1.2.2018

UPM and ÅAU into strategic partnership

UPM and Åbo Akademi University expand their cooperation by signing a frame agreement that covers several fields of research. UPM and Åbo Akademi University have previously already cooperated in biomedicals research which is one of Åbo Akademi University’s spearhead fields and a focus area of UPM’s Biochemicals unit. The frame agreement strengthens cooperation in biomedicals and also in paper, pulp and energy research.

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries and builds a sustainable and innovation-driven future for example through close cooperation with partners. The purpose is to promote business development and speed up innovations also in new areas, such as biomedicals.

“We are actively looking for strategic partners on a global scale. The frame agreement with Åbo Akademi University strengthens UPM’s network of strategic partnerships in areas that are essential for future businesses,” says Pekka Hurskainen, Vice President of Technology Strategy Development at UPM.

UPM and Åbo Akademi University have already been doing successful cooperation with GrowDex® cellulose nanofibril hydrogel. It is UPM’s first commercial product developed for biomedical purposes. It is especially well suitable for 3D cell culture applications, such as pharmaceutical research and development. GrowDex is highly biocompatible with human cells and tissues.

“We are pleased with the frame agreement with UPM. It is a continuum of a long cooperation that has been active thoughout the years in the fields of chemical engineering, material and process research, and biomedicals. This cooperation can now be further strengthened,” says Niklas Sandler, Vice Rector, Research Affairs at Åbo Akademi University.

For further information please contact:

Vice Rector, Research Affairs, Åbo Akademi University, Niklas Sandler, niklas.sandler@abo.fi, tel. +358 2 215 4837

Vice President, Strategy Development, Technology, UPM, Pekka Hurskainen, pekka.hurskainen@upm.com, tel. +358 400 645 969

Picture Copyright: UPM