as an energy source, rising power prices, increasing environmental threats, as well as the need for change and products in the future. In the future, people who wish to study how global development, particularly regarding environmental issues, is associated with a company and its owners’ approach to thinking innovatively and in a visionary manner, but without a completely new start, will find that Domsjö Fabriker is a relevant subject for studies. n

syre.se

OUR WEB SERVICE KEEPS YOUR PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY DECLARATION IN CHECK As a manufacturer you must be able to declare your products contained components. Declare their origin. Declare how they are produced. Declare their economic, ecological and social sustainability impact - all the way from raw material to finished product. There are many reasons for this. Hard to overcome situations can arise if products are provided with misleading information. Valuable goodwill can be lost the moment the headlines roll off the press. Orderly production is another reason; many companies have realised the value of profiling environmental compliance in their marketing – and this will be even more pronounced in the future. However, defining what to keep track of and keeping track of EVERYTHING that is included in EVERY product is a job that will overwhelm even the most energetic and systematic person. This is where Coresource web service InCheck enters the arena. Our service helps you keep every little detail in your product in check – from the perspective of every stakeholder. The service helps you compile and implement your sustainability standards package. In its simplest form it can be used for storing a product’s material declaration. In its most advanced version, it provides an automatic standards compliance interpretation (such as RoHS and REACH). Green or red light! InCheck is provided as a web service, check it out – are your products in check?

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 59 Coresource AB, Färögatan 33, SE-164 51 KISTA, Sweden | +46 8 643 43 60 | contact@coresource.se | www.incheck.eu

in short

Hot swedish cleantech Sweden is a breeding ground for new and interesting cleantech projects. We’ve selected a few examples of the hottest projects currently underway.

Water purification in water The EU’s Water Framework Directive has placed tougher requirements on how Swedish municipalities manage stormwater. Järven Ecotech creates outlet areas for stormwater purification in existing waterways, such as lakes, rivers and the sea. A patented solution that consists of a combination of floating walls and baffles builds water purification facilities in the receiving area.

60 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

One great benefit is low running costs. Stormwater is purified from heavy metals, in particular, by using the force of gravity. A natural sedimentation takes place which, combined with existing vegetation, creates a perfect basis for microorganisms that cleanse the water of particles. The degree of purification in these facilities depends on the composition of the pollutants.

Safer roads with pulp industry by-products Using green liquor from paper mills on gravel roads means that they stay better compacted and there is a significantly reduced need for maintenance. This has been demonstrated in trials carried out in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå. Behind this idea is The Biorefinery of the Future initiative, which gathers business, academia and society around the idea of using forests as a raw material in developing products and processes that can replace oil’s social significance. “Dried green liquor has properties which let it remain on the road for a longer period,” says Gunnar Westin, project manager. “One substance previously used was salt, which disappears rapidly, or just lignosulphonate, which is difficult to spread well.” Sweden’s road network consists of about 20 percent gravel roads, for which maintenance – in the form of planing and edge cutting – can be minimised if the road remains in better shape. This would probably save millions of kronor every year in reduced road maintenance. Properly functioning roads also result in increased safety and comfort. If this can be achieved using green liquor, which must otherwise be disposed of, it is of great benefit to society and the environment. The project that aims to create a product from green liquor is part of the research and development work at The Biorefinery of the Future. “We finance research projects in which our member companies collaborate with the region’s universities to develop new green chemicals, new green products and new biofuel solutions. We currently have around 20 exciting research projects in our portfolio. Our methodology is characterised by openness and we welcome more ideas from new people,” says Clas Engström, CEO for Processum Biorefinery Initiative AB.

Stormwater filter for export Clean Export Mälardalen is a project that is owned by Mälardalen University, for which Sustainable Business Mälardalen is process manager. As part of the CLEAN project, there are now plans among successful ground and water purification companies, who want to move into export markets, to form a joint development company. FlexiClean is one of the companies that is planning to take part in the new development company. It manufactures and sells a new filter for cleaning stormwater. The filter consists of an outer filter casing and a filter cartridge with an easily replaceable filter bag. The filter contains different types of bark. FlexiClean has already won prizes for its new product and has been highlighted at a number of environmental events.

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pet ter stordalen

The hotel king with a passion for the environment Hotel king Petter Stordalen is worth around NOK 10 billion. The 46-year-old Norwegian is happy to call himself a capitalist, but in the same breath he emphasises his strong sense of social responsibility – and he is passionate about climate issues, which he considers the most important of all. “We must impose limits for what is acceptable and take payment for emissions. But I also believe in new, technological solutions.” by per trostemo

etter Stordalen is Scandinavia’s uncrowned king of hotels and owns Choice Hotels with its 169 hotels in the Nordic and Baltic regions, amongst other things. Petter is famous for his strong involvement in social issues, where concepts such as “social responsibility” and “environmental responsibility” are his key words. “Companies that neglect their social responsibilities are not credible. For me, social responsibility is really all about ethics and morals. It deals with the attitude we have towards ourselves, our lives and our deeds. This is why, for example, I think it’s obvious that we should pay tax. And whatever you do, it should be done thoroughly and properly!” Petter’s life and business philosophy perme-

ates the entire business group’s operations and he holds the flag high on environmental issues. “We will exceed and, where possible, be a step ahead of all legislated environmental requirements and regulations. I’m very interested in new, green solutions. We began an extensive programme of environmental investments in 2003, and since then

we have replaced all the old oil-fired generators with heat pumps and water-borne heating. “Within Choice we continually work with environmental issues. In 2009 all of our 169 hotels received environmental certification! ISO 14001 also provides us with a control system so that we can work comprehensively and more ambitiously with our environmental efforts. For example, we are working on a project to replace chlorine in our swimming pools. Choice and Petter Stordalen are also the

main sponsors of the Zero environmental foundation that works to achieve emission-free solutions. “Zero highlights and promotes new green technology in all sectors of society. In our industry, we can see how important it is to have energyefficient hotels and in the future Choice wants to be able to build ‘plus hotels’ that not only use minimal energy, but which can also return excess power to the power grid. “I am enthusiastic about the idea that we will find zero emission solutions for all areas of society, not least for the transport sector that is responsi-

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 63

pet ter stordalen

“

es, I believe in consumer power. Y I think that in the future consumers will reject the companies and manufacturers who don’t take their responsibility

ble for 20 percent of all emissions. I love cars and I have invested in two electric cars and Norway’s only Mercedes that has been converted to bioethanol. I enjoy following technological developments and where they lead.” As a venture capitalist, Petter Stord-

alen sees the area of environmental technology as “unavoidable”. “The American environmental icon, David Brower, says: ‘there is no business on a dead planet’. Simple and true. We have to see the business opportunities of green technology because it is our only hope.” Petter also believes that in the future we will see a type of self-cleansing, where only companies that take social and environmental responsibility will survive. “Yes, I believe in consumer power. I think that in the future consumers will reject the companies and manufacturers who don’t take their responsibility. I also think that there will be a basic level at which companies don’t just present financial accounts but also account for their climate and social commitments. In such a future, the companies that take responsibility will be the winners! And those that start now will have a great benefit from their head start – as we have! n

ABOUT PETTER STORDALEN Age: 46 Home: A house in Oslo Family: Partner. Three children from a previous relationship. Qross the German shepherd dog. Childhood: In Porsgrunn, Norway, where he started his empire by selling strawberries in the square. Current: Has bought the luxury hotel, Copperhill, in Åre. Owns: The Choice Hotels chain, with 169 hotels and 8000 employees. Curiosa: Made a bid for the Premier League Liverpool FC a few years ago. Passionate about: Society and the environment.

64 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

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a call to find out how we can help your company. We assist companies through our unique support in the form of financing, businessand product development. Our great competence network in the fiber technology field is of course also availbe to you.

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www.fiberopticvalley.com GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 65

norr a k a jen

Green thoughts build new town district 66 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

“We must be visionaries and think sustainability with new-builds.” Says Christer Ersson who is CEO for the company responsible to transform a gray industrial area in Sundsvall to a green town district. text & PHOTO anders lövgren Illustr ation white

HE SEES GREEN: Christer Ersson, CEO of Norra Kajen Exploatering AB has a vision to build a new, green and ecologically sustainable district in Sundsvall. The aim is for building to start in 2010.

orra Kajen and the Heffners industrial site are located in the heart of the Bay of Sundsvall and have since the middle of the 1800s been sites for timber and charcoal handling, sawmills, oil-storage depots, industries, warehouses and offices. Long rows of metal-covered properties cover over one kilometer along the waterfront and beside this traffic thunders past on the E4. Paradoxically it is just this part of Sundsvall that is to become the greenest. Norra Kajen Exploatering AB, which is jointly owned by the private real estate company Norrlandspojkarna and Sundsvall’s municipality, has its offices in the western end of the harbor area. The plan is to develop a district with Sweden’s best south facing location and with a proenvironment approach.

Here are a few examples of what Norra Kajen Exploatering means by sustainable construction: •B uilding materials must be sound, environment friendly and recyclable. • Th e energy supply must come as far as possible from environment friendly district heating, solar collectors and windpower. •A vacuum system with extraction from each apartment to take care of domestic waste, which is conveyed to a digester plant where biogas can be produced. •C ars are parked underground. Sidewalks, cycle paths and public transport are given priority. •A rtists are involved at an early stage so that a variety of different experiences are “built into” the area. In addition to works of art, it can be a question of using audio and light creatively.

At the present time building rights

in the prospectus that interested stakeholders have received. We are naturally open for further discussions with the purchaser of the building rights, they may also have their own green ideas or ideas about adornments that can be used,” says Christer Ersson. 2500 apartments, the majority with a sea view, are to be built and the area is to feature numerous green oases, jetties and berths. Move than 50 percent of the land area is to consist of grass, trees and parks.

are being sold for the first block of 15,000 square meters. “Developers have shown a great deal of interest in being a part of this. We have noticed that optimism has returned after the global recession and it will not be difficult to find someone to be the first to start construction,” says CEO Christer Ersson. Purchasers of building rights must be prepared to work with a green profile.

