Wärtsilä launches an ambitious Zero Emission Marine research and development project in Finland
Wärtsilä launches a world-class research, development and innovation project to promote Zero Emission Marine together with nearly 200 operators. Business Finland has granted the project EUR 20 million in funding in the challenge competition for leading companies.
Wärtsilä’s four-year “Zero Emission Marine” co-operation project aims to enable a zero-emission marine ecosystem, that develops sustainable technology solutions. The use of these can also be expanded into the energy sector. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the marine sector by 60% by 2030. In addition, all products from the ecosystem will be carbon-neutral or carbon-negative by 2050.
“No one can achieve these ambitious targets on their own, but this unique maritime co-operation body can turn vision into reality. Wärtsilä’s “Set for 30” climate targets demonstrate our commitment to developing a sustainable society. We invest significantly in research and development, and in long-term product development we focus on fuel flexibility, energy efficiency and emission reductions. Our soon to be ready new technology centre in Vaasa, Smart Technology Hub, is strongly based on innovation partnerships, so acting as a leading company is an important step towards our goal. We can accelerate and increase important research, development and innovation efforts in Finland together with the entire ecosystem on our journey towards Zero Emission Marine,” says Hannu Mäntymaa, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Finland.
As a leading company, Wärtsilä wants to lead the ecosystem towards economically sound carbon-neutral fuels and accelerate the uptake the technologies that enable the use of green fuels. Engine technology and energy storage systems will be developed for sustainable carbon-neutral fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen and its derivatives. The project roadmap also includes carbon capture and storage and the use of biofuels.
Digital technologies allow for significant reductions in the fuel consumption in vessels, which improves the financial profitability of the use of new fuels. The ecosystem will also evaluate commercial delivery models and other technology options in order to create profitable business models for the ecosystem. The market potential of new technologies is considerable and extends beyond the marine sector, as the technologies can easily be taken into use also in other areas of the energy sector.
The ecosystem of almost 200 operators includes both large financially solvent companies and innovative SMEs working in clean future fuels, fuel technologies and automated and optimised operations. The ecosystem is reinforced by industrial organisations, research institutes and universities.
In 2020 Business Finland launched a challenge competition in which companies with international operations agreed to resolve significant future challenges and increase their research, development and innovation investments in Finland. A leading company leads its industry and operates on the global market, is willing and able to solve big challenges, activates ecosystem on the global market to develop visible competitive edge and boosts exports. During the summer of 2021 a new competition was launched, which is funded mainly through EU’s recovery and resilience package. Business Finland has today 15 December 2021 granted EUR 20 million in funding of the Wärtsilä led four-year project.
For more information:
Hannu Mäntymaa
Managing Director
Wärtsilä Finland Oy
+358 40 751 5446
hannu.mantymaa@wartsila.com