Category: Five minutes with…

Dr. Jyrki Kangas is Professor of Forest Bioeconomy and Head of the School of Forest Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. He was the CEO and Director General of Metsähallitus during 2007-2014, a State forest enterprise governing the state-owned lands and waters in Finland. Kangas has been awarded the Scientific Achievement Award by IUFRO and he has had plenty of national and international positions of trust; e.g., the Vice-President of EUSTAFOR, and the Chair of the Boards of Koli Forum and the Foundation for European Forest Research.

Dr. Jyrki Kangas will be appearing on the Education panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of education to the future of circular bioeconomy.

Suzano is the largest pulp and paper company in Latin America. With operations in nearly 60 countries and a history dating back 94 years, Suzano is the world’s second largest producer of eucalyptus pulp, one of the ten largest producers of market pulp and the regional market leader in paper for domestic and commercial use.

Walter Schalka will be appearing on the CEO Discussion Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about Suzano’s role in the circular bioeconomy as well as operating in a post COVID-19 world.

Mariya Gabriel is the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, at the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.

Mariya Gabriel will give a keynote speech during the first session, Regulators and Climate Change, at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. She spoke to the WCBEF about the importance of a sound circular bioeconomy strategy and the bioeconomy’s role in the post Covid-19 world.

Metsä Spring Ltd., part of Metsä Group, is an innovation company with the ambition to catalyse the creation of new businesses related to forest-based bioeconomy and circular economy.

Niklas von Weymarn, CEO of Metsä Spring, will be appearing on the Biobased value chains panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. He spoke to the WCBEF about Metsä Spring’s role in the post Covid-19 world and the future of bioproducts.

Neste is the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the polymers and chemicals industries.

Mercedes Alonso will be appearing on the CEO Discussion Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. She spoke to the WCBEF about Neste’s role in the circular bioeconomy as well as operating in a post COVID-19 world.

Valmet is a leading supplier of technology, equipment and services to the global bioproducts industry. Its customers include pulp, paper and tissue manufacturers, as well as producers of other high-end products derived from using wood as a raw material.

Pasi Laine will be appearing on the CEO Discussion Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020. Laine spoke to the WCBEF about Valmet’s role in the circular bioeconomy as well as operating in a post COVID-19 world.

Pasi Laine3

Citi is a global bank, connecting millions of people across the world, by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress.

Courtney Lowrance leads Citi’s Sustainable Banking and Corporate Transitions team for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. She will be appearing on the Sustainable Financing Panel at the World Bioeconomy Forum (WCBEF) virtual event to be broadcast live from Ruka, Finland on 10th September 2020.

Courtney Lowrance spoke to the WCBEF about Citi’s role in the post Covid-19 world and the investment opportunities in the circular bioeconomy.