Research and development

Universities, polytechnics, national research institutes and enterprises in the WFA area make notable contributions to research. Traditionally, universities have done basic research, and businesses applied research. Now universities have also taken a larger stake in applied research, in cooperation with business. Four universities and two university centres in the WFA area do notable research in various fields. The Academy of Finland has designated several university units ‘Centre of Excellence Science Units’. In the WFA area the following university units have received this title: the History of Mind, Geometrical Analysis and Mathematics and Physics Research Units at the University of Jyväskylä, the Research Unit on Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Disease at the University of Tampere, and the International Centre for Signal Processing Unit, Institute of Biomaterials and Institute of Hydraulics and Automation at the Tampere University of Technology.

The polytechnics were not originally established as research institutions. In practice, however, they have taken up applied research, particularly in the field of technology. These units are working closely together with businesses and are receiving ever more private-sector assignments.

VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, has its VTT Industrial Systems unit as well as parts of its VTT Information Technology, VTT Building and Transport, and VTT Processes units in Tampere, and the headquarters of the VTT Processes unit is located in Jyväskylä. The units cooperate with enterprises and have received more and more assignments from the private sector.

A significant part of research in the country is done by companies. In 2002, investment in research and development totalled some 4.8 billion euros, of which businesses contributed 73% (3.5 billion euros). Of the major enterprises in the WFA area during 2002, Nokia invested 10.2% of its turnover in research and development, machinery producer Metso 3.3%, electric motor manufacturer ABB 6.1%, marine engine manufacturer Wärtsilä 3.5%, mining equipment factory Sandvik-Tamrock 3.6%, tyre manufacturer Nokian Renkaat 1.8%, eye medication company Santen 11.9%, windshield machine maker Kyro 4.6%, press felts and dryer fabrics manufacturer for paper machinery Tamfelt 4.7%, forestry harvester manufacturer Timberjack 2.5%, and biotech and energy company Vapo 0.6%. The amount of investment was thus considerable.

The technology centres have their own significant role to play in the field of research and development. They are responsible for the implementation of the Centre of Expertise Programmes in selected areas:
- Automation and machinery technology, Tampere Technology Centre Hermia Ltd
- Information technology, Tampere Technology Centre Hermia Ltd
- Medical technology, Tampere Technology Centre Hermia Ltd and Finn-Medi Research Ltd
- Paper production, energy, information and environmental technologies, Jyväskylä Technology Centre Ltd
- Energy technology and economy, Technology Centre Merinova Ltd, Vaasa
- Distance technology and materials technology, Technology Centre PrizzTech Ltd, Pori
- Food stuffs, Foodwest Ltd Seinäjoki
- Intelligence technology, Technology Centre Ltd, Seinäjoki
- Technology center of Renewable enrgy sources, Thermopolis Ltd, Lapua, http://www.thermopolis.fi

In the public sector, the most important financer of research and development activities is the National Technology Agency of Finland, Tekes, operating under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Private venture capital companies have specialised in financing innovative businesses according to the shareholder principle.