Press release from Arctic Game With a focus on cutting-edge technology, cross-industry collaboration, and innovation at intersections, the Intersective Game project aims to enhance the exchange between the gaming industry, various sectors, and other organizations in Norr- and Västerbotten. The core objective of the Intersective Game project is to establish a cutting-edge testbed cluster in…
Press release from Arctic Game
With a focus on cutting-edge technology, cross-industry collaboration, and innovation at intersections, the Intersective Game project aims to enhance the exchange between the gaming industry, various sectors, and other organizations in Norr- and Västerbotten.
The core objective of the Intersective Game project is to establish a cutting-edge testbed cluster in gaming methodology and technology. By means of these testbeds, the project strives to create an array of collaboration opportunities for diverse stakeholders, encompassing small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutions, the public sector, and other entities keen on harnessing advanced technology.
– As we increase our utilization of cutting-edge technology, we’re not only expediting solutions for intricate challenges but also fortifying our innovation capacity and elevating our competitiveness. However, to achieve success, we must elevate awareness about the potential and applications of this technology, says Pernilla Lindmark, Project Leader of Intersective Game at Skellefteå Science City.
The project centers its efforts on cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (XR) and so on. These technologies find application in diverse areas, such as visualizing architectural and design concepts, providing support for rehabilitation and therapy, simulating high-risk scenarios for training purposes, and enriching cinematic and gaming experiences.
About the Project
Intersective Game is a 3-year project funded by ERUF ÖN and led by Skellefteå Science City as project owner. The project receives co-financing from Region Västerbotten, Region Norrbotten, Skellefteå municipality, Umeå municipality, Luleå municipality, and Boden Business Park.
The project’s objective is to establish a gaming technology testbed cluster with adaptable and collaborative innovation environments. By promoting innovation at the crossroads and fostering greater sector-to-sector exchange, the project aims to boost the tech- and service development in both the gaming industry and other sectors.
Originally published on 25 September.
Article by North Sweden Business Sketch of what the new factory in Quebeck will look like. SKELLEFTEÅ Battery manufacturer Northvolt announced on Thursday that it will build a battery factory outside Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The new plant outside Montreal, named Northvolt Six, will produce batteries, cathode materials and recycle batteries. The factory…
Article by North Sweden Business
SKELLEFTEÅ Battery manufacturer Northvolt announced on Thursday that it will build a battery factory outside Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The new plant outside Montreal, named Northvolt Six, will produce batteries, cathode materials and recycle batteries.
The factory will produce batteries with a total capacity of 60 GWh, which is four times more than the first phase in the factory in Skellefteå, Sweden. Construction will start at the end of 2023 and production will start in 2026 at an estimated cost of USD 5 billion. According to the company, this is the largest ever private investment in Quebec. The factory is expected to employ 3,000 people.
“In the seven years since Northvolt was founded, we have pursued a singular goal — to establish a new, sustainable model for battery manufacturing. Today, we are expanding our ambitions by bringing Northvolt to Canada”, says Peter Carlsson, CEO and Co-Founder of Northvolt.
Northvolt Co-Founder Paolo Cerruti will lead the project as CEO of Northvolt North America, which will have its head office in Montréal.
“We have in Northvolt Six enormous potential, not only to rapidly expand our ability to bring sustainable batteries into markets of North America, but to accelerate Quebec’s emergence as a key actor in the global energy transition. With its unique access to renewable power and raw materials, we see this as the ideal base of operations for Northvolt’s first gigafactory outside of Europe”, says Paolo Cerruti.
The prerequisite for the establishment is that Canada has introduced investment support to match the US support package.
Northvolt’s first factory in Skellefteå in northern Sweden is in production now and will increase capacity in the coming years. Two more factories are planned in Sweden, in Gothenburg and Borlänge, and a factory in Germany.
Press release from SSC Balloon Missions, News Both BEXUS 32 and 33 were successfully launched from Esrange Space Center, despite very challenging weather with 38 cm of snowfall less than 24 hours before the first launch. REXUS/BEXUS is a bilateral student program between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA)….
Balloon Missions, News
Both BEXUS 32 and 33 were successfully launched from Esrange Space Center, despite very challenging weather with 38 cm of snowfall less than 24 hours before the first launch.