“These are the examples included

Furthermore grass and plants are also to be used to cover the roofs of the buildings, these provide insulation as well as effectively utilizing rainwater. “An ecological approach is to permeate the choice of energy solutions and materials. We speak about trying to create environment friendly energy systems,” adds Christer Ersson. An already started multi-billion

investment means a bridge is to be built across the bay in Sundsvall. This means the E4 motorway will be moved away from the Norra Kajen, which emphasizes the green aim of the area. Norrlandspojkarna’s former CEO Lars Bäckvall wishes to highlight the green profile yet further by building an exhibition building in the area. The building, which is called lat. 62.3° (Sundsvall is situated on this latitude) is to house and display green technologies, but also with space for artistic and creative industries. “This building is to be an arena and meeting place for innovators within culture, ecology, technology and climate. This region is the home of many skilful companies within, e.g. ecologically sustainable construction. It could possibly be a place where together they can present their solutions, and I think we would attract visitors from around the world,” says Lars Bäckvall. n GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 67

I believe in

Success through

CleanTech!

nergy and climate are on the world’s agenda more than ever. I am writing this before the big meeting in Copenhagen in which I hope the world’s leaders will be successful in reducing mankind’s effect on climate. Whatever will be agreed, the need for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are increasing rapidly.

The county of Västernorrland is used to deal with big amounts of energy. We have the highest use of electricity per capita in Sweden. This gives us reason to generate new technology and to use the latest innovations in the field. We have experience of products and solutions from a number of areas, companies, municipalities and households. We are ready to Work With you! Västernorrland has a long industrial history. The other side of this coin are the leftovers from the use of not so environmental-friendly technologies. We therefore have generated new applications and knowledge from for instance remediation of contaminated areas, restoring waterways and introducing new skills. We are ready to Work With you! Photo: Örjan Leek

The County Administrative Board of Västernorrland is supporting a lot of different projects and ideas with the aim to highlight the region’s collected experience in environmental technology, CleanTech. There is now a sharp increase in demand of our expertise in these areas. We are ready to Work With you! CleanTech Region is an initiative that joins the forces of the region. Thus, it is possible to offer complete system solutions. A work that will result in more business and trade and, above all, in a better environment globally and locally. i believe in success through cleantech and västernorrland is ready to guide! 68 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Bo Källstrand County Governor Västernorrland

NORRPORTEN

Greenscreening at Norrporten The Norrportens property company has high environmental requirements for its activities. Using greenscreening means the company can improve its external communication. BY per trostemo

PHOTO norrporten

“W

e want to be able to work as a knowledge bank for our tenants as regards environmental issues and sustainable workplaces. For example, which computers consume the least power, what wood should the desk be, installing presence sensor lighting and so on.” Åsa Hansson is an information officer for the Norrporten property company, which owns office and retail properties from Luleå in the north to Hamburg Åsa Hansson in the south. The company has noticed a clear increase in its tenants’ environmental awareness. “Yes, now they have increasingly high demands on the premises and business being adapted for sustainability and environmental requirements. Apart from this increasing the need for our own green expertise it, also means that we need to be better at communicating the company’s environmental skills and policy. “This is why Norrporten is carrying

out a “greenscreening” process, in which the company’s environmental performance is analysed in detail. Emphasis is placed on things that are good, but which can be improved. Greenscreening also

provides the company with information about how best to present and communicate its environmental activities to external parties - tenants, customers, suppliers, construction companies, industry and professional bodies, entrepreneurs, authorities, the media, etc. “It is important that our communication is credible and clear. Previously, we were probably more focused on “action” than “talk”, but now we have a better understanding of the value of communication and that we can publicise our environmental Anna-Karin Kammerling activities and our high demands with a better emphasis,” says Åsa. Norrporten has a very ambitious

environmental programme. Energy issues are a major concern, given the character of the business, but the company also has carefully specified requirements in other areas, not least regarding construction processes. “That’s an area where we can really steer suppliers into choosing materials and systems that fulfil our high environmental requirements, thus contributing to the development of green technology,” says Norrporten’s Anna-Karin Kammerling. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 69

AIR STAR

A star is born Ventilation company Air Star has made a market breakthrough with its patented ventilation unit. Important deals with construction companies that will reduce energy consumption and improve the climate in office and site cabins lie behind the lift. TEXT & PHOTO Anders Lövgren

ir Star has recently realized a deal worth SEK 5.5 million with the major developer Skanska. A patented ventilator will be used to cut heating costs and improve the air in

site cabins. “Anyone who has been in these workplaces knows that there is a lot of running to and fro in the cabins. The radiators are working at full power, and you frequently open the window to air the cabin. Not really a sound environment. Our ventilation unit is the perfect answer to change this,” says Peter Björs, CEO of Air Star. The company has won an order to equip

1,250 office and site cabins with its ventilation unit, which is designed on the principle of taking in fresh air from outdoors, heating it and exchanging it with the used air that is removed once the heat has been recovered. Tests made by the client Skanska have shown that by using the Air Star unit it is possible to lower energy consumption and make savings of up to 50 percent on operating costs for the cabins. An important function is that the ventilator is connected so that it controls the radiators

air star The unit with the patented technology can ventilate and heat a space of 20-35 square meters. Up to six ventilators are needed for a home of 120 square meters, depending on the size of the rooms. According to the manufacturer this installation is sufficient for a new well-insulated house, but some form of additional heating is recommended to deal with cold waves. The price of the unit is SEK 4,500-6,000.

70 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

in the cabins and lowers the output at night and weekends. The deal has caused the waters to ripple and Air Star has after the deal also negotiated a contract with site cabin rental company Ramirent. “This deal is important to us and opens up new possibilities. We are also in discussions with customers in Poland, Ireland and France about deliveries,” says Peter Björs. Besides construction companies Air Star’s customers include house manufacturers, offices, day-care centers and private persons. The history behind Peter Björs and Air Star really started in a sauna. The disc jockey and building salesman Björs was visited by a friend and they decided to relax in a warm sauna. The conversation turned to an

interesting object fitted to the wall outside of the sauna, a ventilation unit developed by Peter Björs’ neighbor, but which was proving difficult to sell. “One thing led to another and we ended up buying the rights and started a new company, to accelerate both development and sales. The basic idea is the same, but we have attracted more owners and put the resources into place to both develop functionality and the design as well as to increase sales,” says Peter Björs. Air Star has built up a network of dealers in Sweden and also has agents in Norway and Finland and Estonia. “It is important for us to win over prefabricated house manufacturers. To install the unit during production at the factory makes everything a little bit easier,” explains Air Star’s CEO. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 71

STT EMTEC

Emission control for greener seas STT Emtecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique technology for cleaning exhaust gases is spreading around the world. The company from Sundsvall has taken the step from land to water. BY Olof Axelsson

72 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

hen STT Emtec was founded in the 1980s, the business idea was to develop technology for improving engine performance and reducing fuel consumption. Over time, it was expanded to focus on products to help improve the environment. “The company’s mission has been to develop products to clean exhaust gases from diesel engines. In the end, it’s all about taking better care of the planet and that’s where STT Emtec has an important role to play. Our technology reduces the emission of nitric oxide and harmful particles,” says Ulf Sundström, who has been the company’s managing director since the start of 2009. The company’s customers are primarily international players in Europe, Asia and North America, focusing on heavy vehicles and land-based machinery. Its products are found in everything from lorries in California to buses in South Korea. The tough restrictions on emissions

that are being introduced in increasing numbers of large cities provide new opportunities for the company from Sundsvall. “We have an interesting new partnership in Germany for campervans. In order to comply with new requirements, the owners are choosing to install our treatment system.” However, over the last two years, STT Emtec has widened its focus to include the marine market, primarily in Norway. The demand for cleaning ship exhaust gases has increased in Norway since the authorities introduced high fees for nitric oxide emissions and, in parallel with this, established investment grants to reduce emissions.

“We have adapted our system for exhaust gas cleaning to small and medium-sized vessels in coastal traffic and offshore activities. The marine sector represents around half of our turnover for 2009. In a few years it will be our most important area of operations.” This covers both technology that is installed in new engines and installation in existing engines in particular. Work is carried out in close cooperation with the engine manufacturers.

Ulf Sundström

Environmental requirements and

legislation are what drive the demand for STT Emtec’s products. “In the 1970s the focus was on reducing emissions from cars. Then it was heavy vehicles, and now legislators have discovered the major emissions from ships. The laws that already exist in Norway will spread to the rest of Europe, which has great potential for us. Even if competition increases, we have an advantage. STT Emtec does not sell to end customers, but works via its partners. “Naturally, the Chinese market is of long term interest. We already have customers in both Japan and South Korea,” says Ulf Sundström. n

STT Emtec Its main products are used for cleaning exhaust gases from diesel engines, on land and at sea. It has also developed a high-performance system that is primarily used in Mitsubishi’s four-wheel drive models. The company has around 30 employees, who work with development, construction, assembly and sales. There is also a unique engine testing lab with three engine testing cells. Tests are carried out internally and for external customers.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 73

in short

Hot swedish cleantech Sweden is a breeding ground for new and interesting cleantech projects. We’ve selected a few examples of the hottest projects currently underway.

Efokus – a Energy Hub in Mid Sweden Efokus is the Mid Sweden regional forum for information, knowledge and research about energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology. “Our aim is a sustainable and energy efficient society”, says Tord Fjällström, CEO Efokus. Mid Sweden has a strong potential to become an important and strong region in the shift from fossil to renewable energy and Efokus will play a central role in this field. “We are an active partner and important meeting place”. At present the Efokus projects covers forest residues, biogas, biomass to liquid, arable land fuel and renewable energy, clean technology and arrangements towards energy efficiency. “We work with modern and innovative forms of cooperation. We connect projects and look for opportunities for co-operation. By being alert on what is going on at the local, regional and international arena, Efokus is a significant platform”, says Tord Fjällström.

World Bioenergy in Jönköping

Jakob Hirsmark, Exhibition manager at World Bioenergy.

World Bioenergy is now the world leading bioenergy trade fair combined with a conference and field trips to bioenergy sites. Planning is in full progress, as always half a year before this global event. “We focus on the bioenergy sector. The World Bioenergy at Elmia in Jönköping is foremost a trade fair within bioenergy, but also a large conference combined with around 100 study visits to hands-on bioenergy applications of all sorts. Last year World Bioenergy gathered 200 exhibiting companies and 4.400

74 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

professionals from 60 countries as well as over 100 accredited journalists. Visitors are mainly professionals within and around the bioenergy sector, but even ministers, ambassadors and members of the royal family come here. This proves that our concept Taking you from know-how to show-how is very attractive.” Says Jakob Hirsmark, Exhibition manager at World Bioenergy. The project team is now placing exhibitors in the indoor and outdoor areas for the 5th World Bioenergy in 25-27 May 2010.

