VTT and KCL sign a letter of intent to integrate the research and laboratory operations of KCL to VTT

Feb 04, 2009. /Lesprom.com/. State owned VTT Technical Research Center of Finland and the Finnish forest industry research institute KCL have signed a letter of intent to combine their research and laboratory operations, KCL said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. The purpose is to integrate the research and laboratory functions of KCL into VTT. Some 160 KCL employees will be transferred to VTT. The intended merger relates to the development of the research organization of the entire forest industry in Finland. The solid knowledge of the forest industry that KCL already possesses can, through the merger, be extended to new areas of growth, such as bioenergy and biorefineries, printed intelligent products and new material technologies. Integration of the KCL research operations and laboratory services into VTT will also strengthen VTT's research and service resources in areas of strategic importance, as well as create an opportunity for growth, according to a press release from VTT. The rest of KCL will remain an independent company, continuing operations as the owner of its Otaniemi facilities and pilot plant as well as the owner of Kymen Laboratorio Oy. Approximately 90 people will continue to be employed by KCL. The final agreement between VTT and KCL will be signed in May this year. The full implementation of the project will require funding from the Finnish government and the approval of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy as well as VTT's Board of Directors. VTT is the third largest applied research organisation in Europe. VTT provides a wide range of technology and research services for both domestic and international clients, privately owned companies and the public sector. KCL is a research facility owned by companies from the Finnish forest industry, offering a wide range of laboratory, piloting and information services.