Research and Development
The driving force behind Kemira's R&D is economically viable sustainability; both in terms of making our own water footprint cleaner, our water footprint related thinking more standardized on our strategic markets, and our clients’ processes and products more efficient and economical.
Achievements in water-related research
Several innovations brewing up from the most important R&D investments are nearly ready for more extensive commercial production. One of these areas is desalination, which enables producing more clean water to the world and is thus seen as a very good area for market growth. The use of chemicals in membrane technologies is another area of good progress in 2011. In addition, there are special projects focused on nutrient recovery, developing value from waste, and for reducing oil dependency. These involve activities that were ongoing in 2011 and continuing from 2012 onwards.
There are many pilot projects ongoing in China, India and in the USA with antiscalants and applications for shale gas production and desalination. This has involved establishing the organization, generating the projects, and setting the network for people to proceed in collaboration, with both our client and partner organizations to scale up the research work from the laboratories into profitable practice.
Focus on sustainable raw materials in 2012
Sustainability is an essential part of Kemira’s overall strategy. R&D’s role and responsibility, as part of the bigger chain of operators, is to support the core business and production of the company by always looking for new opportunities and technologies. It is also essential to keep looking for new processes and alternative raw materials. There are several actions ongoing for this that will continue during 2012.
The main target for the future is to utilize renewable raw materials, such as biomass, more efficiently. The new research center in São Paulo is especially involved in developing solutions for this.
Key Facts
- Four research and development centers in Espoo (Finland), Atlanta (USA), Shanghai (China) and São Paulo (Brazil).
- 350 employed water chemistry experts
- EUR 39.7 million R&D in 2011