More from Research Supporting sustainable development through research
Contents Foreword 2 Key figures in 2018
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Our research Sustainable forest management
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Land use and climate change
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Biodiversity 10 Soil research and microbes
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Sustainable food production and food security
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Sustainable use of aquatic resources and aquaculture 16 Circular solutions
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Industry innovation
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Publication activities
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A year for
revising our strategy In 2019, we revised Luke’s strategy, together with our personnel and different stakeholders. According to our vision, renewable natural resources enable wellbeing and a sustainable future. Our new strategy focuses on a climate-smart carbon cycle, an adaptable and recoverable bioeconomy, profitable and responsible primary production, as well as circular bioeconomy.
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ur high-quality research helps solve global challenges. We believe that agriculture, forestry and fishery play an important part in enabling the bioeconomy, securing the emergency supply, producing food for the growing population and helping to mitigate climate change. These challenges place an increasing emphasis on the need for and expectations of information based on research, expertise and statistical services. Luke’s operations are divided between research, official and expert activities, direct customer activities, and statistical services. Research is further divided into four research programmes: Boreal Green Bioeconomy, Innovative Food System, Blue Bioeconomy, and BioSociety. In terms of official and expert activities, we monitor, for example, game and fish population estimates to support the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as the National Forest Inventory (NFI), forest and crop damage, and loads on watercourses caused by forestry. Statistics of natural resources form a significant knowledge base for decision-making processes.
Johanna Buchert President and CEO johanna.buchert@luke.fi @JohannaBuchert
The Boreal Green Bioeconomy programme studies the forest bioeconomy, ranging from genetics all the way to the further processing of different side streams. Inventories of forest resources in EU states were harmonised in the DIABOLO EU project coordinated by Luke. The EU-funded Efforte project aimed to find ways towards more sustainable and effective forestry without increasing loads on the environment or soil. Furthermore, we studied the impact of peatlands on climate change in a number of different projects to identify not only sustainable wood production in peatlands, but also the opportunities of regeneration and ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loads on watercourses from peatland forests and fields. We conducted research on continuous cover forestry, ranging from its biological and technical foundations all the way to its financial, societal and ecological impact and operating models. The Innovative Food System programme develops plant- and animal-based food concepts from primary production to end products. Our goal is to provide sustainable opportunities for domestic food production and to accelerate exports of innovative food and other products made from Nordic ingredients. Moreover, we studied the production and further processing of protein crops, the impact of microbes and their use in the food chain under several projects. A more sustainable milk chain is one of the focus points of our research: we aim to make milk production more sustainable by means of animal processing, domestic grass production, as well as innovative feeding and manure processing. The Blue Bioeconomy programme promotes sustainable fishing and the maintenance of diverse fish populations and develops new ways to increase Finnish fish production. A new research platform based on a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was opened in the Laukaa research unit. The use of an RAS can significantly reduce
nutrient load on watercourses, and Luke’s research increases productivity so that the use of an RAS can speed up Finnish aquaculture production towards self-sufficiency. An extensive H2020 project was launched, coordinated by Luke, to combine selective fish breeding with optimised feeding from the perspectives of fish health and production. During the year, we also studied the further processing of low-value fish and gutting waste into high added-value products and tested the most promising processes on a pre-industrial scale. The BioSociety programme analyses the ecological, financial and societal impact of the different forms of the bioeconomy on policies and business development, among others. We have produced information about the carbon sequestration potential of Finnish forests, different ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and future paths towards a carbon-neutral climate. Furthermore, we have produced methods and models for bringing different ways of using natural resources together, for example, using the Forest Indicator tool, with which we can evaluate the impact of different policies on biodiversity, the climate, loads on watercourses and wood production. In terms of research, we want to assume a more active role in EU cooperation. During 2019, we were able to increase EU funding and launched 13 new H2020 projects. We have put the know-how produced through top-quality research into practice in applied research projects. As a new instrument for cooperation, we launched pre-competitive public private partnership projects, and successfully built these for silvicultural methods and the management and use of peatlands. Demand for Luke’s service range has increased among customers, and customer-funded projects have made good progress. Based on the progress, I look forward to future partnerships to make more from research together! M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
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A sustainable future and well-being from renewable natural resources
STATISTICS
55 166 Statistics releases
STATUTORY SERVICES
108
SCIENCE
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EU funded projects
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The annual tree growth in Finland’s forest is 107,8 million cubic meters according to the latest National Forest Inventory measurements. Game population assessments