The next big step

Investments in sustainability with 75 trainees. 75 trainees will help small and medium-sized businesses to take sustainable product decisions. Unique investments are now being made to establish a European centre of expertise for sustainability information. As international demands for sustainability increase, there is also growing pressure on companies to change their processes and materials management. But the area is large and the requirements are complicated, which means that it is necessary to have knowledge of how companies can use sustainability to give them competitive advantages. Through unique project involving leading research into sustainability and local stakeholders, the Coresource company is investing in founding a European centre of expertise in sustainability information with a focus on Europe’s 28 million small and medium-sized companies. The basis of the centre of expertise is the classic idea of keeping sustainability information ‘neat and tidy’ and the insight that it is actually part of the product information and Product Data Management systems that the company already works with. This is where the centre of expertise comes in, in order to reduce company lead times by offering services in sustainability. This could involve providing access to knowledge about sustainability, everything from basic information to regulations and the latest research in the area. Increasing companies’ abilities to manage sustainability, i.e. understanding and fulfilling their stakeholders’ sustainability requirements, and providing products with the sustainability requirements that end customers demand, as well as efficiently managing and presenting sustainability-related information that in necessary to enable sustainability-control and sustainable product structuring Trainee courses start at the end of 2009 and the first participants will qualify in 2010.

BioDME and Talldiesel (pine diesel) will be important vehicle fuels in the future. The world’s first two production plants are now being built at Solander Science Park in Piteå. The development of vehicle fuels that are based on renewable sources that cannot be used for food production is vital, such as biological dimethylethers, BioDME , och Talldiesel. Both products have been developed through finding new areas of use for the forest’s energy flows, by refining black liquor and tall oil (mostly resin) from paper and pulp production. There is great potential, particularly for BioDME. Sweden alone has 20 pulp mills and, internationally, there are huge opportunities. “In theory, we could replace one-third of all the petrol and diesel in Sweden with BioDME,” says Robert Bergman, project manager at Solander Science Park which has the ETC research institute as a leading stakeholder. Chemrec is developing the BioDME plant and Sunpine AB owns the Talldiesel plant, which will be finished early in 2010. The world’s first pilot plant for BioDME will also be finished in 2010. Meanwhile, the vehicle manyfacturer Volvo, which is managing the entire project, has 14 trucks that are running on BioDME. “Volvo’s commitment to BioDME is tremendously important,” says Robert Bergman. Leif Johansson, CEO of Volvo Trucks and Robert Bergman, Solander Science Park, Piteå, shake hands on a partnership for the biofuel of the future, BioDME.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 75

GREEN ASPHALT

Green roads with Still an exception on Swedish roads yet demands on energy savings and reduced emissions are increasing rapidly. Green produced asphalt could soon become standard. BY gunnar andersson

p until now high temperatures have been a prerequisite when producing sufficiently strong asphalt for e.g. highways. Consequently, the majority of the asphalt produced and laid on Swedish roads has been hot-mix asphalt. This means that stone material and bitumen is heated and mixed at high temperatures. The process for traditional asphalt production is both energy-intensive and expensive. Each ton of asphalt produced requires around seven liters of fuel oil. In Sweden some seven million tons of hot-mix asphalt is produced annually. This means that the industry uses approximately 50 million liters of fuel oil per year, resulting in large carbon dioxide emissions. NCC Roads has now developed an

environmental asphalt, NCC Green Asphalt, which is a warm asphalt produced at a low temperature. The trademark protected designation NCC Green Asphalt is a collective name for several methods used to reduce energy consumption during the production of asphalt. The production temperature can be lowered from 160 to 120 degrees centigrade by adding water to the bitumen and “frothing” the binder. The temperature reduction reduces energy consumption in the asphalt plant by 20 percent; carbon dioxide emissions by up to 30 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 70 percent. Development started in 2003 and last year saw the premiere of the new environ76 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

ment friendly produced asphalt when it was laid for the first time on a street in Sundsvall. The new green asphalt can ideally

be applied on the same high trafficked highways as traditional hot-mix asphalt. Laboratory tests show that the warm-mix asphalt can even produce paving that last longer than regular hot-mix asphalt. The lower production temperature causes the bitumen to oxidize less, i.e. age at a slower rate and thereby increasing its life in the applied paving. Technical principal Roger Lundberg at NCC Roads in Umeå notes that interest in the new green asphalt from the country’s highway maintenance companies has recently increased significantly. “We have laid 23,000 tons of which 8,000 tons was for Vägverket (the Swedish Road Administration) outside of Sundsvall and on “green” streets in for example Falun and Borlänge,” says Roger Lundberg. n

Roger Lundberg, Technical principal at NCC Roads in Umeå.

new asphalt

The amount of smoke is low when loading the green asphalt.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 77

GREEN ASPHALT

Mobile monster first green asphalt plant

NCC’s mobile green asphalt plant Six Pack was the first green asphalt plant. One sixth of NCC’s stationary asphalt plants are now green. Eventually more asphalt plants are to be converted to green plants. BY gunnar andersson

reen asphalt still only represents a small part of the total asphalt production, but NCC wants to see this grow and interest to spread. “We have had visits from Belgium and the UK and interest is immense,” says Roger Lundberg, Technical Principal at NCC Roads in Umeå. The mobile asphalt plant Six Pack was used for the first assignment. Since then all green asphalt has been produced in stationary plants, but the next major assignment on the E4 between Hudiks-

78 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

vall and Enånger, will be a job for Six Pack. Some 130,000 tons will be laid over a 250 kilometer section of the highway. In spite of Six Pack being smaller in size than

a regular stationary asphalt plant, it has a greater capacity and can produce 220 tons of asphalt per hour. It runs for around ten hours and produces 2,200 tons of asphalt per day. Six Pack was manufactured by the American company Astec Industries in Chattanooga, Tennessee. n

We create the green solutions of the Future The Biorefinary of the Future includes members from the commercial sector, academia and the community at large from the regions surrounding Örnsköldsvik and Umeå. Together we create new products and processes with the Swedish forest as raw material. As we contribute to the transition towards a fossil free society, we also develop dynamic companies and industry. www.biorefinery.se

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 79

WOODEN BRIDGES

80 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Wooden bridges are right for the environment Interest in bridges made from timber has increased in Sweden over the last few years. Wooden bridges confer environmental benefits throughout their entire life cycle, from production and use to recycling. Little energy is used, the waste is insignificant and carbon emissions are low.

by gunnar andersson

The arch bridge over Klockarbergsleden is 35 meter long and nine meters wide. With its 230 meters the pedestrian and cycle bridge in Umeå is Sweden’s longest wooden bridge.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 81

WOODEN BRIDGES

The bridge in Virserum is 18,2 meters long and 8,5 meters wide.

Glulam is made from laminated wood that is stapled and glued together to produce large building elements. These products do not place a negative burden on the environment during their life cycle and are easy to reuse, recycle or use for energy recycling. Glulam production is a process that doesn’t use many resources. The raw material is indigenous coniferous timber, particularly spruce, and a synthetic glue. The amount of glue used is less than one weight percentage. Primarily, by-products are used as fuel for the drying process. As glulam is often “tailor made” for the customer, it does not result in significant building waste at construction sites. During its useful life, glulam has no significantly negative environmental factors. It can be maintained with traditional methods and is highly repairable. As interest is increasing in wooden bridges In Karlstad the pedestrian and cycle bridge over Dingelsundet is 50 meters long and 3 meters wide.

ooden bridges now have the same performance and technical lifespan as bridges made from steel and concrete, both as regards pedestrian and cycle bridges and advanced road bridges that are suitable for heavy vehicle traffic. Most wooden bridges consist of glulam components that are a natural material. Anything extracted from nature should be able to be sustainably used, reused, recycled or finally disposed of with the least possible use of resources and without harming nature.

82 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

made from glulam, there are also increased requirements for the bridges’ construction. Glulam is one the strongest construction materials in relation to its weight and, at the same time, is relatively light. One cubic metre of glulam is estimated to weigh about 470 kilos, which compares to a weight of around 2400 kilos/m3 for concrete and 7800 kilos/m3 for steel. Glulam also has a higher average strength than building timber with the same dimensions. This is because knots and other defects that may be found in one sheet of laminate has only a small effect on a glulam element, because they end up in different sections. Glulam has a lifespan of at least 80 years and can withstand aggressive environments. n

thure m årtensson

Good neighbours are good for business There are historically strong ties within the Cleantech Region to several countries in the former Eastern Bloc. A project that is run by the county councils in Jämtland and Västernorrland aims to strengthen business relationships in the area of green technology. by per trostemo

photo Sandra Pettersson/fotograftina.se

trong, long-term ties with Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic are a winning ticket for green tech companies in Norrland. The county councils, county administrative boards and municipalities have long had twin town relationships in these states, and now good business opportunities are becoming apparent in the previously neglected area of the environment. “Yes, since these countries joined the EU they have been investing large amounts of money in the environment. They have a long way to go to reach the level of the rest of the EU as regards water purification, sewerage and green energy production, and large amounts of EU funds are made available,” says Thure Mårtensson, who is project manager for the EU project “Public and private cooperation for the export of energy and environmental technology”. Thanks to the twin town schemes

there are already developed channels, which is a great help for Thure’s role as a door-opener for the region’s businesses. The twin town of Valga, Estlonia, is currently planning a show house, an eco house where builders and suppliers can display their skills. It is probable that a Swedish house factory may be established in Estonia as a result of these good relations, with the implied new business opportunities. “We have standing invitations when the municipalities meet in our twin

Thure Mårtensson, project manager for the EU project “Public and private cooperation for the export of energy and environmental technology”.

