Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre continues to demonstrate why it remains one of Europe’s most influential applied‑science institutes. Recent announcements highlight breakthroughs in microelectronics, sustainable fuels, medical technology, food systems, machine vision, wireless communications, water purification, printed electronics and defence technologies. Together, these developments illustrate VTT’s role in turning scientific knowledge into industrial impact.
VTT’s cleanroom infrastructure at Micronova is enabling rapid advances in microelectronics through its collaboration with Kyocera Technologies. The company relies on VTT’s shared fabrication environment to design and refine high‑precision MEMS timing resonators—components essential for next‑generation electronics. Access to VTT’s microfabrication tools and piloting capabilities allows Kyocera to accelerate development cycles and scale innovations within Finland’s world‑leading semiconductor ecosystem. This partnership underscores how shared national research infrastructure can directly support industrial competitiveness.
A major step forward in sustainable fuels was announced through a long‑term agreement between Sumitomo SHI FW (SFW) and VTT. The collaboration centres on VTT’s gasification technology, which enables the production of clean syngas from non‑recyclable biowaste. SFW will integrate this technology into its global fleet of gasification plants, supporting the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. The agreement positions VTT’s process innovations at the heart of international decarbonisation efforts and demonstrates the commercial maturity of Finland’s waste‑to‑energy research.
In the health sector, VTT and Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) have launched field tests of wearable sensors designed to improve home dialysis. The technology aims to enhance patient safety, reduce complications and enable more reliable remote monitoring. If widely adopted, the system could significantly improve quality of life for dialysis patients while reducing healthcare costs by millions of euros annually. The project highlights VTT’s growing role in medical device development and digital health innovation.
VTT is also advancing sustainable food systems through the Sunflopro project, which focuses on converting sunflower side streams into high‑value plant‑based protein ingredients. The initiative aims to improve processing efficiency and support new business models in protein diversification. By valorising agricultural by‑products, the project contributes to circular economy goals and strengthens Europe’s alternative protein landscape.
In machine vision, VTT researchers have developed an energy‑efficient system inspired by human eyesight and neural processing. This innovation enables robots and drones to operate independently without constant network connectivity or large battery systems. The approach reduces power consumption while maintaining high‑performance visual recognition, opening new possibilities for autonomous systems in remote or resource‑limited environments.
VTT and Anritsu have achieved a breakthrough in D‑band wireless communications, demonstrating world‑leading transmitarray‑based high‑speed connectivity. This development supports future 6G networks by enabling ultra‑high‑frequency data transmission with improved efficiency and reliability. The achievement reinforces Finland’s position as a global leader in next‑generation wireless research.
Additional innovations include the production of activated carbon from domestic biomass for micropollutant removal, advances in printed electronics achieving micrometre‑level accuracy, and new insights into semiconductor wafer size and its role in critical technologies. VTT has also accelerated medical device development through its pilot manufacturing line, strengthened Europe’s defence technology capabilities, and finalised a licensing agreement with Canary Medical to support cardiovascular device innovation.
Photo: VTT’s cleanroom infrastructure at Micronova is enabling rapid advances in microelectronics through its collaboration with Kyocera Technologies
