NovelBaltic
Authentic products from the forest are in demand
Super foods are a global mega trend because populations are ageing and the health awareness of consumers is growing. Non-timber forest products include highly valued products, such as health promoting foods but also bio-based cosmetics. But: There is a high risk of adulteration when it comes to the real origin of non-timber forest products. To help the reliable non-timber forest product businesses of the Baltic Sea region to grow, it is important to provide proof for authentic raw materials and end products. In the Baltic Sea region, such forest products can create jobs in rural areas since their manufacturing is economically most efficient close to forests and farmlands. The increased export of forest products to selected Asian markets could also contribute to the growth of the business.
Supporting SMEs and R&D institutions
NovelBaltic aimed to enhance the business potential of non-timber forest products by developing authenticity and quality demonstration methods for selected materials. R&D institutions dealing with authenticity and quality control were equipped with the knowledge they needed. SMEs received support in planning their businesses by studying the feasibility of selected technologies and evaluating the needed production volumes. NovelBaltic strengthened cooperation between academia and business to provide small and medium sized enterprises with new methods that certify the geographical origin of their products faster and cheaper and to evaluate business opportunities in Asian markets.
Budgets
in numbers
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1.90MillionTotal
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1.41MillionErdf
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0.00MillionEni + Russia
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0.06MillionNorway
Achievements
New techniques developed
Authentication methods are the key to proving the authenticity and quality of products. NovelBaltic project partners developed, reviewed and optimised several authentication and quality demonstration techniques. The project created methods using a variety of raw materials, including, for instance, bilberry, lingonberries, as well as chaga mushrooms and cranberries. The functionality of quality characterisation methods was assessed by comparing berry samples between different laboratories, for example, at the University of Oulu, at the Arctic University of Norway or at the University of Latvia. DNA-based and chemical-based are the two main categories of analyses to prove the authenticity of given products.
The NovelBaltic platform enables collaboration
The project placed the techniques onto the NovelBaltic platform which connects research and development service providers with enterprises. Totally, over 530 methods can be found on the platform. All the developed methods are to be used by SMEs to show reliable proof of authenticity and of the quality of their raw materials and products. This approach allows upgrading the marketing of such products. In addition, to help enterprises choose the best suitable method for their product, the project prepared recommendations for the methods. Interested parties can also contact NovelBaltic project partners for more detailed information on the methods and guidance and protocol of their application.
As NovelBaltic intended to support companies from the Baltic Sea region in entering the natural products market in China and Southeast Asia, it developed a handbook on starting a business in China
Outputs
The NovelBaltic platform
![](https://interreg-baltic.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/OUTPUT-image_NBPlatform.png)
The digital handbook
![](https://interreg-baltic.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/OUTPUT-image_The-digital-handboook-scaled.jpg)
The interactive brochure for digital products
![](https://interreg-baltic.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/OUTPUT-image_brochure.png)
Project Stories
Partners
University of Oulu
- TownOulu
- RegionPohjois-Pohjanmaa
- CountryFinland
- RepresentativeHely Häggman
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Centria University of Applied Sciences
- TownKokkola
- RegionKeski-Pohjanmaa
- CountryFinland
- RepresentativeLeena Favén
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
University of Latvia
- TownRiga
- RegionRīga
- CountryLatvia
- RepresentativeMaris Klavins
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Tartu Science Park
- TownTartu
- RegionLõuna-Eesti
- CountryEstonia
- RepresentativeVaido Mikheim
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Aalto University Foundation sr
- TownAalto
- RegionHelsinki-Uusimaa
- CountryFinland
- RepresentativePekka Oinas
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Kaunas University of Technology
- TownKaunas
- RegionKauno apskritis
- CountryLithuania
- RepresentativeAlvija Salaseviciene
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC)
- TownKėdainiai distr
- RegionKauno apskritis
- CountryLithuania
- RepresentativeRamunė Bobinaitė
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
Finnish Forest Centre
- TownLahti
- RegionKeski-Suomi
- CountryFinland
- RepresentativeTatu Viitasaari
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
SIA “Silv EXPO”
- TownRiga
- RegionRīga
- CountryLatvia
- RepresentativeIlona Vanaga
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
NIBIO – Norwegian Institute for bioeconomy research
- TownÅs
- RegionTroms
- CountryNorway
- RepresentativeEivind Uleberg
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
UIT The Arctic University of Norway
- TownTromso
- RegionTroms
- CountryNorway
- RepresentativeLaura Jaakola
- Phone
- E-Mail
- Web
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Project managerSanni KinnunenUniversity of Oulu
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Legal representativeMaarit JärvenpääUniversity of Oulu
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Financial managerJari KarjalainenUniversity of Oulu
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Communication managerLeena FavénCentria University of Applied Sciences