Beyond papermaking: technology and market shifts for wood-based biomass industries – management implications for large-scale industries

Novotny, Michael; Laestadius, Staffan

doi:10.1080/09537325.2014.912789

Cited by 34 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Core activities are characterised by economies of scale, bulk production of commodities and price-based competition. Contrary to this, biorefinery technologies require a focus on economies of scope and a competitive strategy based on product differentiation and quality (Novotny and Laestadius 2014;Coenen et al 2015). It is consequently suggested that pulp and paper firms may not be the right actor to take biorefinery technologies to the commercial stage (I18).…”

Section: Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To exemplify, the retrofitting of the pulp and paper mill in the city of Örnsköldsvik, which is currently considered the most advanced biorefinery in the two countries, only happened after changes in ownership and management in 1999, when the previous owners had decided to close down the plant (Novotny and Laestadius 2014). Similarly, an interviewed representative of a pulp and paper firm, which has undergone a significant transformation during the last decade through divestments, conversions and closures of paper mills, as well as investments in commercialisation of biorefinery technologies, notes that this process has only been possible due to a significant change of staff at multiple levels including the highest level in the firm (I21): 'Many people had to leave the company on the way.…”

Section: Developing New Managerial Competenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While it was generally agreed that such organisational changes strengthen the position of biorefining within the firms, they are not sufficient. For instance, while Holmen established Holmen Biorefinery Center in 2009, the firm is yet to make its first major biorefinery investment (Novotny and Laestadius 2014), and describes itself as 'people committed to paper' (Matthis 2014, no page) who continue to concentrate investment on product development of paper. This also reflects that the size of biorefinery investments 6 necessitates decision taking at by top-level management.…”

Section: Abilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Identified reasons include lack of competencies, high capital intensity of the industry and difficulties in establishing strategic partnerships with actors from industries along the value-chain (Hansen and Coenen 2013;Novotny and Laestadius 2014;Näyhä and Pesonen 2014;Palgan and McCormick 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies analysing and synthesising the development and adoption of biorefinery technologies have primarily taken a technological innovation system (TIS) perspective (Negro and Hekkert 2008;Novotny and Laestadius 2014;Swedish Energy Agency 2014;Bauer et al in press). This approach foregrounds the role of networks of actors and institutions in the development and diffusion of novel technology and, in doing so, emphasises institutional and collective aspects of innovation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Unpacking resource mobilisation by incumbents for biorefineries: the role of micro-level factors for technological innovation system weaknesses

Hansen

Coenen

2016

Technology Analysis & Strategic Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Developing New Managerial Competenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Abilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Unpacking resource mobilisation by incumbents for biorefineries: the role of micro-level factors for technological innovation system weaknesses

Hansen

Coenen

2016

Technology Analysis & Strategic Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Biorefineries in Sweden: Perspectives on the opportunities, challenges and future

Palgan

McCormick

2016

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A growing political interest in the development of biorefineries is being shaped by climate change and a need to develop economically viable substitutes (i.e., fuels, products and chemicals) to those produced in traditional oil refineries. The pulp and paper industry in Sweden has been stagnating and it is therefore potentially promising to integrate biorefining into its activities as one way of diversifying its business. Sweden has good prerequisites for a transition to a bioeconomy due to its natural geographic conditions, industry, and infrastructure. It has developed a bioeconomy strategy and piloted several biorefinery projects. At the same time, the deployment of biorefineries has been slow, and they have not reached commercial scale. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the current and future development of biorefineries in the context of the emerging bioeconomy in Sweden. It is based on a literature review, policy analysis, and ten interviews with bioeconomy experts. It maps key political and legal aspects, economic and raw material aspects, social and cognitive aspects, and technology and infrastructure aspects that facilitate and hinder the development and deployment of biorefineries in Sweden. This paper identifies four action points important to the development of biorefineries and the bioeconomy: (i) commitments – establish targets and policies that drive the transition; (ii) contradictions – improve alignment on visions, goals, and activities; (iii) capacity – build up infrastructure and competences to harness the potential; and (iv) collaboration – develop cooperation across sectors and between actors. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

show abstract

Technological innovation systems for biorefineries: a review of the literature

Bauer

Coenen

Hansen

et al. 2017

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

103

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The concept of a bioeconomy can be understood as an economy where the basic building blocks for materials, chemicals and energy are derived from renewable biological resources. Biorefineries are considered an integral part of the development towards a future sustainable bioeconomy. The purpose of this literature review is to synthesize current knowledge about how biorefinery technologies are being developed, deployed, and diffused, and to identify actors, networks and institutions relevant for these processes. A number of key findings can be obtained from the literature. First, investing more resources in R&D will not help to enable biorefineries to cross the 'valley of death' towards greater commercial investments. Second, while the importance and need for entrepreneurship and the engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is generally acknowledged, there is no agreement how to facilitate conditions for entrepreneurs and SMEs to enter into the field of biorefineries. Third, visions for biorefinery technologies and products have focused very much on biofuels and bioenergy with legislation and regulation playing an instrumental role in creating a market for these products. But there is a clear need to incentivize non-energy products to encourage investments in biorefineries. Finally, policy support for biorefinery developments and products is heavily intertwined with wider discussions around legitimacy and social acceptance. The paper concludes by outlining current knowledge gaps. 3This is a post-print version

show abstract

Beyond papermaking: technology and market shifts for wood-based biomass industries – management implications for large-scale industries

Cited by 34 publications

References 17 publications

Unpacking resource mobilisation by incumbents for biorefineries: the role of micro-level factors for technological innovation system weaknesses

Unpacking resource mobilisation by incumbents for biorefineries: the role of micro-level factors for technological innovation system weaknesses

Biorefineries in Sweden: Perspectives on the opportunities, challenges and future

Technological innovation systems for biorefineries: a review of the literature

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About