"Customer-focused innovations, strong in-house research and extensive co-operation with academic and research institutions are the foundations of success in these industries," says

Mikko Maijala, chairman of Chemec and FP-Pigments. "As we have in Europe, we aim to bring to Asia the quality, reliability and technological edge that will in turn drive the success of our customers."

About 20 per cent of the groups' 130 personnel focus on R&D and collaborate with universities and research organisations throughout Europe and the United States.

Chemec and FP-Pigments conduct research in-house at the R&D centre located in the Raisio facility, which was acquired from international chemicals giant BASF.

Combined, Chemec and FP-Pigments are expected to exceed Euro100 million (HK$1 trillion) in turnover this year, sustaining a five-year average annual growth rate of 40 per cent.

"We are committed to sustaining such energy and even surpassing our targets, especially as we heighten our activities to match the equally vigorous Asian and global markets," Mikko Maijala says.

Chemec: Innovative industrial and special chemicals

Capable of producing its own acrylate and acetate binders, Chemec primarily supplies industrial and special chemicals for industries ranging from paper and board to paint, non-wovens and mining.

Founded in 1987, Chemec has since expanded with its own pigment slurry plants in Rauma, Oulu and Kemi in Finland. Using a continuous slurry process, it manufactures pigment slurries and high-standard filler and coating pigment mixtures to serve the pulp and paper industry and leading pigment manufacturers.

This technique allows an energy-efficient process that ensures the production of pigments that adhere to the highest quality standards.

"It is this kind of know-how which often opens the door to our customers," says Tapani Niskanen, managing director of Chemec. "Beyond competitive pricing, we offer value-added solutions and services that come only from decades of experience and dedication to our craft."

The company reaches Germany, England, Russia and the Baltic countries through subsidiaries CH-Polymers in Finland and Chemec Sweden. It has a particularly strong position in Scandinavia and Europe, where it is reputed as a "know-how company" and a reliable distributor of industrial chemicals, products and equipment.

Showcasing the best of Chemec's know-how is one of the company's latest innovations: the CH-Flaker, a patented technology for material preparation in wood chip handling for biomaterials used in the particle board and pellet industries.

A product of 20 years of experience in the process industry and the support of Tekes, the Finnish funding agency for technology and innovation, the CH-Flaker was first introduced in the particle board sector. Results from the mill scale production have been successful, achieving all quality and efficiency figures that were seen earlier at pilot scale. Most importantly, the CH-Flaker has proven that it requires only one maintenance stop per year - a feat that was previously inconceivable.

More effective than any other equipment of its kind in the market, the product requires little to no maintenance and can save customers significant energy and maintenance costs. Based on a technology enabling rotors to turn towards opposite directions, the CH-Flaker requires low energy consumption and low maintenance because the rotors wear out much slower than in conventional equipment. It does not need a fan for chip delivery, and is capable of mixing additives into the wood material. With a controllable rotor speed, the CH-Flaker can also fine-tune the size and shape of the final particles.

Having created interest among pellet producers, the CH-Flaker is set to be launched in the pellet and other biomaterial industries this year, with the first batch of equipment slated for assembly in May. For interested customers, Chemec's pilot facility in Finland welcomes clients to make test runs with their own raw materials.

Enjoying early success in the European market, the CH-Flaker is expected to make waves in Asia's cost-sensitive markets.

Recognising the mainland's increasingly strong role in the industry's supply chain, Chemec has also ventured into the distribution of China-made products across Europe. Working closely with several Chinese companies, Chemec is actively looking for more similarly motivated partners that are interested in broadening their reach in the European market.

"Knowing the local landscape - from the market to the hard winters - and being able to navigate it with a reliable logistical chain make us the preferred distributor of some of China's biggest players," Niskanen says. "We look forward to working with more Asian companies targeting the European, Nordic and Russian markets through a tested Finnish partner."

Chemec also welcomes potential joint venture opportunities in China, where it can impart its expertise, especially in high-quality speciality binders for the paper and board, paint and non-woven industries.

"There is always growth opportunity for a company that has unique solutions," Niskanen says. "We are excited to create new and innovative products with potential partners and grow together in the flourishing Chinese market."

FP-Pigments: High-performance and cost-effective solutions

Innovations that could enhance the way entire industries work are the trademark of FP-Pigments.

The company has won numerous global patents for many of its products and technologies, specialising in high-performance distinct opacity and speciality pigments for paints and coatings, paper and board, plastics and printing inks among other applications.

FP-Pigments' biggest breakthrough is an opacity pigment that can replace titanium dioxide - the most effective widely used white pigment.

FP-Pigments has three production plants for opacity pigments serving the needs of customers around the world: Valkeakoski in Finland, Leuna in Germany and Rome, Georgia in the United States. The company is also investing in the production capacity expansion of its Leuna plant.

Used as a pigment to provide whiteness and opacity in myriad applications, from rubber and inks to paper, plastics, and architectural and industrial coatings, titanium dioxide has a global market worth ofUS$13 billion.

The company is capturing this promising opportunity with its unique innovative alternatives. FP-Pigments' novel product concept allows 1:1 replacement of titanium dioxide with a typical replacement ratio of 10 to 50 per cent or as much as 100 per cent in some cases. The highest replacement ratios in paints and coatings have been achieved in water-based decorative paints and in powder coatings, in plastics in PVC applications and in paper and board in wet-end and coating applications.

"Titanium dioxide has been repeatedly attempted to be replaced for years as it is a very expensive component. We are proud to be the supplier to bring a viable alternative with improved environmental properties to the market," says Roope Maijala, managing director of FP-Pigments.

"More than offering a cost-efficient way to achieve opacity and brightness, this discovery also presents a revolutionary opportunity to improve the environmental profile of the end product by lowering its carbon footprint. We believe that our product is offering a great possibility, amid growing environmental concerns globally, to companies needing high opacity and brightness in their products."

By closely co-operating with its customers and continuously investing in R&D, FP-Pigments takes pride in bringing innovations regularly. It aims to strengthen its presence in existing applications with new innovative products. The latest innovations include products to improve inkjet printing properties in various paper grades and products to replace titanium dioxide with a high substitution rate in polyolefin masterbatches and solvent-based paints.

Pursuing a broader presence in Asia, FP-Pigments has opened offices in Singapore and India, and is actively looking to expand its distribution and sales network in other parts of the region, particularly in China. The company is also planning to invest in an Asian-based production plant and is conducting a feasibility study on a suitable location.

FP-Pigments' global operations are ISO 9001-certified. All products sold and manufactured in Europe comply with Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations.

"As an innovative company, we are constantly pursuing growth opportunities," Roope Maijala says. "Until last year, we had successfully focused our growth aspirations mainly on Europe and North America, but China and Asia have become the top priorities as we are eager to continue the strong growth and intensify our global presence with the unique products and product solutions. Planning the business concepts for the Asian market and building the needed networks to ensure success of our innovative high-performance products in the area are in progress."

Chemec and FP-Pigments www.chemec.fi ; www.fp-pigments.com