New important step for Biotech Heights
Kemicentrum in Lund has a unique infrastructure, Lund University Prepilot Plant, which is Sweden's only university-based prepilot facility for food, biotechnology and chemical engineering. Lund University's Prepilot plant covers 1,400 m² and includes facilities on a scale of 100-500 liters for advanced chemical processing, food production and fermentation. Future by Lund is part of the innovation platform Biotech Heights where also Lund University, Region Skåne and Tetra Pak participates. But until now, there has been a lack of a gathering place where the various actors can have both formal and informal meetings.
Biotech Heights is developing the Biosolutions area - or industrial biotechnology.
- We do this because biotechnology is a key technology with the potential to simultaneously deliver climate impact, competitiveness and resilience. Through bio-based solutions, we can replace fossil raw materials, develop new innovative food products and build entirely new value chains. The potential is simply huge, says Emma Nordell, head of Biotech Heights.
So far, this sector is not so well developed in Sweden.
- We have the knowledge, the research and the biomass, but we need more research, more innovation, more funding, more infrastructure and, above all, more people working together to accelerate the use of bio-solutions, continues Emma Nordell. And through Kemicentrum we have got the right conditions. It features highly ranked research and education, unique scale-up infrastructures and startups. And from now on a place where we can connect the organizations and the people.
In order for the work on solutions to take off, collaboration is central.
- I have been working at the intersection of industry and academia for a long time and I believe that it is in this dynamic interface that things really happen. There are different logics in different organizations, but we share the same basic motivation, curiosity and ambition to transform knowledge into real impact.
The third ingredient that is needed is a place to be, that is, not only a place where work can be done, but also a place where expected and unexpected meetings can take place.
- To build a strong community, people need to meet in real life, and now we have created the place for these meetings. With hundreds of students and researchers passing through the house every day, and with the co-location of Lund University's pilot facility, Kemicentrum is now the place to be. Here we will build portfolios together, co-create programs, co-host meetings and develop long-term initiatives that none of us can shape on our own. We welcome anyone who wants to come here and develop the place with us!
The Biotech Heights meeting point is located just inside entrance B of Kemicentrum. On site one can use the meeting room or invite investors or customers. Students and researchers from the Kemicentrum but also from many more faculties than LTH are welcome and the team will organise events, seminars and workshops.
For more information on booking, please contact Emma Nordell at emma.nodell@fsi.lu.se