Estimates of fish stocks
CONSERVATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES 2019
21 animal breeds , 13 tree species, 18 fish species and 1101 plant accessions
Scientific peer reviewed articles
FOCUSED ON
VOLUME
SCIENCE BASED KNOWLEDGE THROUGH RESEARCH PROGRAMMES
26 M€
25 M€
16 M€
11 M€
GreenBio
InnoFood
BioSociety
BlueBio
• Genomics and breeding • Sustainable and competitive plant production • Sustainable and competitive animal production • Value-added food and aquabiomass products
• Bioeconomy markets and business • Bioeconomy policies • Sustainability and wellbeing in bioeconomy
• Genomics and breeding • Blue production • Sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems • Value-added food and aquabiomass productions
• Genomics and breeding • Sustainable biomass production • Forest resources and operations • Forest products and biorefinery
TOP STATISTICS BY POPULARITY I
Economy doctor – profitability of agriculture II Crop Production Statistics III Producer Prices of Agricultural Products IV Volumes and prices in industrial roundwood trade
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
FUNDING
21 M€
Budget
30 M€ 125 M€
705,925
Turnover
growth in the revenue
95 M€
Research & customer portfolio
TOP RESEARCH INFRA • • • • • •
Research Forests, Fields and Greenhouses Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) Bioruukki biomass fractionation platform Biogas facilities and pilot plant CowLab® InsectLab Food processing pilot plant
PERSONNEL
632 women
1256
employees
Statutory services
visitors at luke.fi
16% •
9 M€ External
External
52 M€
Budget
647 609 606
624
43 M€
12 8 5
Research locations Experimental stations Aquaculture infrastructures
men
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HEADQUARTERS
professors
Research
Other experts
in Viikki, Helsinki
Sustainable forest management Forest resources data is the backbone of sustainable use of forests; we need to know how much there is to know how much we can use, taking into account environmental, economic and social preconditions. Recognition of the possibilities of forests in mitigating climate change, not only through direct carbon sequestration but also as a source of climate-smart raw-materials, has increased the demand for information on forest and tree resources.
Luke monitors the forest resources and state of forests in Finland with the National Forest Inventory (NFI). The data are merged with other information sources, models and economic data to make scenarios on the development of forests under different management strategies to support political and economic decision making. Luke has close cooperation with other European institutes and research organizations to develop forest information and decision making on a European level.
Enhanced resilience with adaptive breeding From tree breeding to continuous cover forestry and impacts on waterways, Luke’s contribution to forestry research is diverse. Climate change can increase forest vulnerability to damage and disease, reduce forest health and productivity, and
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cause economic losses. Our research on, for example, forest damage and adaptive breeding aims to increase forest survival and maintain its productivity, sustainability and resilience of forests. Somatic embryogenesis is another example of rather new, interesting methods on our research agenda. It helps provide homogeneous seeds for increased growth, but also gives more information for genomic selection, which could help make trees more resistant to certain pathogens. Luke is heavily involved in tree genetics and genomics research to find new solutions to support sustainability.
Fighting climate change requires proven knowledge Continuous cover forestry is a topic that is under a rather vivid debate. In any case, the method
PROJECT EXAMPLES SuoPPP
EFFORTE
Purpose: Towards sustainable peatland forestry - solutions for economic and ecological challenges (SuoPPP) aims to produce science-based information to improve ecological and economic sustainability of peatland forestry. Impact: The project produces concrete guidance for people and organisations within forestry about how different forestry practices, such as continuous cover forestry or strip cutting affect the sustainability of peatland forests and how the practices could be developed. Partners: 7 Financier: Luke and partner companies (public– private partnership)
Purpose: EFFORTE provides the European forestry sector with new knowledge and knowhow that will significantly improve the possibilities of forest enterprises to assemble and adopt novel technologies and procedures. It’s based on three key elements of technology and knowhow: understanding the fundamentals of soil mechanics, realizing the potential of mechanization in silvicultural operations, and utilizing Big Data. Impact: The project aims to enhance efficiency in forest operations, increase forest growth and sustainable forestry, promote cost-competitive bio-based industry, and accelerate the regional economic development. Partners: 23 Financier: Bio-Based Industries
B4EST Purpose: To provide forest tree breeders, forest owners, managers and policy makers with better scientific knowledge to deal with forest vulnerability caused by climate change. Impact: The project aims to increase forest survival, health, resilience and productivity under these circumstances, while maintaining genetic diversity and key ecological functions, and fostering a competitive EU bio-based economy. Partners: 19 Financier: Horizon 2020
seems to be particularly beneficial in storing carbon in peat swamp forests, which help mitigate climate change. Luke studies continuous cover forestry beginning with its biological and technical foundations all the way to its economic, social and ecological impacts and operating models. And as climate is warming, the demand for prov-
SOMAGENO Purpose: SOMEGENO analyzes possibilities of early selection for resistance against a major forest pathogen Heterobasidion annosum in connection to somatic embryogenesis (SE) of Norway spruce. Impact: Adding value to producers and users of SE plants and deploying plant material more resistant to root rot and, thus, decreasing environmental and economic hazards. Partners: 2 Financier: Tandem Forest Values
en knowledge on managing peat swamp forests is growing. Luke is also at the forefront of research related to smart technologies used in forest management and wood supply. The aim is to create more cost effective and environmentally sustainable methods for forest management and harvesting.
