While Sweden’s Novatron Fusion Group leads Nordic private fusion innovation, Finland is also making significant contributions to the global fusion sector, primarily through VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, one of Europe’s leading applied research organizations.
Founded in 1942 and headquartered in Espoo, VTT has been actively involved in nuclear fusion research for decades. The organization is a long-standing participant in EUROfusion, a European consortium coordinating fusion research activities across EU member states and Switzerland, under the umbrella of the Horizon Europe program. VTT’s work mainly supports large-scale projects such as ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) in France and DEMO, the demonstration power plant intended to follow ITER.
VTT’s contributions focus on materials research, remote handling, diagnostics, and plasma-facing components—all critical for building reactors capable of withstanding the extreme conditions inside a fusion chamber. The organization’s Fusion Technology Unit, part of VTT’s nuclear energy division, collaborates with European institutions to develop next-generation materials and test structural performance under neutron irradiation. In particular, VTT’s work on tungsten-based materials—essential for plasma-facing components—has been widely recognized.
Additionally, VTT operates DONES-FI, the Finnish branch of the broader DONES (DEMO Oriented Neutron Source) initiative, which is crucial for testing and validating materials under fusion-like conditions. DONES-FI helps prepare Finnish industry and researchers for future supply chains in commercial fusion energy.
On the academic front, Aalto University and Tampere University collaborate with VTT on fusion plasma physics, computational modeling, and materials science. Finnish universities also contribute skilled personnel to EUROfusion’s shared research initiatives.
While Finland currently lacks a private fusion company like Novatron, it plays a vital enabling role in the broader fusion ecosystem. VTT and Finnish academia are deeply integrated into European fusion networks, ensuring that Finland contributes high-value expertise to long-term international fusion objectives.
Looking forward, Finland’s strategic involvement through VTT not only secures a seat at the global fusion table but also opens future industrial opportunities. As fusion moves closer to commercialization, Finnish institutions aim to be key players in supplying advanced materials, diagnostics, and remote systems needed for fusion plant operations.
In a region striving for energy independence and climate neutrality, Finland’s fusion research is a quiet yet critical force—supporting the science that may one day deliver the world’s first truly sustainable energy breakthrough.
Photo: FinnFusion & VTT
