Oct 06, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Kemira Oyj are opening a new joint R&D center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The R&D center will focus primarily on water chemistry and biomass utilisation applications. The center will start operations in the end of 2010, Kemira Oyj said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. The new center is a continuum for the Center of Water Efficiency Excellence, which Kemira initially established together with VTT in Finland. The center in Sao Paulo aims to implement the newest water technology research in the growing South American market. Important focus areas will be biomass, bioethanol, pulp and applications for the oil and mining industries. "This R&D center in São Paulo is the fourth part in Kemira's R&D center network that we need for executing our growth strategy. Kemira has been investing in building a strong technology platform and developing new water chemistry applications for various industries. A strong presence in emerging markets is essential for technology transfer and extracting signals from the market. Now we will have a network capable of conducting focused R&D for the South American market", says Harri Kerminen, President and CEO of Kemira. The primary function of VTT's new unit in Brazil will be to form partnerships with local enterprises and research institutions in turning biomass into chemicals, energy (biofuels), and pulp-based products. VTT aims to grow the new unit into a team of 10 research scientists by the end of 2011 and a genuine research centre of 15 - 20 employees by the end of 2012. The Brazilian unit will operate under VTT International Ltd as part of VTT Group.