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Land use and climate change There is a good consensus among both researchers and policy-makers that better land management is needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. With key focus on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining opportunities for sustainable bio-based business, Luke’s research on integrated land use covers all land use.
For decades, our forest related research has had a strong backbone in forest inventory data, which in its accuracy is unique even on a global scale. Inventories of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are based on forest inventories, scientific models and statistics. Based on latest scientific knowledge and constantly developed according to IPCC guidance, the methodology calculates the emissions of land use and, thus, helps manage the land sustainably. Supporting the IPCC’s work, Luke has also contributed to, for example, the report of 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Luke’s contribution to the regulation in the LULUCF sector is based on the GHG inventory data and estimates. An essential part of LULUCF regulation is calculating national reference levels of
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forests. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Luke conducted the technical calculations for and published the calculation report in early-2019. Luke’s research on forests and climate change is multidisciplinary and spreads across extensive global networks. In addition to land use optimization, it covers themes such as the impact of climate change on forest resources and regeneration; the impact of climate change on forest regeneration, forest cultivation and forestry; and the impact of potential new requirements and practices on the balance of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in forests. In the land use sector, Luke also contributes strongly to optimized use of agricultural lands. Continuously developed in collaboration with farmers, our research based tools for farmers
PROJECT EXAMPLES SOMPA
CANEMURE
Purpose: SOMPA develops ecologically and economically sound methods to manage organic soil fields and forests while simultaneously mitigating climate change. It produces new scientific knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate methane and carbon dioxide emissions from peatlands with the aim of reducing the emissions in an economic way. Moreover, the project drafts greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios for the forest industries, peatland management and trends in the human food chain. Impact: Based on the scenarios, the decision makers in climate politics will be able to compare the combined mitigation effects and the sufficiency of different emission mitigation scenarios. Partners: 5 Financier: The Academy of Finland www.luke.fi/sompa/en/
Purpose: The project will provide novel climate change mitigation concepts, as well as increased capacity and enhanced cooperation between various stakeholders. Impact: The information gathered by verifying emission reduction potential of croplands and forests on peat soil will be used in land management guidance. The project will also communicate information to the stakeholders and demonstrate feasibility of the proposed management practices. Partners: 21 Financier: Life Climate Change Adaptation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland www.luke.fi/en/projects/canemure/
take into account numerous field parcel characteristics, production potential and consider environmental footprint. Furthermore, a comprehensive interactive map of all biomass in Finland – Biomass Atlas – has been created in collaboration with other research institutes and universities to support decision making and new, sustainable investments. The challenge of reconciling various land-use modes is how to synthesize local, scientific and other expert knowledge, and how to select relevant knowledge for decision making. Interdisciplinary understanding of different affecting factors helps reach a solution that is acceptable for
all. Moreover, Luke studies various incentives which would support land-owners and, thus, help introduce more environmentally friendly land use practices.
OPAL-Life Purpose: The project aims at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture following the principle of sustainable intensification, in other words, combining environmental benefits, profitability of the farm and social aspects. Impact: Optimizing the use of arable land by targeting inputs such as labor, fertilizers and plant protection, towards the land where the response is the highest shifting production away from the non-responsive land is expected to result in higher yields, better economic returns and environmental benefits. Partners: 6 + pilot farms Financier: LIFE Climate Change Mitigation
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Biodiversity Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest environmental, social and economic threats of our age. Luke’s research focuses mainly on forest biodiversity and factors influencing the distribution of endangered species in forests. Moreover, our work contributes to maintaining the diversity in mires and peatlands, agricultural fields and aquatic environments.
