Chalmers University of Technology has been Södra Cell’s home university since 2002. The partnership has enabled us to establish a structured collaboration with Chalmers in applied research and education.

In 2004 a research cluster was formed specialising in new materials and high-performance fibres. Called the Avancell Fibre Technology Centre, the cluster’s name combines the Chalmers motto Avancez (“find the way forward”) and the first letters of cellulose fibre. We believe collaboration between a broad range of skills is key to coming up with new ideas and innovationsand have therefore decided to bring together researchers with different chemistry backgrounds.

The research cluster includes researchers in forest industry-related chemical technology, biopolymer technology, organic chemistry, technical surface chemistry and chemical equipment technology.

Södra’s research foundation is initially financing five doctorate students and a senior researcher for three years.