regions to discuss new environmental investments. This provides excellent opportunities for marketing environmental and climate smart solutions. In Pilzen, in the Czech Republic, a new combined heating and power plant will be built and they are very interested in Korstaverken in Sundsvall, which is Europe’s most modern combined heating and power plant and which produces heat and electricity from waste. Korstaverken is a fantastic demonstration plant for the export of energy and environmental technology,” says Thure. This gives big and small green tech companies form the region the chance to

display their expertise and increase their export potential. “Every year, Sweden has around 300,000 visitors who want to see and invest in our energy and environmental technology. But most of them go no further north than Stockholm – and we want to change this. We have so many public and private stakeholders who are so much further ahead and deserve to be seen. “This is why we have begun cooperating with Mid Sweden University, which educates industrial designers and motivated entrepreneurs who are skilled at ‘packaging and selling’ green tech facilities. It is a real boost to have professional marketing and sales of green technology from our region, in an area that has been neglected,” says Thure, who also wants to highlight the important role that the Chambers of Commerce have played. Thure also thinks that munici-

palities and county councils could make ‘more business’ of their environmental expertise now that there no legal barriers. “Take the county councils in our region, they now have zero percent’s oil consumption for heating their buildings! We live among the renewable resources of wind, water and forest. There is unlimited potential for developing green tech companies, but they need help with marketing and that’s where I think this project has an important job to do,” concludes Thure Mårtensson. n

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biogas in sundsvall

Sundsvall is the first in the world with a wastewater treatment plant that can produce liquid biogas on a small scale using cryogenic technology. BY anders lĂśvgren

The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first

biogas plant using cryogenic technology 84 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

The interest was great when first filling station for biogas opened.

he completely new biogas plant is situated virtually in the centre of Sundsvall and means a great deal for the image of the town, which increasingly is about creating sustainable solutions within energy. This is how it will happen: Domestic sewage in Sundsvall is taken care of at the municipal treatment plant run by the company MittSverige Vatten. Once the water has been treated a large amount of sludge remains and this is then sent to the digester chamber. Here the sludge is prevented from coming into contact with oxygen causing the degradation process to start. Previously the gas was burnt for heating

and the production of district heating. The new cryogenic technology makes it possible using chilling techniques to liquidize the carbon dioxide to then remove this from the gas and then create liquid biogas (methane) in the next stage. It will then be possible to transport six to seven times more with a gasoline truck than today. This will make it possible to transport sufficiently large quantities for sales at gas stations in the region. “It is by using cryogenic technology that it becomes commercially interesting. For the local authority the entire production is cost-neutral. We provide the raw materials, it is then private businesses that treat, transport and sell it,” explains MittSverige Vatten’s CEO Micael Löfqvist. The companies involved in this instance are MittSverige Vatten AB, Scandinavian GtS, and AGA.

There are many small communities in the region and considering the geographical conditions it has not been possible – as in many large cities – to build a large common sewage network. There are 46 treatment plants scattered around MittSverige Vatten’s area of responsibility. In the future a new approach is needed to

expand biogas production. A pilot study has been made where Sundsvall’s local authority has looked at the possibilities of building a large scale plant. The idea is that apart from sewage sludge to also use sludge from SCA’s paper mill in Ortviken and domestic waste collected by the local authorities’ refuse companies in both Sundsvall and Östersund. “Operations will be ten times greater than today. You have to be rational and find new regional solutions in order to realize large scale operations in municipality in Norrland,” says Micael Löfqvist. At the present time these large scale plans are set sometime in the future. Yet the switch from purchasing fossil fuel to becoming self-sufficient has begun. n

biogas in Sundsvall Biogas is judged to be a vehicle fuel that has the least effect on the environment of those currently available on the market. Annual production of biogas in Sundsvall will be approx. 500,000 cubic meters of ready vehicle gas, which is equivalent to as many liters of diesel. What remains after the biogas has been produced is sludge that can be used as filling and soil improvement materials.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 85

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Foto: Lars Ă&#x2013;berg, Folk & Flora Foto

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sida

A GREEN BROKER Dag Jonzon is a well-known and highly experienced television journalist who has presented programmes with an environmental theme of national television. He started the first environmental programme on Swedish national radio. He has always been enthusiastic about development issues and, as chairman of the young and vibrant Söråkers Folkets Hus, he represents the leading edge of the Think Global – Act Local concept. BY Gunnar Andersson

ag Jonzon is now looking beyond aid, in order to promote partnerdriven cooperation and sustainable development through the Sida Partnership Forum. His next challenge is the Green Solutions Week in Härnösand in May 2010. Why is Sida hosting a Green Solutions Week? “The idea is to stimulate green solutions, connect partners, to provide inspiration and introduce them to new markets and new relationships.” Green Solutions Week is both

an arena and an opportunity to meet business people and partners from the private and public sectors, as well as researchers and community organisation. During Green Solutions Week, partners can exchange experiences, develop ideas and create synergies for collaboration at Sida Partnership. “In May in Härnösand, the Sida Partnership Forum, in close association with Clean Tech Region and Technichus, will host several seminars with international key note speakers, a Green Fair for Green Solutions, and Technichus will open a new exhibition about a sustainable world – Kretshopp, which will go on to tour through Scandinavia.” The potential in Sweden for Green Solutions and Clean Tech Business is

enormous, as is the global need for better products and solutions. “More countries are now able to manage without traditional Dag Jonzon aid and want to develop new relationships. We are therefore investing more in partner-driven cooperation, which builds on mutual interests and shared responsibilities – and can lead to long-term, self-sustaining relationships. The objective is to create a “win-win-win” situation in which three groups benefit: the people in poverty, those participating in projects in partner countries and those involved in Sweden.” Partner-driven cooperation

is based on the partners’ own initiatives and mutual interest in cooperation. Sida’s country teams are responsible for ensuring that the concept is launched in each country. “We are prioritising countries in which Swedish aid is undergoing changes: Indonesia, India, China, Vietnam, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and a special focus on Iraq and Serbia.” n

Good examples IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, is working with a number of partners in India who need knowledge and technology for purifying waste water. Sundaresan Raghupathy, president of Indian Industry, says “the concept of ‘cleaner production’ that IVL works with is completely new for us. We are happy to continue this process using Swedish environmental technology.” In South Africa, Nelson Mandela Bay has developed a close partnership with Göteborg. Anki Gustafsson of Business Region Gothenburg explains, “Trust is built through effective and long-term efforts, which allows us to support business relations between our regions.” SGU, the Geological Survey of Sweden, is facilitating a cluster called MeetingPoints Mining in order to stimulate sustainable partnerships between the Swedish mining sector and its Namibian and Botswanan counterparts. The goal is to support new business relationships in the public and private sectors, as well as a sustainable mining sector in all three countries.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 87

Green For more information, contact Dag Jonzon, Team Partnerships, dag.jonzon@sida.se, www.sida.se

88 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Solutions Week 18�20 MAY, 2010 IN HÄRNÖSAND, SWEDEN Sida Partnership Forum, Clean Tech Region and Technichus invites you to participate and visit an arena for • New Leadership • Clean Tech Business • Partner Driven Cooperation • Sustainable Development Swedish partners meet partners from China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Irak, Serbia … Programme: Green Business Fair International Seminars with Top Speakers Exhibition about a sustainable world “ Kretshopp” HARD RAIN PROJECT Reinvent the modern world so it`s compatible with nature and human nature. HARD RAIN EXHIBITIONS continue worldwide 2009 6–18 December, Kungens Nytorv, Copenhagen 6–18 December, Sida/Oasen, Stockholm 2010 Interested to show the exhibition and Mark Edwards slide show presentation For Sweden, contact Dag Jonzon, Team Partnerships dag.jonzon@sida.se, www.sida.se Worldwide, mail@hardrainproject.com www.hardrainproject.com GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 89

green highway

In Östersund is locally produced biogas already available and used by more than 200 vehicles.

Green Highway – Scandinavia’s green link 90 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Trondheim

Stjørdal Meråker

Storlien

Åre Järpen

Krokom

Östersund Brunflo

Legend

Gällö

Biogas-pump

Bräcke

E85 Ethanol Charging station

Borgsjö

RME Biodiesel

Vattjom

Sundsvall

Swedish Environment Minister Maud Olofsson trying Green Highway.

Green Highway stretches from Trondheim in Norway to Sundsvall in Sweden.

Trysil

Green Highway is a green transport axle that crosses Scandinavia. The Gulf of Bothnia is connected to the Atlantic by an east-west artery, on which the forms of transport are increasingly environmentally friendly. It is now possible to refuel with electricity and other renewable fuels from coast to coast! This opens new business opportunities for the region’s trade and industry. BY per trostemo

illustr ation green highway

reen Highway follows an ancient route from Sundsvall in Sweden to Trondheim in Norway. Mediaeval pilgrimages on bridleways have been replaced by more modern forms of transport. But we are once again approaching transport that is based on renewable energy. It is already possible to fill up on electricity, biogas and ethanol in a number of places along the almost 500 km of road. It is already possible to recharge an electric car at least every 120 km. Green Highway is a project that is run in cooperation between municipalities and power companies in the Mid-Scandinavia region. These investments are very timely and extremely compatible with the EU’s climate and energy policies, contributing to solutions that reduce environmental impact. “For inhabitants of this region, this

investment is both natural and important,” says Britt Bohlin, county governor of Jämtland. “Green Highway harmonises with the significant natural values found here, and is entirely consistent with the development of the environmental technology that we are so good at.”

The positive effects of Green Highway are not limited to greener, cleaner transport. They also encompass making the region an even more attractive place in which to live and work. Development opportunities in Mid-Scandinavia are excellent, particularly as regards local power production from biogas and electricity from wind and hydropower. The county of Jämtland, at the heart of the region, produces one of the largest amounts of renewable power in the world if you count per capita! There are advanced plans for a produc-

tion facility in Sundsvall that will guarantee access to biogas for vehicles. Regarding the development of environmental technology, there are generally great opportunities for industrial development and growth. Plenty of environmentally friendly business ideas are blooming in the wake of the Green Highway project. For example: manufacturing quiet, odourless snowmobiles; producing charging posts and developing payment systems; four-season vehicle testing, converting petrol stations to energy stations – and much, much more! n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 91

In the Top Coat two robots are working together painting the cab in the colour chosen by the truck buyer. This is the cleanest Paint Shop in the world.

92 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

volvo trucks

The Volvo FH16 700 is the most powerful truck on the road today.

