Please note: this event and its registration form are in Finnish.
The Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and Business Turku invite you to the regional tour of Wood Forward network in Turku: Now is the Time for Wood from Science to Business!
The networking event is intended for companies, investors, financiers, RDI actors and other developers of investment environments who are interested in wood-based business. The purpose of the event is to support cooperation networks that extend across industries and provincial borders.
In the event we will hear the views of industry experts on wood materials in high-value added business. In addition, the services of RDI actors inthe industry for companies will be presented. After a coffee break offering network opportunities, the program will discuss the prerequisites for business growth and financing opportunities.
The event will be held in Turku at the Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki. Guests will have the opportunity to present their own activities in the networking section by using rollups.
Welcome to hear about new opportunities for wood materials and find new partners!
Date: Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 9.00–12.00
Venue: Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki
Address: Lemminkäisenkatu 12b, 20520 Turku
Parking: ParkCity (Joukahaisenkatu 8)
Program
8.30–9.00 Arrival and registration
9.00–10.00 Opening of the event
Business Turku | Linda Fröberg-Niemi, Chief Business Officer
Introduction of the Wood Forward Network
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) | Katja Lähtinen, Research Professor
Panel discussion: Wood material in business – now and in the future
Metsä Group | Maija Pohjakallio, Director of Climate and Circular Economy
Åbo Akademi | Maristiina Nurmi, Senior University Lecturer
Westas Raunio Oy | Juha Vahtera, Chief Operating Officer
Introduction of networks and innovation platforms
Smart Chemistry Park: Markus Blomquist, Managing Director | FP-Pigments
BioCircleToZero: Johan Engström, Chief Technology Officer | ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper
Åbo Akademi: Mikko Helle, Senior University Lecturer
10.00–10.45 Coffee break and networking
10.45–11.50 Company speeches: What do companies need for growth?
Boreal Bioproducts | Marja Jaurakkajärvi, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Fiberwood | Tage Johansson, CEO
CH-Bioforce | Lari Vähäsalo, Co-founder & R&D Director
Panel discussion: Financing for processing wood material into business
Business Turku | Arto Branders, Account Manager, Funding and Investment
Economic Development Centre of Southwest Finland | Leevi Törmäkangas, Team Finland Coordinator
Finnvera | Jyrki Isotalo, Regional Manager
11.50–12.00 End of the event
Please register by Thursday, 5 March 2026.
Inquiries
Financier
The Wood Forward regional tour is coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE). The Turku event is co-organised by Business Turku as part of the EU-funded Green Tech Business & Innovation Hub project. The event is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.
