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Michigan, Finland collaborate on bioeconomy efforts

The head of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says a new collaboration with Finland will help reinvigorate the state’s forestry industry.

Director Gary McDowell tells Brownfield using lower grade hardwoods for mass timber construction along with wood byproducts for a Styrofoam replacement are just a few examples of biobased products the partnership is researching.

“Right now we have already 80 collaborators between Finland and Michigan,” he says.

Last week the state hosted a delegation of Fins to explore biobased and maritime opportunities. McDowell says the Western Upper Peninsula is also home to the largest population of Finish descendants in the U.S.

“I think almost 60 percent of the people in that area have some time of a Finnish heritage,” he adds.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Michigan and Finland in 2020 to identify sustainable growth opportunities in the automotive, maritime, and sustainable forest bioeconomy industries. The agreement is meant to expand bilateral research and development co-innovation projects, as well as industrial partnerships.