REXUS/BEXUS is a bilateral student program between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). The program gives European students the opportunity to fly their experiments aboard both rockets and balloons with the support of expertise from SSC, DLR Moraba and ESA.
In total, eight different experiments was launched on the two balloons BEXUS 32 and 33.
On board were the following experiments (Links refer to LinkedIn):
HERCCULES: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
SBGA: Technical University of Munich
HERMES: HERMES – REXUS/BEXUS Programme
ROMULUS: Sapienza Università di Roma
ALMA: ALMA on BEXUS 33
CASTOR: STAR Dresden e.V.
SPACIS: SPACIS- REXUS/BEXUS Programme
TOTORO: Totoro to Space
The balloon launches were very successful and all participating universities managed to carry out their experiments exactly according to plan. However, it is too early to comment on the results of the experiments at the moment.
One of the experiments on board BEXUS 33 was ALMA, Atmospheric Laser Measurements of Aerosols, where a low-cost detector for various particles in the atmosphere has been developed.
– Normally a sensor like that cost thousands and thousands of euros and what we are trying to do is to completely design it from scratch and make it very cheap and with open source, sager Fabian Guse, student at Luleå University of Technology.
The Technical University of Dresden in Germany had also developed sensors for measurements in the stratosphere. Ozone and humidity were measured, where it would prove to be complicated to measure the humidity at such a high altitude. The reason is that the sensors have to be stored moist, which at the same time is difficult as water boils at around 8 degrees at such an altitude.
Another experiment from the University of Porto, Portugal, looked at how infrasound travels through the different layers of the atmosphere. In this case up to the stratosphere where the balloon traveled. From speakers on the Esrange, infrasound was emitted and they were then detected by the instruments on board the balloon.
– We want to be able to detect natural transmit of infra sounds. For example, some animals are capable of transmitting these sounds and it could be useful to monitor them. Various natural phenomena such as avalanches, earthquakes and eruptions also transmit these sounds, says Fransisco Colino.
Read more about the various experiments on BEXUS 32 and 33 by following the links above.
Originally published on 26 September.
Article by North Sweden Business The Carl-Gustaf grenade launcher manufactured by Saab is used in a military exercise. The Weaponry Services department will build up a team in Boden for a workshop with so-called unit-based support for the weapon systems used by the Swedish Armed Forces’ units in Boden. There are…
Article by North Sweden Business
The Weaponry Services department will build up a team in Boden for a workshop with so-called unit-based support for the weapon systems used by the Swedish Armed Forces’ units in Boden. There are also such units in Växsjö and Halmstad.
Saab has acquired hangars at the former heliport, AF1, in the centre of Boden and is recruiting a site manager for the Boden team. The new premises will be ready to move into in spring 2024.
“Saab is establishing itself in Boden to make a qualitative contribution to the growth of the Swedish Armed Forces. Boden and the surrounding area is an attractive area that will grow in terms of technical industry in the coming years. Initially, we want to recruit about fifteen employees for placement in our new workshop in Boden. We both want and need to be part of this growth area,” says Torbjörn Andersson, Saab’s manager for the establishment in Boden.
The global defence and security company Saab AB has more than 19,000 employees in the group and had a turnover of approximately SEK 39.1 billion in 2022.
“The external situation means that the garrison town of Boden becomes an even more natural place for both the defence industry and the Swedish Armed Forces’ continued expansion. I am convinced that SAAB’s large and important investment will strengthen Boden both as a city and garrison town,” says Claes Nordmark, municipal councillor in Boden.
BODEN Defence and security company Saab is establishing itself in Boden in Norrbotten and is recruiting around 15 employees.
Press release from Copperstone Resources The Land and Environmental Court at Umeå district court will hold an inspection, a so-called syn, at Viscaria copper mine on Friday, September 29, 2023. The inspection is part of the process for the environmental permit application for the planned mining operations. “We hope that the inspection will give the…
Press release from Copperstone Resources
The Land and Environmental Court at Umeå district court will hold an inspection, a so-called syn, at Viscaria copper mine on Friday, September 29, 2023. The inspection is part of the process for the environmental permit application for the planned mining operations.
“We hope that the inspection will give the concerned parties a solid basis for the continued review and upcoming main hearing. The inspection part of the court proceedings, and the visit is led by the court,” said Jörgen Olsson, CEO of Copperstone.
