Finnish cleantech business in China expected to double by 2013

26 May 2010

Finnish cleantech business in China expected to double by 2013

At present, the Finnish Cleantech business in China is estimated being worth around EUR900 million.This figure is expected to double by 2013, and China to become the main export area for Finnish cleantech companies within the next few years

Top Finnish cleantech companies met with members of Chinese government and industry at a high-level seminar in Beijing today.

The President of Finland, Ms. Tarja Halonen, H.E. Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Mr Li Keqiang, Mr. Xie Zhenhua, Vice Minister of NDRC and Finland’s Minister of the Environment Ms. Paula Lehtomäki were among the esteemed speakers at the event. Other guests included executives of several leading Finnish clean technology companies.

Finnish clean technology companies such as Green Stream Networks and Preseco signed several significant contracts and agreements with Chinese enterprises including China Carbon Technology, Northeast Electric Power Design Institute and Beijing Hebaiyi Ecological Energy Technology Development, amongst others.

“Co-operation in environmentally sustainable technology and solutions has been a key point on the agenda between Finland and China. We are pleased that collaboration in this field is growing,” says Santtu Hulkkonen, Executive Director of Cleantech Finland team.

“There is excellent potential for partnership in China, which is expected to become the main export area for Finnish cleantech companies within the next few years,” he continues.

“It is of great significance that these contracts and agreements are signed in the presence of the highest leaders of our two countries,” says Ari Makkonen, Executive Director of Finnish Environmental Cluster for China (FECC).

”Finnish and Chinese enterprises have signed several agreements towards cooperation in Cleantech and environmentally orientated business areas. As cooperation between Finnish and Chinese companies develops, the support of the Chinese government remains highly beneficial,” he says.

Finnish enterprises gaining footprint in China

For many decades, Finland has committed to becoming a leader in clean energy production and the intelligent management of energy demand. Today the country’s strengths in clean technologies lie in smart energy systems including smart grids, district heating and cooling as well as combined heat and power generation (CHP).

Finland’s Cleantech Cluster was ranked among the top three cleantech economic development regions by Sustainable World Capital this year. Chinese companies have shown interest in Finnish renewable energy solutions such as bio-energy, wind power, water management, waste management and resource efficiency.

“Oilon supplies Wuxi Boiler Works with a complete gas burner system for a 5 x 116 megawatts thermal power plant, providing district heating for the Beijing residential area inside 5 ring road. This delivery further strengthens Oilon’s position as one of the market leaders in China,” explains Päivi Leiwo-Svensk, Chairman of the Board at Oilon.

“We plan to strengthen our manufacturing footprint in China by building on our two-decade long presence in the country, and supported by solid cooperation with our local partners,” says Ole Johansson, president and CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation, a global leader in lifecycle power solutions.

”During the past few years, Vacon’s sales and marketing organization in Asia-Pacific has significantly increased our revenues in the region. We live in exciting times in China. Opening the new factory in Suzhou is one of our most important tasks in near future,” says Pertti Rajamäki, Managing Director of Vacon Suzhou Drives.

The seminar was held in Beijing on Wednesday May 26th on the event of sixty years of diplomatic relations between China and Finland. It was supported by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Participants included leading Finnish cleantech companies Rautaruukki, Wärtsilä Corporation, Oilon International, Kone, Cargotec, Nokia Siemens Networks, Metso Paper, Stora Enso and Vacon.

Sources:

Cleantech Finland
FECC