In North-Middle Sweden, where steel, paper and wood products meet ground-breaking innovation, international collaboration is more than just a strategy — it is a vital factor for the region’s economic future. Here we explain how players in Värmland, Dalarna and Gävleborg not only adapt to the global market, but also shape it.
Did you know that North-Middle Sweden is a significant exporter of materials including steel, paper and wood products? In addition, cutting-edge technology from this region is used by manufacturing companies around the world. For many companies in Dalarna, Gävleborg and Värmland, access to the world market is not just an opportunity, it is a survival strategy. A fundamental piece of the puzzle to ensure this global reach is to establish strong international connections.
Paul Nemes, Vice President, Paper Province.
A concrete example of how players in North-Middle Sweden are strengthening their industrial global position is through cooperation with Canada in the field of forestry industry issues. Paul Nemes, Vice President of Paper Province, points out the importance of this collaboration:
Canada has a strong industry that is looking for renewable, low-carbon solutions, and in Sweden we are strong in innovation. It is therefore important to develop cooperation between the countries and to show together how the forest can contribute to solving several of the global challenges we are facing.
Through its involvement in North-Middle Sweden’s innovation support system, Paper Province works strategically to support the industry’s international growth. This is done in the form of project activities financed by public funds, carried out in collaboration with regions, companies and other relevant stakeholders.
Long-term relationships
A concrete example of such an activity is the study trip to Canada in 2023, as part of the EU-funded Focus Industry Spets project. The trip included participants from Region Värmland, Sustainable Steel Region and hand-picked companies, all of whom were part of a joint effort to strengthen cooperation and create new opportunities for innovative companies. The aim was to find partnerships for forest-based innovations, and the delegation took part during the Swedish-Canadian Innovation Days in Toronto, among other events.
Theodor Håkansson and his company Ecopals made valuable contacts.
During the journey, it became clear that the many years of work in building networks and relationships with Canadian players create direct benefits for companies.
“Building relationships and finding the right contacts takes time, and here we have acted as an enabler and gatekeeper for the companies. Several years of strategic work to gain international visibility has made it possible to offer this journey and create concrete connections for Swedish companies,” says Paul.
“I am very pleased with the journey that helped us make many valuable contacts that we will use going forward,” says Theodor Håkansson from Ecopals — one of the travelling companies.
Ecopals manufactures a malleable, sound-insulating and biodegradable building material that is lightweight yet strong. The design is based on renewable materials such as recycled newspaper and pulp.
“I learned a lot about Canada and gained new knowledge about the bioeconomy, which is valuable for me as a newcomer to the industry,” continues Theodor.
International Brightness
North-Middle Sweden’s industry also plays a role in global sustainability work from a broader perspective. Through resource-efficient cutting-edge technology, climate-smart materials and other solutions, the region is a source of benefit that extends far beyond Sweden’s borders.
Paul Nemes points out:
“One player alone cannot transform an entire system, but together we have great potential. To maintain our industrial competitiveness, we need to think beyond individual companies and regions and understand that we operate in a global context. North-Middle Sweden is dependent on a viable basic industry, but it is when the value that this industry creates reaches beyond our own boundaries that it can make a difference on a broad front.”
Study visits to the Toronto University lab.
