BIO-2-PRINT partners met in Kokkola, Finland

In mid-January, BIO-2-PRINT partners gathered in Kokkola, Finland, to take stock of the project's progress and direction. Hosted by Centria University of Applied Sciences, the eleventh partner meeting brought together the international consortium for two days of discussion, reflection and alignment at a key stage of the project.

As the project advances from planning towards piloting and implementation, the need for close coordination across work packages has become increasingly important. The first day of the meeting, therefore, focused on technical progress and shared understanding. Partners shared updates on stakeholder engagement, feedstock mapping and pretreatment, as well as composite formulations and 3D printing activities. Recent technical developments and upcoming piloting plans were discussed in detail, with clear emphasis on how different activities connect along the emerging value chain.

The mapping of underutilised fibres for the current work period has now been completed and will continue to evolve as new insights emerge. Based on testing so far, inner bark and waste materials from the boat industry have shown clear potential and will be taken forward in the work. Seaweed and reindeer hair, on the other hand, did not perform as expected and have been set aside for the time being.

In parallel, lanolin was successfully extracted from both washed and unwashed wool on a small scale. The next step will be to assess how well this lanolin performs when combined with polymer composites, which will determine whether further scaling is justified. The team has also produced and tested 3D-printed samples made from inner bark-based composite materials, providing valuable insights for the next phase of development.

Beyond the meeting room, the programme also allowed space for informal exchange. Participants explored Kokkola’s old town on a guided walking tour and experienced Finnish sauna culture at the Hickarö resort. For some, this included an ice swim in the winter sea. Shared experiences and a delicious dinner supported networking and strengthened collaboration within the partnership.

The second day shifted the focus to the horizontal foundations that support the project’s technical work. Discussions covered sustainability, inclusion and reporting practices, alongside communication and dissemination activities. A joint storytelling workshop encouraged partners to reflect on how BIO-2-PRINT’s work and impact can be communicated clearly to industry, policymakers and the wider public.

The partners also agreed to organise two hands-on training sessions focused on 3D printing. Training on polymer composite printing will be hosted by Centria in Finland, while concrete 3D printing will be carried out at Future Cast in Ireland. As part of the project’s demonstration activities, Centria will produce one demonstrator, either a 3D-printed boat or a mould for a boat. Additional demonstrators will be developed by Future Cast.

To support industrial uptake, all partners will continue working to identify and engage new associated companies. These companies will play an important role in processing polymer composites and supplying pellets, helping to make the transition to industrial-scale 3D printing smoother and more reliable.

The meeting concluded with agreed action points and a company visit to Innomost Ltd, where participants learned how birch bark is already being utilised in practical applications.

The Kokkola meeting reinforced a shared understanding of both the project’s technical direction and its wider purpose. By combining underutilized natural fibres, smart technologies and cross-border cooperation, BIO-2-PRINT continues to build the foundations for sustainable and locally rooted value chains in the Northern Periphery and Arctic region.