Millions of research funds for green transition in Helgeland
The gang behind Indigo: Marianne Steinmo and Thomas Lauvås at the Center for Industrial Business Development, Nord University, Tazrin Ahmed at SINTEF Helgeland, Gunnar Moe at Rana Gruber, Ada Jervell at SINTEF Helgeland, Monica Paulsen at Kunnskapsparken Helgeland and ACT, Kim-Andrè Åsheim at Mo Industripark, Maiken Bjørkan at Nordland Research Institute . In the foreground is project manager Krister Salamonsen. Photo: Kunnskapsparken Helgeland
The next six years will Nordland Research Institute help develop knowledge-based green industry in Helgeland.
A truly major project has received support from the Research Council. Over the next six years, "Indigo" will receive 28 million kroner to develop regional business in Helgeland. With the own efforts of all partners, the scope will be around 40 million.
The partners in question are, in addition to Nordland Research Institute also Sintef Helgeland and the strong industrial environment with Mo Industripark and the ACT cluster at the forefront. Nord University is leading the project.
– The focus is on strengthening the industrial environment in Helgeland with relevant research and expertise, says Jarle Løvland, research manager for the industry group at Nordland Research Institute .
– The main idea is that R&D environments work together with and within the business community to develop new and sustainable solutions and take part in the great opportunities for green industrialization.
Reaping the fruits of co-location
Maiken Bjørkan from Nordlandsforskning, who helped draft the application to the Research Council, is at Campus Helgeland. She is delighted with the award.
– You talk about how collaboration can bear fruit, she says.
The R&D environment at Campus Helgeland consists of Nordland Research Institute , SINTEF Helgeland and the Center for Industrial Business Development at Nord University. Together they will now assist the industry in finding a sustainable path into the future. Close collaboration with the ACT cluster and the Knowledge Park
– This is a hugely important project. Helgeland is facing major growth and will be at the forefront of efforts to achieve the green shift based on the needs of the industry, says Bjørkan.
– Indigo is a child of Campus Helgeland. Being co-located and close to industry has now brought many important millions to the region.
Important with long duration
Nordland Research Institute has primary responsibility for one of three work packages in the project.
– We collaborate closely with the other work packages, but have special responsibility for developing a strategy to build and strengthen a well-functioning regional innovation system for green growth, says Løvland.
– We are fortunate to be able to build on Nordland's long experience in working strategically with industrial innovation, where the industrial environment in Helgeland is an important driver for restructuring and increased sustainability.
The research leader sees the fact that the project will last for a full six years as a great strength.
– Indigo gives us the opportunity to further develop collaboration between the industrial environment and research over time, he says.
– It is important to create long-term arenas for developing collaboration. The project and the close interaction with the industrial environment and the ACT cluster will provide relevant insight and create networks that will benefit both the business community, the region and us. Researchers .
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