Theme I: Availability of Raw Materials and Energy in Europe 

The future options in the production and utilisation of raw materials and energy in Europe will be discussed. The keynote address of the session will be given by Mr. Jorma Ollila, the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Royan Dutch Shell and Nokia. Mr. Ollila has been a keen advocate of climate change mitigation and has actively participated in the debate on the efficient use of energy and the development of renewable energy sources.

In addition to the keynote presentation, the session will introduce one of the optional sources of raw material and energy – woody biomass – as a case example. The increasing demand for renewable raw materials in the construction and manufacturing industries and the production of new bio-based chemicals and fibres for the processing industry create new markets for woody biomass. European forests can also play a significant role in fulfilling the goals set for the production of renewable energy. More intensive use of residual forest biomass for energy could replace 30-49 Mtoe fossil fuels within the European Union. However, if we are to reach the 10% target of bio-based transport fuels, this alone would require the mobilization of the entire residual forest biomass potential, which means that other renewables are also needed.

The theme session aims at identifying different raw material resources, their future development, and it aims to provide possible scenarios in optimally responding to the growing demand for woody biomass as an example.

Content production of Theme I:
Finnish Forest Research Institute METLA
Contact person: Prof. Antti Asikainen
Tel. +358 10 211 3250
antti.asikainen@metla.fi

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