Environmental problems are global, which means that IVL’s expertise is needed more than ever Despite a year characterised by the pandemic, with continued closed borders, travel restrictions and reduced mobility, IVL’s international operations have continued to deliver. The majority of the projects and assignments are carried out alongside parties from other countries, as this is absolutely crucial in order to move forward on major environmental and climate issues. Anna Jarnehammar, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development and International Business, discusses our international work. Why does IVL operate internationally? IVL has long been working on bilateral environmental issues between China and Sweden, usually in collaboration with public authorities in the two countries. This 30-year collaboration has meant that we now have a clear presence in China, with both offices and subsidiaries. China has large flow of trade with the EU, and Sweden holds a strong position as an exporting country in China. IVL is a leader in the field of sewage treatment through our pilot plant in Hammarby Sjöstad. This has led directly to us now also establishing an operation in India, where Swedish environmental technology will make an even greater impression on such a large market. IVL’s expertise is quite simply extremely valuable on the international market, and most environmental problems are global and cannot be resolved solely in Sweden. Who does IVL work with internationally? We are in contact with customers and funding bodies who view bilateral research and innovation ventures, above all between India and Sweden or between China and Sweden, as an important element. Here we are witnessing wide-ranging collaboration across the entire innovation chain, from policy development for more stringent environmental requirements for the business community for transition solutions, to more sustainable communities and industry. We are also in contact with the private business sectors in Sweden, India and China. This includes export-promoting initiatives where Swedish or Nordic technology can play an important role in resolving an environmental problem. In addition, we are working with companies in other countries that want to export to Sweden or the EU, and that want to work on satisfying the stringent demands that are imposed regarding issues such as climate impact, chemical content or other environmental performance issues relating to their products.
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What are you doing more tangibly? In recent years, our consultancy operations have grown internationally. We are working on climate strategies and climate calculations through LCAs and EPDs. This work is being driven forward by increasing demands to be able to reduce climate impact in a short space of time. We are also working directly as a project manager for the client in the construction of two major water treatment plants in Mumbai. We have supported Swedish technology suppliers during the pandemic in relation to sales initiatives and regarding installations of their technical solutions in China. An important aspect of the international activities has involved the promotion of exports, where IVL has operated the Smart City Sweden platform on behalf of the Swedish Energy Agency and where a large number of pilot studies in the field of waste and energy have been carried out in many different countries. In China, we have worked on a number of research projects linked to microplastics, as well as on the exchange of research in relation to air. What environmental benefit does IVL contribute internationally? Sweden possesses considerable knowledge in the field of sustainability, but the amount of good that we can do in Sweden alone is limited. In our opinion, an international contribution can have a greater impact. In particular, IVL’s considerable expertise regarding wastewater treatment and waste issues, as well as within climate calculations and policy issues, can make a significant contribution. What is IVL’s focus internationally? Our focus is on further developing the consultancy operation at our existing locations in China and India, in order to meet the challenges facing the business sector regarding climate and the use of resources to achieve a sustainable transition according to the Paris Agreement. Our aim is to continue to act as a bridge between China and Sweden and between India and Sweden, for the business sector, public authorities and research bodies. We want to further develop the promotion of exports, where IVL’s expertise regarding sustainability will be valuable when it comes to further strengthening Swedish business in relation to environmental technology and sustainability.
IVL SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