Luke’s long-term studies on silvicultural methods in commercial forests form a solid base for conservation efforts. Research suggests that methods which emulate natural disturbances and natural development of forests provide more habitats for species in forests. Management of uneven-aged forest stands is only one example of possible solutions. This type of silviculture is not only beneficial to species living in the forest or people’s recreation, on suitable sites it can also provide as much revenue as what would be achieved with even-aged forest management. Forest restoration is an active conservation measure that safeguards and promotes biodiversity. Luke’s experiments compare the effectiveness of various forest restoration measures on the function and structure of forest ecosystems. The research provides information on the chang-
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es in stand structure, decomposition processes of burned and decaying wood, and the influence of these factors on the species distribution. The information can be utilized both in protected areas and in commercial forests. Luke’s research on peatland restoration covers field experiments which investigate the development of species diversity, greenhouse gas emissions and hydrology after rewetting measures. Results are utilized in state-of-the-art modelling studies which predict the future impacts of restoration on peatland ecosystems and optimize restoration to sites where they are best suited in terms of biodiversity, greenhouse gas balances and nutrient loading. A large-scale EU-funded project LIFEPeatLandUse produced information on various alternative uses for the low-productive drained peatlands, and their environmental and economic impacts.
PROJECT EXAMPLES IPBES
LIFEPeatLandUse
Luke’s biodiversity experts contribute to the work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) by taking part in elaboration of global IPBES assessments and in national and international science-policy events.
Purpose: The project (2013–2018) provided information on the environmental and economic impacts of the re-use of low-productive drained peatlands and, thus, finding holistically cost-effective alternatives for peatland use. Impact: The project created a science-based approach for decision makers to illustrate the impacts of alternative peatland re-use on biodiversity, waterways and carbon sequestration enabling holistically sustainable land use decisions. Partners: 6 + 2 with independent funding Financier: LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance
UUTU - New Products from Forests Purpose: UUTU project promotes sustainable and diversified use of forests by increasing the multiple use of forest ecosystem services; providing information on the production of wood; developing Forest Indicator, a web-based tool showing the changes in ecosystem services as a result of forest use; developing forest planning; and developing models that calculate the profitability and trade-offs of the production of natural products. Impact: The project supports forest owners’ decision making and the implementation of regional forest programs as well as sustainable bio-economy and regional development. It benefits both regional and private forest owners and the entire forest ecosystem. Partners: 5 Financier: European Regional Development Fund
Luke develops methods to merge biodiversity values into multiple land use scheme. Information on biodiversity values is merged with people’s activities and land use preferences, and with regional land use planning schemes, to locate areas where development can be carried out in a sustainable manner. Tools, such as Yoda multicriteria tool and Forest Indicator, are developed to help
SoilDiverAgro Purpose: To enhance soil biodiversity in European agroecosystems to promote their stability and resilience by external inputs reduction and crop performance increase. Impact: The project will develop new applications and practices in agroecosystems. As a result, European farmers will get guidance to ensure soil health and biodiversity in different pedoclimatic regions in Europe. Partners: 22 including industry partners Financier: Horizon 2020
decision making and to visualize trade-offs of between biodiversity and ecosystem services. Luke also has a statutory responsibility to maintain genetic resources and to conduct research relating to genetic resources used in primary production. Material in conservation programmes is valuable as such, but it also contributes to maintaining biodiversity and serves breeding and genetic research.
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Soil research and microbes A healthy soil is essential for the growth of the plants in any ecosystem including managed forests and agricultural land. The key challenges in our future like biodiversity, climatic changes, sustainable food production and forestry, invasions of pests and pathogens and the renewable resources for bioeconomics are intimately bound with the advancement in understanding soil and its microbial ecology. There is a need to take a much deeper look into soil: the invisible world of soil microbes is the best indicator of functional soil and full of opportunities waiting to be tapped into. Luke studies these opportunities in agricultural, forest, tundra, and peatland soils.