Ice-cold underground river cools Volvo Trucks The Volvo Trucks cab factory in Umeå, will soon be an entirely CO2-neutral factory. This is being achieved by replacing propane with DME and by cutting energy consumption through the use of an ice-cold underground river to cool the production machinery. At the same time, considerable environmental improvements in the paintshop have helped create the world’s cleanest and most energyefficient paintshop. BY Gunnar Andersson

olvo Trucks in Umeå has for several years been making major investments in improving the efficiency of its energy usage and the goal is to have a carbon dioxide-neutral factory with locally produced energy. Energy consumption has decreased by 30 percent per manufactured cab over the past ten yeas, at the same time as there has been a record increase in production volumes. “The factory has for many years worked very successfully with environmental issues, generated highly innovative solutions and shown in concrete terms that this commitment benefits both the

company and the environment,” says Lars Mårtensson, environmental director at Volvo Trucks. Today 90 percent of the factory’s energy

consumption is renewable. The target is 100 percent. The propane used for the painting ovens has been replaced with district heating and today propane is the only fossil fuel being used. The district heating system has also replaced oil as a fuel, and all told emissions of CO2 have been cut by 8000 tonnes a year. Today energy is recycled to the tune of 80 GWh per year. Now propane is being replaced by DME produced from biomass. This is

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 93

volvo trucks

energy savings Project “Ice-River Cooler” was developed by Volvo Trucks in cooperation with the Umeå Municipality’s water supplier, UMEVA. The project has resulted in environmental improvements and considerable cost savings in terms of both investment and operation.

Volvo Trucks

clay

VOLVO TRUCKS UMEÅ

borehole

pump

moraine

rock

“

Volvo Trucks in Umeå, in the north of Sweden manufactures cabs for Volvo’s FH and FM truck models. Production volume 2008: 62,000 cabs Number of employees: 1,300 Max capacity: 90,000 cabs in three-shift production Total area: 300,000 m² Heated area: 163,000 m² Energy consumption 2008, total: 106 GWh

Depth of approximately 25–35 m

pipe

Other energy-saving measures in the factory: • I nstallation of energy-efficient electric motors. • Frequency control of fans and pumps. • Requirement-controlled lighting in the various premises. • Electrical plant optimised for loss minimisation, reactive effect, in the mains network. • Electrical power is produced locally and is renewable, using hydropower from the Ume River.

building

sand

groundwater

Cold water is pumped from an underground ice river into the cooling system of the Volvo Trucks cab plant in Umeå. The temperature has a constant temperature of 10°C.

e are now the world’s cleanest paintshop W as regards emissions of solvents to the air, and it is our aim to maintain this lead in the future too. taking place in a joint project bringing together Umeå University, Umeå Energi, Ö-vik Energi and Volvo Trucks. “The DME project is a good example of how research, business and society work smoothly together to find solutions that really work,” continues Lars Mårtensson. The most spectacular energy saving is seen in the factory’s cooling system. Close to the Ume River and the Volvo factory there is an underground ice river that maintains a constant cold temperature come summer or winter. The icy water from this river is pumped via a two kilometre long pipe into the factory’s own system. This water is used in various cooling systems and has replaced many of the cab factory’s refrigeration plants which otherwise used cooling agents such as freon. The biggest consumer of cooling water is the dehumidification of the air that is fed to the paint-boxes in the paintshop. The first supply of iceriver water reached the factory about a year ago, and its cooling effect corresponds to 3000 kilowatts. Work on reaching the environmental targets has also prompt-

Anders Olausson, Plant Director at the Volvo Trucks Cab Plant in Umeå, Sweden.

94 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

ed energy savings and environmental improvements in the factory’s paintshop. The paintshop has been modernised and production has been streamlined in several stages, thus also cutting the consumption of paint and solvents and slashing emissions to the surrounding air. Today emissions are below 10 grams, which is way below the EU’s limit of 55 grams per square metre. “We are now the world’s cleanest paintshop as regards emissions of solvents to the air, and it is our aim to maintain this lead in the future too,” says Anders Olausson, plant director at Volvo Trucks in Umeå. “We intend to continue our drive to be even regarding both environment-impacting emissions and energy consumption. n

fiber optic valley

Fibre optics for the environment

There is an expanding need for communication, and unless travel and transport behaviours change, society’s future environmental impact will increase dramatically. Fibre optics may be an important piece of the puzzle in managing increased need for communication while meeting future environmental targets. by gunnar andersson

photo Philippe Rendu

iber Optic Valley is an organisation working to make Sweden a world-leader in the development of products and services based on fibre optics. Activities involve helping global and local companies to grow. “We do this by providing support in the form of research, education, financing, contacts and business development, as well as a unique testing environment for technical and behavioural science studies,” says Magnus Burvall, managing director at Fiber Optic Valley. A recently published report

‘Green Perspectives of Fiber-to-theHome’, by Gartner Group in December 2008, states that optical fibres to homes is the only reasonable way to be able to manage increased needs for communication and to meet future environmental targets. “Fibre optics equals sustainability,

energy savings and increased safety. Even now, fibre optics contributes to a reduction in environmental impact and, eventually, it can entail real virtual presence,” says Magnus Burvall. Fibre optics allow large amounts of information to be transferred at the speed of light, over long distances at low cost – and no other technology can transfer such large amounts of data with such energy efficiency. The technology for supplying broadband via copper cables has now reached the theoretical limits of what is possible, while we are just at the start of the development of fibre optic technology. A well-developed fibre optic infrastructure is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Some of the positive environmental effects of fibre optics are direct energy savings in communication networks, savings with fibre-based control systems in property and the process industry, for example, reduced travel and reduced transports. n

Magnus Burvall, managing director at Fiber Optic Valley.

fibre optics Areas in which fibre optics can play a vital role and projects at Fiber Optic Valley. • Energy efficiencies in networks and service halls. • Using the fibre optic network for control systems for property. • Elderly care in the home using modern technology, communication, alarms and sensors. • Distance education with High Definition quality. • Distribution of culture, for example, broadcasting theatre and opera performances in HD quality. • Video conferences

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 95

Domsjö fabriker

Domsjö Fabriker takes another step towards sustainability Domsjö Fabriker’s operations have developed from that of a traditional pulp mill to that of a leading biorefinery. There is now a green strategy all the way from raw material to process and product. The company is moving up a gear and will be the first in the world to start large-scale production of the renewable fuels bio-DME and biomethanol. BY anders lövgren

photos Anders Eliasson

96 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

t the end of the 1990s, pulp production in Domsjö was quietly anonymous and it looked as if a long industrial tradition was drawing to a close – when what was almost an industrial miracle took place. New owners and new ideas resulted in a new direction. Domsjö Fabriker is now a shining example of how it is possible to change basic industry as regards sustainability. Domsjö Fabriker currently has 340 employees and sales worth SEK 1.5 bil-

Domsjö Fabrikers specialty cellulose is being used in a wide range of consumer products. The major fields of use are in viscose clothing and hygiene products where it is an alternative to cotton.

Ola Hildingsson, CEO, Domsjö Fabriker.

Bio-DME is derived from Swedish forest raw products. Bio-DME is made from evaporated black liquor.

lion in special cellulose, lignosulphonate and ethanol. All the products are derived from sustainable forestry, the raw timber that is so abundant in the region.

manufacturing will be based. For Domsjö, black liquor is a by-product that is burnt in its recovery boilers to generate power, but it has also supplied black liquor to Chemrec’s testing facilities in Piteå for evaluation. “For a long time, it looked as if the world’s first full-scale plant would be built either in Piteå or in Michigan in the US. But it will be here in Domsjö, and we are very happy about it. We have already shown that we have the drive and the infrastructure to do this,” says Ola Hildingsson.

million, the largest sum the agency has ever granted. The project will be run in partnership between Domsjö and Chemrec, where the latter owns the patent and the technology that can be sold for licensed production. Domsjö owns the plants and intends to sell the biofuel to an oil company that will manage distribution. Volvo, which is currently developing trucks for bio-DME, is also part of the project. If all chemical pulp mills in Sweden were to follow the example of Domsjö Fabriker and manufacture bio-DME from black liquor, it is believed that the fuel would be enough for half of all heavy vehicle transports, replacing imports of fossils fuels at a value of SEK 10 billion every year. Carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 10 percent. n

Special cellulose: Processed to make viscose and is a suitable replacement for cotton in clothing and other textiles. Lignosulphonate: Used as an additive in concrete production, which means that less cement is used. This makes the manufacturing process more energy efficient and reduces carbon emissions. Ethanol: 94 percent ethanol is produced for technical purposes and chemical products. Plans are now being laid for the

fourth area of production, bio-DME and biomethanol for heavy vehicles. These are products made using the gasification of black liquor, a by-product at Domsjö Fabriker. “It is one of the fuels of the future. The intention in China is, next year, to permit the use of a mixture of up to 15 percent methanol in vehicle fuels,” says the managing director of Domsjö Fabriker, Ola Hildingsson. The Chemrec company has had testing facilities in Piteå, over 300 km north of Örnsköldsvik, for many years, using them for the development of the technology and processes on which

The hunt has begun for investment

capital worth SEK 3 billion for a plant that will start operating in 2013. The Swedish Energy Agency has already given the go-ahead for its provision of SEK 500

Domsjö’s sustainability triangle: • T he raw material is renewable timber from sustainable forestry. • The bleaching process takes place in a unique bleach plant that is emission-free. • The products are complete alternatives to cotton and oil products. In 2009, Domsjö Fabriker’s managing director, Ola Hildingsson,

received Swedish industry’s sustainability prize and the award for the “cross-fertilisation” of the year at the Forest Industry Awards. “The plant is creating the green jobs that everyone is talking about. Its operations are also, through their cyclical nature, an important example to others,” said the latter jury.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 97

oon the Swedish entrepreneurs, constructors and suppliers from Bergslagen will be able to put cutting-edge green technology for sustainable steel production on the global market

Background Steel production consumes a lot of energy and creates large amounts of waste. Future societies that are based on sustainable development will also be dependent on steel, but there will be tough demands for reduced power consumption, that excess energy is put to use and that waste is reduced and put back into the eco-cycle. In our region of Sweden, Bergslagen, there are many companies that are well placed to develop, produce and sell products for long-term, sustainable development in the steel industry. Bergslagen’s many steel manufacturers comprise a large and demanding domestic market that provides the right conditions for developing and achieving world class products. The global need for equipment, systems or “know how” in this area is large and growing rapidly. Gradual build-up The first stage of the Clean Production Centre was finished in January 2009 and laid a foundation for the building of a cluster. Thirty companies are now part of this cluster and their number is increasing. The cluster’s activities have been organised into business platforms. Two platforms have been established and another two are being planned or are at the start-up stage. Thus far within the platforms 19 development projects have been identified. Three of them are on the way to becoming commercial, while the others are at different stages of evaluation/development. The cluster’s working methods and cooperative forms are under construction. In total, around 50 people are involved in the cluster project.

