Insights

Securing public funding for large-scale innovative projects can be a daunting task. At Spinverse, we understand the challenges that our customers face when navigating the complex world of funding proposals. As part of our Advisory services, we offer a comprehensive viability assessment designed to evaluate and enhance the potential of your projects, ensuring they meet the stringent requirements of funding instruments — such as the Innovation Fund. 

The 3D Fibre project aiming to commercialise a new Muoto™ packaging business for Metsä Group was highly scored in the European Commission's competitive evaluation process during 2024. Metsä Group has now completed the grant negotiations with the European Union on the co-financing for the first commercial Muoto™ mill planned for construction in Rauma, Finland. Spinverse funding experts provided Metsä Group with support during both the project proposal phase and the Grant Agreement negotiations that followed the positive evaluation.

Novel moulded fibre packaging to replace fossil-based packaging 

Lixea Sweden AB, a technology development company with a mission to repurpose waste into profitable and sustainable materials, has been granted EUR 21.5 million by the Innovation Fund. The grant will be used to build and operate a commercial pilot plant, demonstrating a completely new method for biomass fractionation based on ionic liquids. The project will enable the replacement of fossil materials with biobased alternatives in applications where it has not been previously possible, thereby advancing the transition to a bio-based economy. Spinverse experts supported Lixea in their successful funding proposal.

The European Union has set ambitious goals for achieving a climate-neutral and circular economy by 2050. Among one of the largest funding programmes to demonstrate low-carbon technologies is Innovation Fund, which had its call deadline on 9^th April 2024, releasing a total of 4B€ in grants. Over the past few months, our Spinverse funding experts have been working hard together with clients to submit several project proposals. Together, these projects demonstrate potential for significant greenhouse gas (GHG) avoidance and bring together many innovative actors in Europe.

Innovation Fund instrument by CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) launches billions of euros to sustainable projects which decrease industrial carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. The funding decisions for Large-scale projects were recently published and Spinverse is proud to have contributed to the positive funding decision for four Nordic projects. 

Lignin Industries from Sweden converts lignin so it can be blended with virgin and recycled thermoplastics to create new types of bioplastics. Lignin Industries recently secured 4.4. M€ funding from the EU Innovation Fund to help them financing the expansion of the first-of-its-kind large-scale production site located in Sweden. Lignin Industries secured their success in the highly competitive application process with support from Spinverse funding experts.

As the annual cycle soon closes, October Q4 opened a new and continuous wave of EU funding calls. Many organizations might be focusing on reporting of the current year, but don’t forget this is also the time to build the next year’s strategy and work plans considering some funding deadlines can spawn into Spring 2022.

The extensive funding expertise of Spinverse came to good use when Technology Industries of Finland, Chemical Industry Federation of Finland and Finnish Energy requested Spinverse to help them create an easy-to-read website about EU funding. Aptly named as EU Funding Playbook, the approachable and visual website aims to help companies get a good overview and practical tips to the exciting and somewhat complex world of public funding.

Year 2020 has featured the starting point of a remarkable 10-year European investment into innovative low carbon projects. The European Commission has successfully launched the Innovation Fund, which is expected to provide over 10 B€ of grants between 2020-2030 for upscaling innovative clean technologies. The funding comes from revenues from the auction of emission allowances within the EU’s Emissions Trading System. 

Technology Industries of Finland, The Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, Finnish Forest Industries and Business Finland are arranging, together with Spinverse and VTT, a series of webinars on Horizon Europe programme and Innovation Fund. The first webinar is held on 3rd December, 2020 at 9 – 12.30 (EET). Among the speakers is our Managing Director Laura Koponen, and our health sector expert Riikka Paasikivi will be facilitating one of the parallel sessions on the themes of four Horizon Europe Clusters in the first Work Programs.