The soil is a home to massive microbe ecosystems, whose diverse benefits to other life forms are increasingly on our research agenda. It is already known that microbes affect plant growth and health. In one of our research approaches, we study, for example, how symbiotic fungi of forest trees help the nurseries produce healthy and well growing saplings, improving the cost-efficiency of nurseries, and how controlling microbiomes circulations could improve food production. Microbes could also be an important part of the solution to mitigating climate change. They are involved in all the three major greenhouse
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gas production and consumption processes: carbon dioxide, di-nitrous oxide and methane. All these gaseous fluxes are the outcome of the important ecosystem service provided by soil microbes, namely the decomposition of dead organic matter of plant and animal origin. In connection Luke also studies how microbes can help to store more carbon in soil, and, thus help solving the challenge of global warming. In addition to microbes, Luke is also involved in many other types of soil research. One example are micronutrients, that are essential to plant growth but also improve the quality of food. Regardless of the climate in respective
PROJECT EXAMPLES EJP SOIL
CIRCLES
Purpose: EJP SOIL, European Joint Programme Cofund on Agricultural Soil Management contributes to key societal challenges including climate change and future food supply. EJP SOIL targets climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable agricultural production, ecosystem services and restoration and prevention of land and soil degradation. Impact: Expected impacts include, for example, identification and analysis of barriers for the implementation of novel technologies for climate smart sustainable agricultural soil management and of the ways to overcome them; improved and harmonized accounting methodology of soil C and soil status; scenario of European agricultural soil futures under climate change and management changes; and evidence-based recommendations for EU policies. Partners: 26 Financier: European Joint Programme
Purpose: To investigate whether and how natural microbiomes in the spinach, tomato, poultry, swine, farmed and wild salmon and seabream food chains can be exploited for a more sustainable, safe, productive and nutritious food production. Impact: The project aims to create concrete microbiome products, procedures, tools and applications which can be further developed for use in the European job market and economy. Partners: 4 Financier: Horizon 2020
Diverfarming Purpose: To develop new crop diversification systems for the delivery of food, feed, industrial products, and ecosystems services. Impact: The project provides farms and value-chain organisations with, for example, support and guidelines for sustainable diversified cropping systems. Partners: 25 Financier: Horizon 2020
area, soil often lacks these important micronutrients. Analysing the micronutrient levels and creating fertilizing plans accordingly is of essence. Our expertise and work in international
TREEGROW Purpose: The project studies growth performance, microbial associates and root architecture of 4–43 years old Norway spruce clones planted in soils showing variation in spatial heterogeneity. The aim is to understand the legacy behind an efficient resource utilization and growth rate of Norway spruce trees and their progeny under variable selection pressures. Impact: We will be able to validate the role of early root formation behind the variation in the longterm growth rate of Norway spruce and thus provide tools for more efficient tree breeding. Partners: 3 Financier: Academy of Finland
research projects have helped build local capacity particularly in developing countries and, thus, improve the food security in those areas.
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Sustainable food production and food security In 2030, the world will need 50% more food than in 2010 – and that food needs to be produced sustainably. For years, Luke has been active in research related to developing the entire food system from field to fork. From soil health to plant protection and crop and animal genetics, our expertise covers the entire primary production as well as R&D and diagnostics of new food products. We are aiming at sustainable, circular and resource efficient solutions to enhance the competitiveness of food producers. Alongside many economic aspects, sustainable food systems relate to well-being and health of people, animals and the environment. Luke produces information on the importance of responsibility and the related indicators for various actors in the food system. In addition, we provide information on how sustainability can be improved at different levels in the food system.