98 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Clean Production Centre Clean Production Centre provides project management, external analysis, network building and functions as a “way in” to these companies’ constructions and products. The local companies in Bergslagen know how to build robust constructions for tough conditions. Clean Production Centre looks for cutting-edge companies around the world and jointly tests their constructions at our demanding steel producers. In the autumn of 2009, an international website will be built to begin the marketing of this cluster’s new, green technology for a global market.

Clean Production Centre has its head office in the Företagarhuset building in Hofors. The unit, which was originally run by Hofors Municipality, is now run as part of Triple Steelix. This is a regional development project that involves eight municipalities, three counties, eight major steel companies and around 200 smaller companies in Bergslagen. The project holder is Jernkontoret – the Swedish Steel Producers’ Association. The aim is to boost the steel cluster in Bergslagen. In addition to Triple Steelix, activities are financed by the EU’s regional development fund, Region Gävleborg and Hofors, Sandviken and Ockelbo municipalities. However, its greatest resource is the companies’ efforts and achievements. Contact: Patrick Olsson, Project manager, office +46 290 29417 , mobile +46 70 3141355, e-mail patrick@cleanproduction.se Visit us at the WWW (Soon in English) www.cleanproduction.se

engy

A modern energy concept with responsibility Newbuild properties comprise a very small part of the total property portfolio in Sweden, and this will be the case for many years. If society’s total energy consumption is to be reduced and a transition to renewable sources undertaken, it is also necessary for older properties to be energy smart. by gunnar andersson

he supply and consumption of energy are two important factors for a property’s environmental impact. This could involve the type of energy source, how the energy is transported to the property and how energy-efficient the building is. However, taking care of these energy issues with an often complex property portfolio can appear insurmountable for many small consumers. One company, Engy, has a new approach to energy and energy services, making life easier for electricity and power-dependent customers from the perspectives of both supply and demand. Beginning by reviewing use and making it more efficient, and then guaranteeing a supply of renewable energy, is what makes Engy’s concept unique. “It can be difficult for many small consumers among companies and municipalities to find the right expertise. We help with everything from analysing energy efficiency and energy saving measures to finding the right source of renewable energy, such as the potential for owning wind power,” says Pontus Axelsson, who is responsible for energy services. Engy offers a concept that

stretches through the entire value chain on the energy market, from individual production of green, environmentally certified electricity/power, to the large-

scale development of effective and climate smart property and industrial facilities. “We are often able to provide long term savings guarantees, which makes investment easier. But there are also tax benefits, while the overall approach allows companies and municipalities the chance to comply with current environmental and climate requirements,” says Pontus Axelsson. On the supply side, Engy offers

renewable, environmentally certified energy straight from its source, based on the customer’s specific needs and local conditions. Demand means that Engy identifies the total energy requirement and adapts energy consumption to the specific needs of the operation. “In concrete terms, we ensure that our customers’ properties, systems and facilities are correctly dimensioned, equipped with optimal technology and have the right settings,” says Pontus Axelsson. The Engy Group’s vision is to be a leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Business is conducted in three areas: Engy Power (supply), Engy Services (demand) and Engy Airtech, which is an independent operations and service company for wind turbine owners. It also owns the distribution rights to Hyundai’s new wind farm through its own company. n

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 99

SSG

SSG has designed a common standard for how to build pipe systems. They has also developed standardised training in both safety and the environment.

SSG makes sustainability a standard 10 0 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Developing common standards in industry saves energy and leads to increased sustainability. Standard Solutions Group is owned by seven of Sweden’s biggest timber industries, but their services are also used by several other processing industries. “Our standardised solutions are now used in 26 countries,” says SSG’s CEO, Jonas Berggren. BY anders lövgren

PHOTO Pär Helander

n 2008, the Swedish timber industry made investments worth SEK 10.5 billion, which was equivalent to 25 percent of the country’s total industrial invest-

ment. “Our owners and customers have enormous collective experience regarding investments. At SSG, our task is to make use of this knowledge and to transfer it to standards that can be used as support during procurements,” says Jonas Berggren. A good example is how SSG has designed a common standard for how to build pipe systems. “By reviewing the needs of industry and its experience, and using the best solutions on the market, we have created a standard that reduces material consumption for pipe systems by 30 percent. In one current project, the customer’s investments costs were reduced by SEK 1.8 million,” says Jonas Berggren. There are no less than 450 stand-

ards in the six areas of technology: pipes, mechanics, construction, power, instruments and surface protection. Previously there were a number of different standards; manufacturers were able to have their own and it was difficult to make comparisons and rank products. With SSG’s help, the industry has found it easier to influence suppliers. Those who want to have a chance in procurements must be able to meet the demands. “It is important to emphasise the significance of the concepts of sustainability and life cycle economy. Whatever the area that we produce a standard for, it deals with fulfilling a need. It goes without

That’s why a standard is written so that innovation can also have a place in procurements. Simply put, the overall functions of large systems are more important than the details. SSG has built a web-based product database with half a million articles. It has everything from pumps and fans to cables and filters. The aim is that industries will use similar equipment and spare parts, which simplifies purchasing and saves money. The database is also transparent in that the companies that are connected to it can search for and borrow critical operating parts from each others’ stocks instead of risking long stoppages. Furthermore, SSG has develJonas Berggren, CEO at SSG

saying that we create energy efficiencies and environmental gains, and use as little material as possible in manufacturing,” says Jonas Berggren. In many cases, the biggest manufacturers are part of the committee that produces a standard. This has been the case for surface protection, where it is necessary to produce coatings that can cope with demanding conditions for many years. It has been important to capture the manufacturer’s ideas and expertise. An interesting question is

how new innovations in environmental technology can find an introduction to heavy industry, if only tried and tested technology can form the basis of standards. “That’s a challenge. Standards may not prevent progress in industrial technology.

oped standardised training in both safety and the environment. So far, almost 50,000 entrepreneurs among the industries’ suppliers have taken part in the webbased safety course, SSG Entre, whilst the industries’ employees are on courses for the “environmental driving licence”. SSG’s services are now spread around the globe, with the help of expanding Swedish industries and as export products for foreign industry. n

SSG SSG is owned by Billerud, Holmen, Korsnäs, M-real, SCA, Stora Enso and Södra. External customers, which are found in most industrial fields, include SSAB, Outokumpu, Boliden, Akzo Nobel, Preem, Sandvik, Shell and Övik Energi.

GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 101

Jämtland County creates renewable energy Cooperation and environmental technology are important to development in the county of Jämtland. Clean air, clean water and attractive and healthy environment are all characteristics of Jämtland. I believe that the green technology products and solutions that we develop in our region will not only help our transformation to minimising the use of fossil resources in our society – they will also be in increasing demand on an international market! The development of new, green technology (CleanTech) is a key factor in ensuring good development and good growth in the county. Britt Bohlin County Governor, Jämtland

www.lansstyrelsen.se/jamtland 102 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Photo: Marie Birkl, Tina Stafrén.

A crystal-clear choice for green builders Koljern™ is the building technology of the future. It is a building solution that provides a healthy indoor environment and lower energy consumption, as well as having a long life. Koljern™ is a lightweight building technique that combines aluminium sheet with foamglas insulation – which is 75 per cent recycled glass – and can be used for building foundations, wall elements, curtain walls and cantilevered decks or roofs. It is easy to handle and quick to install, offering benefits all round.

MRD SÄLJ & BYGG AB Juniskärsvägen 190, SE-862 91 Kvissleby, Sweden Tel. +46 (0)60-51 30 65, fax +46 (0)60-56 14 10 mrdab@telia.com, www.koljern.se

GREEN FOUNDATIONS SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN 103 | WALLS | ROOFS|| DECKS

MA4 nordic

green lean Sustainability is an important objective for the cleantech industry, and in this context the management of resources and increasing the efficiency of activities are given prerequisites. The newly started company Ma4 Nordic in Östersund helps companies, local authorities and other enterprises to eliminate waste in their production flow. This is done with the help of the LEAN method, which was originally developed by the car giant Toyota. BY per trostemo

photo tommy andersson

“O

ur methods can be applied to any company or activities, this can be Sony-Ericsson or Jonssons Smide or Östersund local authority; it does not matter! Olof Andersson has together with Patrik Forslund, Katarina Simonsson and Christer Andersson started the company Ma4 Nordic AB, which “supports, inspires and develops people and organizations to create effective working methods”. One of the tools we use is LEAN, a method that the Toyota Group developed some 60 years ago. “It’s a question of eradicating waste related to time, energy, materials, money and human resources and to attempt to build sustainable and competitive activities,” says Olof. By using LEAN each step in a process

and each stage in the flow from supplier to customer are analyzed. Stocking, logistics, economy, production, administration and all other processes that influence the flow are reviewed in detail. 104 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

“We always assume that the customers’ need is the controlling factor. After all, satisfied customers are the basis for a company being competitive. It is also important that everyone in a company or an organization participates in the improvement work, which must be constantly in progress,” says Patrik Forslund. A part of the LEAN methodology is

to standardize operations so that they are performed with optimal efficiency. Patrik gives an example that is usually used to create an understanding from employees. “We ask all the participants to fold a paper plane from a sheet of paper. They then get to throw them and naturally they all cover different distances. The paper plane that flies the furthest then becomes the model for how “everyone” should fold their plane. It is exactly the same with operations in a company – they can be standardized and made more effective. Another example is the building company that has not put it logistics in order. The windows are delivered to the

construction site at the beginning of the project, they are then moved around and by the time they should be installed they have been broken. Patrik and Olof are careful to emphasize that LEAN is not about rationalization where employees can lose their jobs. “No, not at all, it is a question of saving resources and to become more competitive. The four member of the company

can be considered as living examples of “sustainability” and the value of taking care of one’s own resources. They have a collected competence of management, production engineering, system knowledge, etc from their employment at the telecom giants Flextronics/Solectron who recently closed down their operations in Östersund. Valuable knowledge and experiences to build on. n Olof Andersson has together with Patrik Forslund, Katarina Simonsson and Christer Andersson started the company Ma4 Nordic AB, which “supports, inspires and develops people and organizations to create effective working methods”.

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Unique technology in the north of Sweden for a cool hospital Västernorrland in the north of Sweden is aiming for energy efficiency by employing a unique method - Snow Cooling, at the county hospital in Sundsvall. The snow cooling plant here is the first of its kind in the world and has already reduced electricity consumption by 90 percent. In the winter, about 70,000 cubic metres of snow is cleared from streets and car parks, stored in a reservoir the size of a football pitch and covered with a 20 cm layer of wood chips. In the summer, the melted snow is then used to cool hospital facilities.

