The PI's Autumn Meeting and Summit was held at Dipoli in Espoo on November 21, 2024.
During the Autumn Meeting, participants reviewed the achievements of 2024, looked ahead to upcoming activities in 2025, welcomed new members to the network, presented recognition awards to distinguished professionals, and celebrated young talents and researchers who were granted scholarships for research and studies.
Stenbäck Plaquette Awarded to Katja Metsäranta and Saara Söderberg
The Stenbäck plaquettes were awarded this year to M.Sc. (Tech.) Katja Metsäranta and M.Sc. (Tech.) Saara Söderberg for their valuable contributions to the association.
Katja Metsäranta has had a significant impact in leadership roles in the forest industry and currently serves as the director of Stora Enso's Heinola Mill. She was actively involved in in the Association's board for nearly ten years, serving as Chair of the Board from 2021 to 2024.
Saara Söderberg has had a versatile career in consulting and business leadership within the forest industry, particularly at AFRY. In addition to her demanding professional duties, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the Finnish Forest Product Engineers' Association and its publishing arm, ForestBioFacts Publishing Oy.
Association Plaquette of Merit Awarded to Heikki Hassi, Jouni Paltakari, and Panu Tikka
The Association has awarded the Plaquettes of Merit to D.Sc. (Tech.) Heikki Hassi, D.Sc. (Tech.), Professor Jouni Paltakari, and D.Sc. (Tech.), Professor Emeritus Panu Tikka for their outstanding contributions to the field.
Heikki Hassi has made a significant impact on forest industry research, business development, and the advancement of the Finnish Forest Product Engineers' Association. He has built a remarkable and versatile career in various leadership roles within the industry, including contributing to the development of cellulose fiber-based textile business innovations.
Jouni Paltakari has been a key figure in research and education related to paper and board products for many years. His work has included excellent collaboration with the Finnish Forest Product Engineers' Association, strengthening ties between academia and industry.
Panu Tikka has made notable contributions to forest industry research and development as well as to the Finnish Forest Product Engineers' Association. With a diverse and distinguished career as a researcher, inventor, entrepreneur, consultant, and educator, Panu Tikka has excelled in the field of cellulose technology, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.
Scholarships and Research Grants for Talented Young Professionals Amounting to Nearly €40,000
Research grants for conference travel, international research exchanges, and dissertation work were awarded to:
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Elaheh Sharifi Zamani, Aalto University
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Chenming Liu, University of Oulu
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Umair Qasim, University of Oulu
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Shiying Zhang, Aalto University
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Marie Alopaeus, Åbo Akademi University
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Minette Kvikant, Åbo Akademi University
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Zonghong Lu, Åbo Akademi University
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Ossi Evikari, Tampere University
- M.Sc.(Tech.) Han Tao, Aalto University.
The Valmet Sustainable Pulping Award was awarded to M.Sc. Aleksi Hämäläinen for his master’s thesis titled “Empirical Modeling of MFC Fibrillation in Ultra Thin Plate Gap.”
The award was presented by Valmet's Development Manager, Olli Tuovinen (pictured left).
The Influencer of a Wood-Based Future Scholarships were awarded to Vertti Kemppi from Aalto University and Nikke Saarinen from Åbo Akademi University.
This encouragement scholarship, valued at €500, aims to support proactive individuals who inspire and motivate their peers in both academic and professional communities.
Congratulations to all award recipients!
The day continued with the intriguing Unlocking Higher Yield From Wood With Lower Emissions seminar, organized in close collaboration with the Emission Free Pulping research program. The recording, presentation materials, and photos from the event are available on the PI members' page.