Market driven authentic Non-Timber Forest Products from the Baltic region – focus on wild and semi cultivated species with business potential

NovelBaltic

PROGRAMME 2014-2020

priority

1 Innovation

objective

1.1 Research & innovation infrastructures

NovelBaltic

NovelBaltic helps small and medium-sized enterprises to improve the market uptake of non-timber forest products from the Baltic Sea region.

Project summary

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

NovelBaltic
in numbers

1.90

Million

Total
1.41

Million

Erdf
0.00

Million

Eni + Russia
0.06

Million

Norway

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

The platform compiles information on analyses for plant-based materials and products. Its users are guided towards identifying the most suitable service, for proving the characteristics and value of materials or products. Besides, the users can find information on the laboratories or institutes offering such services. Nineteen plant-based materials or products are included in the platform. The platform is mainly for natural product businesses that need quality or authentication analyses for their products. The platform is also open for laboratories interested in joining the network and getting their analyses/services included into the platform.

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The digital handbook

The digital handbook "Overview of the Baltic Sea region NTFP potential for the market entry into China" has been prepared as a guide for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) interested in entering the Chinese market with their non-timber, natural-based products. The typical entry process to the Chinese market is covered, and phases, which are important for companies to consider, are illustrated. Who and where are your main clients? How do you need to adapt your product/service? How can you handle business visits, landmark events and cultural differences? SMEs can use the toolbox to familiarise themselves with opportunities in the Chinese market and to develop their own implementation plan.

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The interactive brochure for digital products

The brochure compiles information on companies and their products. Companies are categorised and can be searched by the product categories (for example, berries, cosmetics, juices and drinks, medicine), by the country of origin (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway), or by alphabetical order. Business associations and business development/business support organisations can also make use of it. The brochure is open for adding or removing products and companies. It is interactive and responsive to the majority of devices, not only PCs but also smartphones and tablets. The brochure is available in English and in Chinese Mandarin.

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