However, snow cooling is only one part of the County Council’s extensive environmental and energy saving activities. As a result of these successful projects, the region’s carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by more than 50 percent between 1995 and 2009. In 1995 as much as 5,200 MWh of electricity and oil were used for heating buildings and hot water. Today, fossil fuels have been completely replaced by district heating and biofuels. Västernorrland is one of 12 partners in the Interregproject More4NRG.

n cou nty u o C

rno äste cil V

rrla

For further information please contact: Mr Jan Lindberg, Energy controller County Council of Västernorrland Telephone: +46 611 802 90 E-mail: jan.lindberg1@lvn.se

County Council of Västernorrland is responsible for provision of healthcare, dental care and other specific public services in the region.

www.lvn.se

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2010 is initiated by

Mid Sweden ChaMber of CoMMerCe Mid Sweden Chamber of Commerce creates business for our members www.midchamber.se

www.cleantechregion.com

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br acke systems

Hitech among forests and mountains 108 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

Is the snow depth right or do the snow cannons need to spray some more? Is this patch of ice dangerous and should be taken care of? The piste machine driver enters his observations in the vehicle computer and can also communicate continuously with his supervisor. The company Bracke Systems has developed a unique computer system for fleets of vehicles where straightforward communications save both time and money. BY per trostemo

photo göran strand

racke Systems is a small company from Jämtland with great expertise. With its roots deep in the forests of Norrland, a few years ago the company developed FCGIS, an advanced geographic navigation system for modern forestry businesses. The system is based on all drivers having a GPS and a vehicle computer in the forestry machine. “This has made two-way communications between the supervisors and the drivers possible. All necessary information is integrated in the map that the driver and supervisor see simultaneously on their screens,” says Mats Holgén, CEO of Bracke Systems. GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 109

br acke systems

The ingenious system has quickly added

new application areas. Among others on the ski slopes where many piste machines are equipped with PisteGIS, software developed by Bracke Systems in partnership with Skistar Åre, the largest alpine operator in Sweden. “Skistar needed a system that could manage a large number of vehicles, several supervisors, communications between users and a demanding working environment. They also needed certain special system features, for example the driver should continuously enter comments about observations during the working day. There can be problems with safety devices, blown down signs, hazardous patches of ice or other things that need to be rectified,” says Mats. The supervisor at the ski center can enter or

“

I t is a major advantage that artificial snow comes in the right place directly, instead of having to push it backward and forward with the machines.

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update instructions and the drivers acknowledge these simply by using a touch screen once the work has been completed; this is then automatically reported to the supervisor. PisteGIS enhances the quality of the pistes and saves energy and time, which increases profitability for the ski center. The piste machines have also been equipped with snow depth gauges, which give more opportunities to make large savings. “Yes, this means you can see exactly where the snow cannons needs to spray snow. It is a major advantage that artificial snow comes in the right place directly, instead of having to push it backward and forward with the machines. There are great amounts of money to be made for the ski centers and from an environment standpoint it is a major dividend. The snow cannons are used more efficiently, which saves energy and the amount of water needed for snow production is less. Mats Holgén sees an increased demand for

the company’s system in the future, for example, cross-country skiing arrangers and centers are showing great interest. Bracke Systems is a good example of how a small company with the right expertise and innovative creativity can go far with its business mission. The good growth climate for environment-friendly technical solutions has of course played its part. n

system provides long-term use and good interior climate. Sick houses is the worst nightmare of a house-owner, but with Koljern™-technique you avoid future problems. Your house will be a healthy and sound dream house with a good indoor environment. The combination of the technical advantages in the koljern method, and the long-term profits seen out of a lifecycle, perspective makes winners out of both consultants, contractors and house owners. The first price is non-problem ground construction in the future. The Koljern™-technology is proved to be energy efficient, damp proof, fireproof, flexible and durable. The Koljern™-technology can be used as supporting or non-supporting elements, in small, large and heavy buildings. Pittsburgh Corning Scandinavia AB Hällebergsvägen 7, SE-443 60 Stenkullen, Sverige Tel. +46 (0)302 378 56, Fax +46 (0)302 378 57, E-mail info@foamglas.se www.foamglas.se / www.koljern.se

Give up Bad Construction for Good! Ecology & Economy in One

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ecotourism – åre vision 2020

Åre – a sustainable green destination with 2020 vision

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Åre has been a tourist destination for a century and is now an experienced 100-year-old that is aiming for 2020 with a vision that gives a central role to responsibility for the environment. BY petra järnbert

“Å

re has always had a good supply of motivated entrepreneurs and innovators. Determined people who have understood Åre’s potential and wanted to further development,” says Lars-Börje ‘Bulan’ Eriksson. As the managing director of Åreföretagarna, Åre’s business group, he has a key role in implementing the vision for 2020. Åreföretagarna has more than 200 members who have one thing in common: they need tourism to run their businesses. They have formulated a common vision in which ‘environmental responsibility’ will be one of three focus areas for the destination in the next decade. The other two are ‘unique experiences, year round’ and ‘Åre’s welcome knows no bounds’. “In order to meet our target, we must be clear down to the level of the individual. We have to communicate correctly all the way out to our guests,” says Eriksson. There has been no lack of ideas in work on this vision. ‘Taste Åre’ is an established concept that is within the framework of the vision’s environmental focus.

To complete the cycle, the next stage – on paper – is to use waste and convert by-products to energy. “Our challenge is to create the carbon neutral destination and we have just come into contact with a supplier to provide us with a web-based tool that we can use for real time measurement of carbon emissions. It is highly probable that the destination absorbs carbon during the summer, while the results are worse in the winter. If we can visualise the challenge in this way, I think we have started on the right road. We are not just talking about a technological challenge, but also a financial one.” n

“

ur challenge is to O create the carbon neutral destination.

“We want to connect local farmers with our

service companies. In the best of worlds, we would only consume locally produced foodstuffs and avoid diversions that cost time and carbon emissions,” says Eriksson. He believes that cooperation can be significantly better than it is at present, the dialogue between restaurants and farmers can be both clearer and create greater profitability than it does today. “Meanwhile, there are local businesses that have already taken this one step further. The Fjällbete company has removed supplementary feed like cattle cake and produces meat solely by letting the animals graze in Åre’s green valleys.

Lars-Börje ‘Bulan’ Eriksson. The managing director of Åreföretagarna, Åre’s business group.

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ecotourism – åre vision 2020

Holiday Club Åre is eco-certified A year ago, Holiday Club Åre was the only mountain hotel in Sweden to fulfil the environmental demands of the Nordic environmental certification, Swan. “We are now a modern, environmentally friendly meeting place,” says Jukka Pekka Pajunen, MD of Holiday Club Åre. BY petra järnbert

he conference industry is very environmentally aware; it is not unusual for bookings to rise and fall depending on whether a hotel is environmentally certified or not. “The Swan certification allows us to show our guests that we actively work towards minimising our environmental impact. Furthermore, our efforts are also part of Åre’s environmental work as a destination,” says Jukka Pekka Pajunen. The Nordic environmental certification, Swan, has a number of demands that 114 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

a hotel must fulfil to be Swan certified. In practice, this means that the hotel must reduce its energy and water consumption, reduce the use of environmentally hazardous chemicals, sort and reduce waste, have a documented environmental management system and adapt transports. “We are extremely pleased to be

able to offer an environmentally adapted conference concept. It is possible to take the train to Åre, walk across the railway, attend a conference and stay at the Swan certified Holiday Club. We offer a whole

concept that allows us and our guests to have a good conscience,” says Anna Norrga, sales manager at Holiday Club Åre. From the time it opened, Holiday Club Åre has been environmentally sound, with heat recycling in the swimming pools, time-controlled showers and low-flow toilets, but we want to do more in partnership with our guests. “In 2009 we have worked even harder on reducing our water consumption and increasing the number of eco products,” says Maria Ganmark Åkerblad, environmental manager at Holiday Club Åre. n

in short

Color blind consumers There is a growing concern that success of the green marketplace won’t come from consumer demand, since consumers have proven themselves wishy-washy on their willingness to make good. Recent studies on energy meter interaction show that people are more likely to act on the need to control their costs, rather than to save the planet.  To understand how consumers make these choices about the environment, we have to start understanding the drivers of human behaviour. In recent ethnographic research in northern Sweden it was discovered that people have become colour-blind to “green” marketing arguments, and that many people believe our society is somewhat hypocritical by promoting conservation and consumption at the same time.

The challenge is to provide people with solutions that wont compromise convenience, but that carry an holistic consideration of sustainable aspects throughout its life cycle. Companies can meet this challenge through an early integration of a people perspective that is aligned with there corporate culture sustainability principles.  ”Companies don’t have to be rocket scientists to analyse this, in fact it is very easy to hire a designer to make a prototype to test peoples reactions. Killing green assumptions is one big step towards true sustainability. Listening to your customers will ensure that you know the right “what” and “why” to share with them.” says Martin Willers, Sustainable Design Strategist at PEOPLEPEOPLE.se

WORLD BIOENERGY 2010 ”TAKING YOU FROM KNOW-HOW TO SHOW-HOW” CONFERENCE • EXHIBITION • EXCURSIONS

WWW.WORLDBIOENERGY.COM GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 115

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ecotourism – food in action

Gastronomy for development Fia Gulliksson knows that she makes a difference – in the Food in Action event company, in the Brunkullan AB tea company and as a rural developer, she uses gastronomy as a force for promoting development. “The relationship between what happens in the world and what is placed on the table is of the utmost importance,” says Fia Gulliksson. BY petra järnbert

PHOTOs tina stafrén

ood is the theme that runs all the way through Fia Gulliksson’s life. Not just food for cooking, but food from every perspective there is. Fia Gulliksson eats, dreams, travels and lives for food. She talks food. The ongoing conversations about food with which she fills her days and nights are just as much conversations about global and local development, about lifestyle and health and about social and economic justice. The conversations are not least about a love of Jämtland. “We have fantastic cuisine in Jämtland. Jämtland can boast the most culinary craftsmen in northern Europe. More than 70 percent of our farmers are organic which is due to increased awareness and

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ecotourism – food in action

Three milestones in Fia Gulliksson’s life: 1. T he search for excellent raw ingredients started early. Fia Gulliksson has a tongue that is very sensitive to tastes. Even when she was a little girl, she helped her mother, a teamaker, to blend the prize-winning Brunkullan tea. “Brunkullan AB now sells 16 tons of tasty, pure fair trade tea each year, and that’s one way to make a difference.” 2. I n the middle of the 1980s, Fia Gulliksson worked as a chef in the family-run “Brunkullans krog” in Östersund. “I looked at the mountain of waste we could create during a single day and felt bad. I thought – oh my, where does all this come from and what do we eat, really?” “Brunkullans krog” would be the first KRAV certified restaurant north of the river Dalälven. “Apart from starting to look for locally produced food, we also started to recycle using eleven fractions, and we even had three pigs as part of the cycle.” 3. A t the start of the 2000s, Fia came into contact with the Slow Food movement and Terra Madre in Italy. It was now that the idea was born, that of using gastronomy holistically, as a force for global, regional and local development. Since 2007, Fia has also worked as a creative gastronomist at Jämtlands Institut för landsbygdsutveckling (Jämtland’s Institute for Rural Development). “Profitability is only a small part of the whole in business and regional development, where the environment, health and culture are at least equally important. Who pays when we don’t? Often it is the environment or people in developing countries.”