Improving food security Climate change and related issues such as loss of biodiversity, and sudden crisis, such as pandemics set great challenges for the food system. We need tools to increase resilience of the food system, to mitigate climate change and to adapt to changes. Luke promotes diversification of Finnish food system by developing solutions for enhancing
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production and use of domestic alternative proteins from field to plate. We also study the potential of innovative microbiome solutions in all stages of the food chain for increasing food security and healthy nutrition in the changing climate. Climate change mitigation means include, for example, decreasing the methane emissions of ruminants by breeding and nutritional solutions. Our genomic research is essential for breeding for resource efficient, robust livestock and new crops that can better adapt to changing climate e.g. by being resistant to certain plant diseases and, thus, improve food security. The environmental impacts and carbon footprint of different production technologies, food products and diets are studied to understand scientific basis of environmentally sustainable food
PROJECT EXAMPLES SIMBA
ClearFarm
Purpose: The vision of the project is to create a better EU Agro-Aqua-Food system that is resource efficient, climate resilient, sustainable and consumer centred by creating connectivity at local, regional and European level. Using a holistic approach, SIMBA will harness complex soil and marine microbial communities for the sustainable production of food and deliver tangible benefits to society. Impact: Open access database containing microbiome data that identify useful microbiomes that support food production; new innovations enhancing consistency of microbiomes in field application for improved plant productivity, sustainable agriculture and increased availability arable land; change towards a more sustainable diet. Partners: 22 Financier: Horizon 2020
Purpose: To use Precision livestock farming (PLF) technology to increase animal welfare in the whole production chain of dairy cows and pigs. It will co-design, develop and validate a platform that will inform both farmers and consumers to assist their decision-making. Impact: Improved sustainable pig and dairy cattle production and provide animal welfare information, as well as other environmental and economic sustainability information that will assist production chain stakeholders and consumers in decision making. Partners: 6 research organisations + 8 companies Financier: Horizon 2020
MASTER Purpose: The project is using high throughput sequencing technologies to map microbiomes across a range of food and non-food environments. By developing microbiome products, foods/feeds, services and processes, the project will improve the quantity, quality and safety of food. Impact: Knowledge generated within MASTER will improve plant, soil, animal and human health and reduce the demand for traditional insecticides, fertilizers and antibiotics. Partners: 28 Financier: Horizon 2020
MiMi Purpose: Novel microbiome and metalobomic tools into use in developing safety and sustainability of the milk chain (MiMi) project will provide novel information of the role of microbiomes in milk chain starting from feeds through the digestive tract of the ruminant and finally reaching milk and milk products. Impact: Increased understanding of the role of microbiomes in the production chain and how to manipulate them through feed production to be used to improve the safety and sustainability of the milk chain. Partners: Lanzhou University Financier: Academy of Finland
production and consumption patterns and possibilities are strongly on our research agenda.
Food waste is waste of money Minimising food waste is another important topic in improving the sustainability and resource-efficiency of the food system. Unnecessarily produced food is a burden on both the economy and the environment. To improve the situation, Luke develops new ways to monitor and reduce food waste in the entire value chain. Simultaneously, we help producers make use of side streams and by-products to promote circular economy and new business. M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
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Sustainable use of aquatic resources and aquaculture Fish and seafood are increasingly important form of nutrition in every parts of the world. Ensuring sustainable use of fish and other aquatic resources is of essence.
Luke provides a wide range of research resources to enable the sustainable use of waters and fish stocks. Continuous development of methodology through international cooperation is an integral part of the work. The restoration of regulated watercourses is an important area of our research, aiming to find solutions for enhancement of natural reproduction of migratory fish, revival of endangered fish populations and conservation of fish biodiversity. The management of fisheries both in the Baltic Sea and in the inland waters support both sustainable and profitable fishing industry as well as extensive recreational fisheries. Spatial planning is an important recent process aiming to maintain prosperous fish stocks. The potential of blue wellbeing services is also investigated. For decades, Luke has developed methodology for sustainable aquaculture. Our key expertise is in cold water fish farming, in flow-through and
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recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Aquaculture is a rapidly growing way of producing protein-rich food, already accounting for a bigger share of the fish on our plates than fisheries. Furthermore, fish is farmed for stocking into natural waters, securing the conservation of biodiversity and management of endangered species – and the livelihoods of fishermen and recreational fisheries.
PROJECT EXAMPLES Innovation Programmes for Fisheries
Restoring migratory fish in regulated waters
Purpose: Part of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme for Finland, the Innovation Programmes for Fisheries aim to develop the cooperation within the entire fishing industry and its value chain. The scope of the programmes includes network-based development of fisheries, fisheries’ environmental innovations, sustainable aquaculture and restoration of environments. Impact: The programmes promote fisheries’ product development, strengthen private and public partnerships, and encourage courageous experiments. Planned to continue until 2022, the programmes have already brought concrete results in form of, for example, methods to produce new kind of “pulled fish” products of under-utilised fish species. Partners: 3 coordinators + research and industry partners. Luke coordinates three of the five programmes and is an active partner in the other two. Financier: European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
Purpose: To improve the living conditions of migratory fish in regulated rivers and water courses by providing new information on the behaviour of migrating fish and supporting solutions to it. A central part of the project is to combine the information produced by researchers and hydropower companies for modelling flowing and turbulent water and fish movements in modified channels, and to advance fish monitoring in general. Impact: The partnership has increased the mutual understanding of different parties and advanced research-based solutions aiming to improve the conditions of migratory fish in regulated waters. Customers: Hydropower companies, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, regional ELY-centres Financiers: Fortum Oy, Kemijoki Oy, PVO-Vesivoima Oy, Vattenfall Oy, UPM Energy Oy, Oulun Energia Oy, Helen Oy, Kolsin Voima Oy, Finnish Energy, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Luke.