At the inspection, the court, authorities and interested parties are given the opportunity to visit Copperstone’s planned mining area in Kiruna to see how the company’s plans will take shape. The next formal step in the environmental permit application is the main hearing, which is scheduled for February 2024. The inspection is normally held in connection with the main hearing, but to ensure that the area is snow-free, the inspection is being held now. After the main hearing, which is expected to last three to four weeks, the court will rule on the case.
For journalists, a press meeting with the head of environment, head of sustainability and CEO is offered immediately after the inspection, around 4:30 p.m. It is also possible to participate via link. Please contact press contact [email protected] for details.
Copperstone’s documents in the case are published on the company’s website under the tab permit portal (SWE) https://copperstone.se/tillstandsportal/miljoansokan/
Article from North Sweden Business Peter Nordlund, CEO of Box Modul, and Daniel Hopstadius, CEO of W5 Solutions. PITEÅ W5 Solutions AB acquires all shares in the Piteå company Box Modul. The purchase price is SEK 180 million. W5 Solutions, based in Nacka, Stockholm, delivers systems and solutions to companies and authorities…
Article from North Sweden Business
PITEÅ W5 Solutions AB acquires all shares in the Piteå company Box Modul. The purchase price is SEK 180 million.
W5 Solutions, based in Nacka, Stockholm, delivers systems and solutions to companies and authorities in the defence sector. The company offers expertise in training and simulation, communication, power supply and integration. The company has sales of SEK 168 million with an operating profit of SEK 24.4 million and 63 employees.
“We are making another strategically important acquisition that facilitates continued sales and profitability growth. We are broadening our product portfolio with, among other things, mobile control centres and power supplies and expanding our ability to deliver complete turnkey solutions. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Box Modul’s employees to the W5 Solutions Group,” says Daniel Hopstadius, CEO of W5 Solutions.
The deal is structured so that of the purchase price of SEK 180 million, SEK 100 million will be paid through a directed share issue and the rest as two promissory notes. In addition, an cash earn-out of a maximum of SEK 50 million may be paid if certain agreed conditions are met.
Box Modul’s operations will continue to be run in a separate company under the name Box Modul.
”We have found a partner with whom we are able to have one of the strongest offerings on the market. It feels exciting and completely right to continue the development together within the W5 Solutions Group,” says Peter Nordlund, CEO of Box Modul and owner.
Box Modul was bought by Nordlund Invest in 2017 and Peter Norlund stepped in as CEO. Since 2017, the company has tripled its turnover, partly by succeeding in reaching new customer groups. The company now has 20 employees. In 2022, the company had a turnover of SEK 106 million and an operating profit of SEK 14.9 million.
Box Modul designs, produces and sells shelters to companies and organisations in areas such as defence, IT & telecom, healthcare and energy. In the defence sector, Box Modul delivers customised shatterproof shelters designed to meet military standards.
The company develops and manufactures modules from sandwich panels. Manufacturing takes place in Piteå. Customers are companies in IT and telecom, defence, healthcare, energy and automotive testing. Customers include ABB, Boliden, SAAB, LKAB, Infranord, Dynasafe, Schneider, Global Connect, SAAB, Volvo, Porsche, Bosch, Coromatic, Enaco and Hitachi.
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish steel maker SSAB will launch talks with trade unions to adjust its workforce further in Finland due to continued weak demand, it said on Monday. SSAB said the aim of the measures at its Raahe steel plant was to cut costs by at least 10 million euros ($10.6 million)annually and the negotiations…
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish steel maker SSAB will launch talks with trade unions to adjust its workforce further in Finland due to continued weak demand, it said on Monday.
SSAB said the aim of the measures at its Raahe steel plant was to cut costs by at least 10 million euros ($10.6 million)annually and the negotiations affect around 2,400 of its around 4,700 employees in Finland.
“The aim is to work together to find solutions to increase flexibility, mobility and multi-skills so that our operations respond more flexibly than at present to future needs,” it said in a statement.
“Unless agreement is reached on the primary operations models pursued, the negotiations could result in workforce reductions.”
Last month SSAB temporarily laid off staff at two other units in Finland that make paint-coated steel products, pointing to weak demand from builders.
