Welcome to
Nova Scotia – Finland Forestry Bioeconomy Online Trade and Study Mission
Business Finland, Embassy of Finland to Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia invite you to attend this two-day series focused on opportunities within the forest bioeconomy.
Goals of the Online Mission include:
- Expanding Finnish companies’ knowledge of the forestry sector and forest bioeconomy opportunities in Nova Scotia
- Expanding Nova Scotia’s knowledge of best practices in forestry and exploring innovative technology applications and products in the forest bioeconomy of Finland
- Exploring potential collaborations and business opportunities in 1-to-1 meetings
- Creating a network to intensify trans-Atlantic business linkages.
Join us to learn about the forestry sector in Nova Scotia and its future transition plans. Learn how Finland has transitioned from traditional pulp and paper and wood manufacturer to a world-leading forestry bioeconomy, and how it has been made possible by co-operation of all stakeholders of forest value chain. You will also learn how different stakeholders from woodlot owners and research institutes to government and private companies have committed to reinventing the forestry sector.
In addition to the webinar, 1-to-1 meetings are organized between the participants to facilitate more direct discussions.
AGENDA
Webinar Day 1 - Thursday, May 27, 2021, 9am-10:30am (Halifax) / 15.00-16.30 (Helsinki)
Finland as a Model of Success for Nova Scotia’s Forest Economy
9:00-9:02 / 15.00-15.02
Welcoming words
Moderator: Mr. Seppo Rantala, Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Finland
9:02-9:10 / 15.02-15.10
Opening words
The Honourable Premier Iain Rankin, Nova Scotia
Ambassador Roy Eriksson, Finland
9:10-9:25 / 15.10-15.25
The Evolution of Finland's Forest Bioeconomy
Mr. Ari Eini, Director, Forest Centre of Finland
9:25-9:35 / 15.25-15.35
Role of R&D Institutions in Forest Industry Transformation
Dr. Lauri Sikanen, Group Manager, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
9:35-9:55 / 15.35-15.55
Finnish Forest Industry Ecosystems
Mr. Ilmari Absetz, Ecosystem Lead, Business Finland
Mr. Sakari Karppinen, Ecosystem Lead, Business Finland
9:55-10:20 / 15.55-16.20
Case Stories: Finnish Forest Bioeconomy
Metsä Group – Forerunner in Sustainable Bioeconomy
Mr. Jari Voutilainen, SVP Corporate Affairs, Metsä Group Oyj
Forest Management, Investment Advisory, Industrial Development Consulting
Mr. Jarno Seppälä, Managing Director, Indufor Oy
Turn your Biomass into Assets
Mr. Tero Toikka, President, Saalasti Service Ltd.
Materials that Mimic Nature
Mr. Erno Syvälahti, Sales Director, Sulapac Oy
10:20-10:30 / 16.20-16.30
Panel discussion and Q&A
All speakers
Moderator Seppo Rantala
10:30 / 16.30
Closing remarks
Mr. Jari Leppä, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
Webinar Day 2 - Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 9am-10.30am (Halifax) / 15.00-16.30 (Helsinki)
The Transformation of Nova Scotia’s Forestry Sector
9:00-9:10 / 15.00-15.10
Welcome and introduction to the transition of the Nova Scotia forestry sector
Moderator: Mr. Paul LaFleche, Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Lands and Forestry
9:10-9:20 / 15.10-15.20
Forest Industry in Nova Scotia
History, R&D – current status, Forestry Review (Lahey report), Wood heat (LCA Study)
Mr. Gerald Post, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Lands and Forestry
9:20-9:30 / 15.20-15.30
Nova Scotia Forestry Sector
Today’s Nova Scotia forestry industry, Major players and dynamics, Future of the industry
Mr. Jeff Bishop, Executive Director, Forestry Nova Scotia
9:30-9:40 / 15.30-15.40
Nova Scotia’s Bioeconomy Ecosystems
Feedstock Availability, Industrial Assets & Partners, Key Ecosystem Supports, Opportunities
Mr. Rod Badcock, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Innovation Hub
9:40-9:50 / 15.40-15.50
Scale-up Support for the Nova Scotia Bioeconomy
Dr. Beth Mason, Chief Executive Officer, Verschuren Centre
9:50-10:00 / 15.50-16.00
Port Hawkesbury Paper’s Eco Industrial Park Initiative
Mr. Allan Eddy, Manager of Business Development, Port Hawkesbury Paper
10:00-10:25 / 16:00-16:25
Participant Panel and Q&A
All speakers
Moderator Rod Badcock
10:25-10:30 / 16.25-16.30
Closing remarks
Mr. Paul LaFleche, Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Lands and Forestry
B2B meetings - Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 10:30-12:00 (Halifax) / 16.30-18.00 (Helsinki)
The day will continue with online B2B matchmaking between Finnish and Canadian participants designed to continue knowledge transfer, as well as explore potential collaborations and business opportunities.
