Evaluation of JTI's R&D Activities 2005–2008 - Formas

• Bioenergy
- The importance of this, for global reduction of climatic
effects and dependence on oil, will rapidly increase.
- Because of higher oil prices, other options will become
commercially attractive.
- Formulation of an energy tax system will be a key factor for
profitability.
• Biological waste treatment – there is a system of controls to
stimulate this. New plants are constructed. At the same
time, the waste management industry is building up a
considerably greater capacity for the incineration of waste,
inter alia organic waste.
- Renewable fuels – the biogas process has the potential to
deliver fuel today and probably also to a future society
where hydrogen gas is the principal renewable fuel.
- A developed infrastructure for natural gas accelerates the
use of biogas in vehicles.
• Recycling of phosphorus – It is likely that national targets
and possibly also financial inducements will be introduced
to stimulate recycling from e.g. sewage.
Research and development trends
Trends in r&d which impact on the environment JTI is
working in are listed below.
• R&d
- Applied research is sidelined in favour of basic research.
- Swedish Farmers’ Foundation for Agricultural Research
SLF funds applied, need related research and development.
- The way from basic to applied research will become quicker.
- Growth issues, innovations are important.
- Restructuring of institutes.
- Sweden focuses to a considerably higher degree than the rest
of EU on basic research.
- Innovation systems are important.
- An EU Research Council.
- The aim of the sixth EU framework programme is to restructure
research – increased European collaboration,
stimulation of inventions, etc.
- The Nordic Region is an internationally competitive research
arena.
- The sectorial role of Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences SLU will change – towards an increasing focus
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Evaluation of JTI’s R&D Activities 2005–2008