SSAB, whose profit halved in the second quarter as demand slowed in Europe and steel prices fell, had 15,000 employees at the end of 2022, three quarters of them in Sweden and Finland, according to its annual report.
Shares in the group were down 2% at 0938 GMT, taking a fall over the past three months to 25%.
($1 = 0.9410 euros)
(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik and Louise Heavens)
Press release from H2 Green Steel By recognizing H2 Green Steel as a Climate Solutions Company, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, a partner of the UN-backed Race to Zero, validates the Swedish industrial start-up’s plan to deliver significant emissions reductions compared with traditional steel manufacturing. The Exponential Roadmap Initiative was launched to accelerate climate action and…
Press release from H2 Green Steel
By recognizing H2 Green Steel as a Climate Solutions Company, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, a partner of the UN-backed Race to Zero, validates the Swedish industrial start-up’s plan to deliver significant emissions reductions compared with traditional steel manufacturing.
The Exponential Roadmap Initiative was launched to accelerate climate action and solutions through the exponential scaling of ground-breaking products, services and projects. H2 Green Steel is a living example of such a project as it was founded in 2020 to accelerate the decarbonization of the steel industry. By qualifying as a Climate Solutions Company, H2 Green Steel not only commits to the Exponential Roadmap Initiative’s strict overall criteria in the 1.5°C Business Playbook, but also fulfills additional criteria.
Established companies can set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets for their operations. For an industrial cleantech company building an operation from scratch, other targets are more relevant. The Exponential Roadmap Initiative presents a framework in which a cleantech company can screen and verify its ambition and ability to scale climate solutions – exponentially. To be considered a Climate Solutions Company, the candidate needs to bring an offer to the market that reduces emissions intensity by more than 50 percent compared to the prevailing technology. In the case of H2 Green Steel, that number is 95 percent.
“Our goals at H2 Green Steel are anchored in science. In times where greenwashing is a real problem, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative offers a route for serious cleantech companies to validate that their ambitions and plans are Paris-aligned. It’s in our DNA to accelerate change towards sustainable solutions and to scale them exponentially. It’s why the company was established. When we start operations in Boden at the end of 2025, no other steel maker will have as small an environmental footprint as we do, but we hope all the others will follow quickly,” says H2 Green Steel CEO Henrik Henriksson
H2 Green Steel is building the world’s first large scale green steel plant. When H2 Green Steel’s plant in Boden begins operations the carbon intensity will be approximately 95 to 195 kg* of CO2 per tonne of steel, including Scope 1 and 2 emissions, compared to about two tonnes of CO2 in blast furnace-based steel making. Starting its green steel operations at the end of 2025, H2 Green Steel beats the steel sector by some 15 years based on the current Science Based Targets initiative’s 1.5°C-aligned steel roadmap. By demonstrating that it’s possible, H2 Green Steel hopes that others will be pushed to speed up and follow suit.
However, to H2 Green Steel that is not enough. In addition to the immense abatement via the steel production, H2 Green Steel also commits to and fulfills other criteria including:
– A net-zero target for the Boden plant in 2040, including both its own emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and those of its suppliers (upstream Scope 3).
– A commitment to cut the carbon intensity of our products (Scope 1 and 2) in half by 2035.
– An exponential acceleration of its decarbonization impact, through establishment of new sites and by engaging in new industry verticals leveraging green hydrogen production in the years to come.
– Collaboration with organizations, including civil society, that are pushing the climate action agenda.
“We are delighted to welcome H2 Green Steel as a member in the Exponential Roadmap Initiative together with other world-leading companies. H2 Green Steel is a true climate solutions company because over 90 percent of its income is derived from a climate solution – a climate solution that reduces emissions by 95 percent compared to business as usual. This is exactly the kind of solution that needs to be scaled exponentially to shift out fossil-based solutions. We look forward to collaborating on removing remaining barriers and scaling solutions faster through radical collaboration,” says Johan Falk, CEO of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative.
H2 Green Steel’s plant in Boden, Sweden will be the first of its kind to combine production of green hydrogen, green iron, and green steel in a single flow, using renewable electricity throughout the production process. Europe’s largest electrolyzer will produce the hydrogen used in the direct reduction-reactor process. It is in the direct reduction step that the bulk of the emissions reduction is achieved. A hot sponge iron product is then processed through an electric arc furnace together with steel scrap to a homogenous melt of liquid steel then onward to continuous casting and rolling as well as fining.