118 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

“

I know that I can make a difference. A holistic approach to food, life and business gives real profits that make a difference. natural conditions. Producing goat’s cheese has been an uninterrupted tradition for the last 2000 years and you can add Sami culture to that. There are around 70,000 people who live around Lake Storsjön and we can drink its water!” says Fia. It wasn’t by chance that Fia Gulliksson was recently named one of the year’s best role models for a sustainable lifestyle. Inspiring people to think more holistically was the basic idea when she started the Food in Action AB event company in 2001. At that time she had just heard about the Slow Food movement in Italy and come to realise that food and genuine gastronomy can be used as means of developing a sustainable society. Food in Action has worked with royal lunches and NATO

conferences, and during a Slow Food meeting in Turin in Italy, Fia was contracted as a moderator for 1000 chefs. “I know that I can make a difference. A holistic approach to food, life and business gives real profits that make a difference,” says Fia. And profit is not just financial, when Fia describes her wealth. “I have healthy children, my family and I live in an amazing area and I live on dreams that have come true. That’s more than enough.” n

If You find 1/3 of this interesting, we have done our job - now it is up to You! Biogas Väst

Cleantech InWest

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Meet us at COP15 on the Brig Tre Kronor, Dec 9 for invited press and Dec 13 for delegates.

The way to the future is through sustainable growth - share the experience with the Göteborg Region.

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at Business Region Göteborg, is your gateway to the region. If interested in establishing business,we can, free of charge, offer you information, support and solutions to meet your needs.

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Arctura - an accumulator tank which stores heat from the power station in the form of 26 million litres of warm water. Foto: Roger Strandberg

Östersund is GREEN Book your stay in Östersund with us! We arrange your accommodation, transports, guides and visits to climate smart facilities as well as other attractions.

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ecotourism – ca mp åre

Ecotour creates environmental awareness Åre’s largest activity and adventure company – Camp Åre – has Scandinavian’s largest Zipline park and is the only company in Europe to link the Zipline activity with an Ecotour. “There are many ways to make people aware of how we impact on the environment, it is just a question of taking the opportunity,” says Tony Wallin, owner and founder of Camp Åre. BY Petra Järnbert

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zipline Zipline is a kind of cableway where participants, secured in a harness, swish down a cable from e.g. a mountain. It feels like flying.

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ecotourism – ca mp åre

Camp Åre have supplemented nearly all their activities with an Ecotour. Including kayaking on Ånnsjön.

“

oth Zipline and Ecotours are popular activities in the USA, Canada and New Zeeland. When Tony Wallin heard about the phenomenon a few years ago he made a study trip to the Canadian Whistler. “I have taken the best of the concept and developed it for our terrain. It’s all about the sensation in your stomach, you move rapidly and at great heights. At the same time it is a much appreciated Ecotour where the guides share their knowledge of Åre’s environment, fauna and history. Storytelling has actually shown itself to be a calming factor in the otherwise adrenaline rush experience,” relates Tony Wallin.

amp Åre has 200 pairs of C scooter shoes made of recycled PET bottles to rent. Today they have supplemented nearly all

their activities with an Ecotour. Irrespective of whether participants choose to walk, ride, climb, ride a scooter, dog teaming or to go cross-country skiing they receive a little local knowledge. Interest in the environment is immense Camp Åre has noticed a definite increase in their custom-

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ers’ environmental awareness, especially when it comes to companies. “It is not unusual for a company first to call and book an activity for its employees and then to decline the offer when we suggest a scooter safari on account of their environment policy. However, when we explain that due to environmental considerations, we only use four-strokes and green fuel they often ask if they can call back and frequently it ends with them making a booking,” recounts Tony Wallin. Camp Åre has 200 pairs of scooter shoes

made of recycled PET bottles to rent. “We have stopped our four wheel safari; it impacts too much on the environment. Another important element is that we only serve locally produced food and all disposable materials have been banned,” says Tony Wallin. The food is catering from the magnificent Holiday Club complex, which lies wall-to-wall with Camp Åre. “When Holiday Club opened its doors in 2004 we became partners, today we own all their outdoor activities for groups and conferences and together with our partners in the Åre region we can offer activities all year round,” says Toy Wallin. n

The Challenge of Global Warming...

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GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 123

trälyftet Trälyftet is Setra’s industrial building system for multi-storey buildings made of wood. Through Trälyftet, we offer a climatefriendly solution for sustainable construction and housing. Read more on www.setragroup.com.

124 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

wood for life

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ecotourism – High coast

Breathtaking climbing along the coast that rises from the sea When High Coast was added to Unesco’s World Heritage List in 2000, ecotourism in the area received a clear boost. At the time Jonas Vestin had just invested in ten or more Icelandic horses to expand his visitor-based operations. BY Petra Järnbert

PHOTO håk an nordström

“A

s a livestock farmer I had operated ecological farming for some time at the High Coast and the horse riding business naturally became a part of the same ideology of a sustainable community. We do not wear out the nature or the horses. And riding is not the focal point in the experience we promote, it is the nature,” says Jonas Vestin. In order to describe the spectacular phenomenon of the High Coast, we take a winding journey back to the last ice age. The ice presses down the crust of the earth with a tremendous force – it now springs back and creates the world’s largest elevation of land. Today the elevation of land amounts to

285 meters above the current sea level. Scientific studies of the High Coast consider the area a globally significant key area for interpretation of the geological, biological and culture-historical effects of the large inland ice and elevations of land. The tours which start out from the “Hästgård Höga Kusten” involve a great deal of dizzy climb126 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN

ing along the strongly undulating coast where the land constantly rises out of the Gulf of Bothnia. Jonas Vestin never grows tired of sharing his High Coast. He was born and grew up here and has been riding since he was ten when grandpa gave him a Gotland pony to help earth up potatoes on the farm. “Most of our guests are novices to riding and above all they wish to experience something of the High Coast and usually become overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery,” says Jonas Vestin. Completely in line with the ecotourism

association’s philosophy he defends tourism that conserves and takes responsibility for the fragile nature and culture. All the horses are out everyday of the year and have free access to feed. The aim is to recreate the horses’ natural environment on Iceland. “It goes without saying that we only serve locally produced food during both our day tours and three day tours and local entrepreneurs cooperate to give a comprehensive experience over and above the usual,” says Jonas Vestin. n

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ADC Media ÂŠ Photo: www.ingrampublishing.com

- the Energy Hub of Midsweden We cooperate and look for partnership in the field of renewable energy, clean technology, energy efficiency.

Welcome to contact us call +46(0)620-68 27 70 | info@efokus.se | www.efokus.se GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN | 129

final words

editorial staff vol.2

2010 CleanTeCh markeT in 2020 33 Trillion sweden a global key player Poverty can´t helP the climate – technology can a king wiTh passion for ClimaTe mobile monster makes green roads

take action now! ...and create a sustainable, green future together – and the time has come to prove it.

n this magazine you have just sampled and read about the good, profitable green solutions, products and services from Sweden. There are no excuses. Together we can construct and create a sustainable and profitable society if we want. The aim of this magazine is to provide inspiration and to encourage you to get started – so what are you waiting for? Let’s start to think positively about success and sustainability. The magazine is also available on the Internet at www.cleantechregion.com. You can read and download it, and there is also a presentation and information about CleanTech Region. The website also includes all the clever products and solutions you have read about in this magazine and how you can find out more about them. It also includes our reference facilities and how to book visits to see them in action. For more information about Green Solutions from Sweden, please contact CleanTech Region Solutions, your partner in green sustainable business.

www.cleantechregion.com info@cleantechregion.com Call + 46 70 299 40 41 Welcome to Green Solutions from Sweden

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Succes Through Clean Tech – Green Solutions From Sweden is published by: CleanTech Region MidChamber of Commerce Kyrkogatan 26, SE-852 32 Sundsvall Web: www.cleantechregion.com Project Manager: Lars Ling CleanTech Region Phone: +46(0)70 299 40 41 Email: lars.ling@midchamber.se Web: www.midchamber.se Editor: Gunnar Andersson Dynamo Press Kungsgatan 49, SE-903 26 Umeå Email: gunnar@dynamopress.se Design and production: Magnus Werme Syre Stortorget 8, SE-831 31 Östersund Email: magnus.werme@syre.se Text: ADC Media Järnvägsgatan 12, SE-88130 Sollefteå Email: info@adc.se Syre Stortorget 8, SE-831 31 Östersund Email: info@syre.se Dynamo Press Kungsgatan 49, SE-903 26 Umeå Email: info@dynamopress.se Printing: VTT Grafiska AB Circulation: 20,000 ex Language: English

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seidea.se

WE ARE YOU. Everything we do is aimed at reducing environmental impact and the waste of resources. Our unique services help to optimise resources and this in turn leads to more efficient production. Together we can make things greener.

YOU ARE WE. Cleantech is the name weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

given to solutions and products that are conducive to a sustainable society and a better environment. At ssg, we work on the industrial aspects of a number of projects and ideas that lie at the cutting edge of development.

WE ARE ALL TOGETHER.

132 | GREEN SOLUTIONS FROM SWEDEN WWW.ssG.sE