AquaImpact
Developing cold water fish farming in Vietnam
Purpose: To integrate the fields of fish breeding and nutrition to increase the competitiveness of EU’s aquaculture of Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, gilthead seabream and European seabass, to ensure food and nutrition security and to satisfy consumer demands for high-quality seafood with limited environmental impact. Impact: The project’s input will help produce more robust, healthy, nutritious and resource-efficient fish to meet consumer needs. Thus, it promotes industrial practices of re-circular bioeconomy, zero-waste and efficient use of natural resources. Partners: 22 + 2 third party members Financier: Horizon 2020
Purpose: A long-term project aimed to establish cold water fish farming in Northern and Central Vietnam. In cooperation with Research Institute for Aquaculture No1 (RIA-1) and Finnish Food Safety Authority, Luke helped in building a pilot farm and built local capacity to support sustainable growth of the sector. Impact: The number of cold water fish farms has increased from zero to over one hundred, producing over two million kilos of fish. Currently, cold water fish farming employs 10,000–15,000 people in Vietnam directly or indirectly, bringing wealth to the region. Partners: 3 Financier: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
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Circular solutions When there are not enough resources for the rapidly growing population, reusing them is a must. From valorization of forest industry’s side streams to recycling nutrients of food production, Luke promotes circular economy in all its research programmes.
Valorisation of biomass from various sidestreams including wood and food processing for high value products is at the core of Luke’s circular solutions. Based on our core competences in extraction and fractionation, microbiological processing; anaerobic digestion and biogas processes; enzymatic bioprocessing; slow pyrolysis; we offer a wide range of services. These include, for example, environmentally sound refining; fractionation; extraction and processing technologies to multiply the value of the raw material. Such technologies help use the raw material in a resource efficient and feasible way. We aim to combine biomass from various sources into new products to replace those depending on fossil raw materials. For food industries in particular, optimisation of nutrient cycles and recovery as part of the entire valorisation chain plays an essential role
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as well. Furthermore, farm-scale nutrient balance is essential for sustainable food production. However, it requires precise data on manure quantity and characteristics. Together with leading European research institutes and universities, Luke works to enhance European manure management. Besides agriculture, recycling nutrients is important in a bigger picture, too. Luke explores innovative ways to reuse nutrients in, for example, ash from the side streams of energy production. Another circular solution with a nutrient cycle could be a concept of “blue pulp mill” – a combination of a pulp mill and an aquaculture facility. Or we could even produce suitable biomaterials to be used in bioplastic production, based on utilization of anaerobic digestion process to produce volatile fatty acids.
PROJECT EXAMPLES Tannins for waste-water treatment (TanWat) Purpose: To develop methods for producing biodegradable tannin-based polymers from softwood bark for replacement or complements of the traditional waste-water treatment chemicals (e.g. PAM, FeCl3). The performance of prepared tannin-based polymers will be tested both at laboratory and pilot scale for various waste waters. Impact: Fossil-based chemicals could be replaced in wastewater treatment with novel biomaterials made from the by-products of the forest industry. Close collaboration with the forest and chemical industries and waste-water treatment plants will promote practical application of the results. Partners: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Financier: EU Interreg Botnia-Atlantica
PROMINENT Purpose: In 2015–2018, PROMINENT explored novel disintegration, fractionation and extraction technologies to produce protein from plant residues. Impact: While addressing the global food security demand for increased amounts of dietary protein,
intensification the use of their side streams also offers means to improve the economy of related processes. For consumer food companies, availability of new protein ingredients offers new business opportunities in terms of development of new high-protein product concepts. Partners: 9 Financier: Bio-Based Industries
HerääPahvi! Purpose: The project aims to create sustainable fibre based and functional food packaging by utilising fibres from the side streams of food industry, for example from barley and oat hulls. Impact: The project is expected to partly replace cellulose in packaging and, thus, advancing raw material efficiency and circular economy. A close collaboration between food industry, scientists, paper making experts and designers supports innovation, growth and job creation. Partners: 2 Financier: European Social Fund
M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
19
Industry innovation Supporting new, sustainable business is an essential part of Luke’s work. Adding value to biomass and utilizing production side streams and by-products contribute to circular, resource smart economy, where less is more. With our well-equipped research and development facilities, also small-scale businesses can make use of top research and technology without big investments. From wood products and useful compounds extracted from trees to new aquaculture innovations and health products, Luke’s offering for industry partners spans all our research programmes. Bark, for example, is a real treasure chest of useful chemical components. Using its anti-microbial and anti-oxidant compounds wisely with innovative treatment techniques multiplies the value of biomass thousand-fold or more. Together with our partners, we explore novel methods to enhance the utilization of polyphenols, ingredients, and other useful compounds of tree and bark. Innovative food and feed products are a growing category in Luke’s R&D offering. In our modern pilot hall we test and develop new products and production processes. Our in-depth expertise in raw materials, competence in multiple industries, and long-term research supports
20
M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
innovation of new products for both people and animals, as well as novel technologies and improved processes. Concrete results of the work include, for example, Benella rainbow trout, which is a result of optimized plant-based feeding; and a health product for dogs. At the core of our R&D work is sustainable use of raw material. We help our customers develop products that help increase both people’s and nature’s wellbeing.