* depending on which steel product is being manufactured.
Originally published on 19 September.
Press release form Flasheye Helena Forsmark, CEO at Hatteland technology Sweden, Monica Myklebust Øyen, COO and VP Sales at Hatteland Technology Norway, and Ida Rehnström, COO at Flasheye. Flasheye, a leader in lidar software for infrastructure, and Hatteland Technology, a global technology provider known for its expertise across industries, are thrilled…
Press release form Flasheye
Flasheye, a leader in lidar software for infrastructure, and Hatteland Technology, a global technology provider known for its expertise across industries, are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership.
From now on, Hatteland Technology is a distributor of Flasheye’s lidar solutions for security and public safety in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It’s a commitment that places them at the forefront of accelerating the adoption of advanced lidar technology in the field.
“Flasheye is a magnificent addition to our software portfolio. The partnership reaffirms Hatteland Technology’s commitment to providing cutting-edge surveillance solutions” said Monica Myklebust Øyen, COO &VP Sales at Hatteland Technology.
Flasheye has always been driven by a visionary mission – to democratize lidar technology, for monitoring on a grand scale by forging robust partnerships. Hatteland Technology, with its global network and comprehensive suite of technology solutions, represents the ideal ally.
Ulf Lindström, CEO Flasheye, see a lot of potential. “As automation and data-driven insights continue to reshape industries, the collaboration between Flasheye and Hatteland Technology promises to be a game-changer for businesses across the Nordic region and beyond“.
About Flasheye
Flasheye is a leader in lidar software for infrastructure, specializes in making advanced 3D data into invaluable insights across various industries. Their agnostic approach and support for multiple brands of hardware and platforms enable us to enhance automation, safety, and operational efficiency.
More about Flasheye at flasheye.se.
About Hatteland Technology
Hatteland Technology is a renowned, global technology partner that offers tailored solutions encompassing monitors, panel computers, industrial automation, network hardware, CCTV, and software. They cater to clients across diverse industries, including Maritime & Offshore, Transportation, Industrial automation, High security & Retail, and Defense, providing customers a one-stop-shop for advanced technology, excellence, and reliability.
More about Hatteland Technology at hattelandtechnology.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Flasheye:
Ida Rehnström, COO, Flasheye
Hatteland Technology:
Monica Myklebust Øyen, COO, VP Sales Nordic
Originally published on 19 September.
Press release from BODENNXT Once again, Boden has the best business climate in the county and remains in the top 50 list – despite an accelerating societal transition with the challenges it entails. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise carries out an annual survey of the business climate in the country’s municipalities. The results were published…
Press release from BODENNXT
Once again, Boden has the best business climate in the county and remains in the top 50 list – despite an accelerating societal transition with the challenges it entails.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise carries out an annual survey of the business climate in the country’s municipalities.
The results were published on Wednesday and the municipality of Boden maintains the top position in the county for the third consecutive year.
The overall score looks the same as last year, but in the ranking Boden drops five places, from 44 to 49.
“We see a slight dip in the ranking nationally, which is not entirely unexpected given the increasing complexity of the processes we deal with on a daily basis. It requires hard work as well as resources,” says Mats Berg, Head of Business relations in the municipality of Boden.
“Cornerstone of growth journey”
For several years, the municipality has worked strategically to strengthen and develop cooperation with Boden’s entrepreneurs and the local business community. This has also yielded positive results.
The ongoing societal transition places greater pressure on the municipal organization as a whole, but it does not mean that long-term development work is deprioritized.
“We have a good dialogue with our local business community and constantly tweak things to improve and optimize, as an attractive and well-functioning business climate is a cornerstone of our ongoing growth journey,” says Mats Berg.
Mats Berg, Head of business relations in the municipality of Boden.
Mats Berg, Head of business relations in the municipality of Boden.
Every year, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise measures more than 30,000 companies’ experiences of running a business in their municipalities. The survey responses provide a picture of how the business environment is perceived by businesses. The answers are then combined with five statistical factors to produce a ranking that allows comparison of Sweden’s 290 municipalities.
Originally published on 20 September.
