VTT is proud to announce its pivotal role in the newly established Innovative Advanced Materials Initiative (IAM-I). This international non-profit association, launched on January 30, 2025, aims to foster collaborative, cross-sectoral research and innovation ecosystem across Europe.
Advanced materials are crucial for Europe's technological competitiveness. The initiative aims to speed up the commercialization of sustainable innovative advanced materials (IAMs) and related technologies for a digital circular economy.
"I am thrilled to take on this role within IAM-I," said Tarja Laitinen, Vice President of VTT, who has been elected to the Executive Board of IAM-I.
"At VTT, we are committed to driving innovation in sustainable advanced materials, and this opportunity allows us to shape the future of Europe's green and digital transition. Our expertise and collaborative efforts will be significant in creating materials that address both critical industrial and societal needs, such as achieving carbon neutrality and transitioning to circular value chains."
This R&I agenda will be co-created with the European Commission and implemented through a public-private partnership IAM4EU under the EU’s Horizon Europe program.
VTT brings globally recognized expertise in advanced materials, backed by world-class pilot infrastructures, data, and modeling assets. With approximately 450 patent families and over 1,000 customers in various industries, VTT generates nearly 50% of its net turnover from outside Finland. This expertise supports the rapid development and industrial scaling of novel materials solutions in areas such as fusion energy, hydrogen economy, quantum computing, and biobased innovative materials.
Key focus areas
In the initial phase, IAM-I will focus on developing advanced materials for energy, mobility, construction, and electronics, which are the biggest sources of GHG emissions and essential for the green and digital transition.
They also have a notable influence on the EU economy and competitiveness, as well as relevance to reducing the EU’s dependencies and enhancing resilience.
Collaboration for innovation
VTT’s involvement in IAM-I provides a unique opportunity to set common priorities, share risks, pool knowledge, and optimize resources.
These collaborative R&I actions aim to strengthen Europe's position as the leading continent in materials science, research, and development.