PROJECT EXAMPLES WoodCircus
Optibark
Purpose: To promote wood-based value chains as a key part of a circular bioeconomy in Europe and to improve resource efficiency, reuse and recycling, circular economy and sustainability, efficient cross-border transfer of good practices, and set-up of efficient network collaboration. Impact: WoodCircus contributes to the development of sustainable society which is expected to create more employment predominantly in rural areas of Europe by connecting them to urbanization process, and to the adoption of circular economy practices throughout the wood construction value chain. Partners: 8 + 9 industry partners, coordinated by VTT Financier: Horizon 2020
Purpose: Industrial bark is an abundant source of underutilised biomass (annually 13 million m3 in Finland and Sweden). Industry-relevant fractionation methods for bark and further for the production of different types of intermediates for high-value applications are developed. Impact: The goal of the project is to contribute to Finland’s and Sweden’s vision of becoming world leaders in the transition to a bio-based economy by 2030. Expected results include, e.g. cost-efficient manufacturing of competitive biobased materials and chemicals from industrial rest material by optimized processes and innovative cross-sectorial cooperation that creates competitiveness and new business opportunities that fill a clear marked need. In addition, strengthen competitiveness of project partners within the circular bioeconomy, by developing sustainable solutions to global challenges by creating development within the aspects technology, market and sustainability. Partners: 17, coordinated by Holmen AB Financier: Business Finland and Vinnova
VALUEPOT Purpose: To create database on feasible sources of alternative and under-utilized plant-based fibers for industrial processing, explores and develops fiber processing techniques to make prototypes for diverse applications together with partners, analyzes sustainability and customer-acceptance aspects of new fiber-based material prototypes. Impact: Plant-based fibres and side-streams of forestry biomass are globally important bioresources. The project strengthens Luke’s competence in collaborating and producing scientifically valid knowledge relevant for industries on characterization and properties of fibres from primary production, linking the acquired knowledge with logistic and industrial processes generating added value to fibres, and fortify research collaboration with partners on prototyping and business concepts. Partners: Aalto University ChemArts program + a network Fibre Net of other academic and industrial partners will be developed during the project Financier: Luke strategic funding
Package Heroes Purpose: To create concepts for food packaging solutions, which address simultaneously food protection and global concern of plastic packaging waste, based on recyclable and biodegradable wood fibre materials and new food delivery, consumption, and recycling concepts. Impact: For business actors the project provides information about biodegradable or recyclable materials, novel business concepts and support for ecosystem building. Regulators and authorities will get recommendations for policy measures towards sustainable food packaging. Consumer organizations, citizen-consumers and environmental NGOs will get information on sustainable materials and opportunities to collaborate with the leading actors in the field. Partners: 4, coordinated by VTT Financier: Academy of Finland
M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
21
Publication activities
246
Goal
22
Publications
FWCI
SDG 2
Zero hunger
129
2,35
SDG 3
Good health and wellbeing
102
1,65
SDG 7
Affordable and clean energy
58
1,31
SDG 12
Responsible consumption and production
59
1,77
SDG 13
Climate action
356
2,29
SDG 14
Life below water
78
1,59
SDG 15
Life on land
195
1,65
M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
1616
77
2016-2019
Number of co-authored publications by region
Luke
38
68
222
M O R E FR O M R E S E A R C H
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