The electrification of society and the solutions offered by the battery industry will have a significant impact on how climate objectives can be achieved. Finland’s new National Battery Strategy presents the means by which the country will become a competitive, competent and sustainable player in the international battery industry, as per the statement. The Strategy is founded on the promotion of responsible battery production and electrification.

The working group preparing the Strategy submitted its proposal to Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä on 26 January 2021. The EU aims to create an innovative, competitive and sustainable battery industry in Europe, and the strategy responds to this challenge in part.

The cornerstones of the Battery Strategy include the availability of raw materials and the capability to process them, expertise in research and production of battery materials and recycling, and competence in electrification and digitalisation. Finland also aims to promote the circular economy of batteries. However, without the production and processing of battery minerals, climate objectives cannot be achieved because recycling alone does not cover the growing need for critical materials.

“Finnish companies have the opportunity to play a significant role in the electrification of European transport and society as a whole. When we utilise our current expertise and develop new competence in the battery and electrification sector, Finland can provide an attractive environment for new investments and the expansion of existing operations,” said Mika Lintilä.

“The electrification of societies and transport is a powerful megatrend. Finland should seize this growth potential, which is only rarely available. In addition to battery raw materials, their processing and circular economy solutions, electrification will also create new opportunities for Finland’s traditional export sectors, including machine, transport and electronics industries. The key to success is competitiveness and a high level of competence,” said Mika Nykänen, Chair of the working group and Director General of the Geological Survey of Finland.

The Strategy's vision is that in 2025 the Finnish battery cluster will lead the way in producing innovations, sustainable economic growth, wellbeing, skills and jobs in the country. The working group has proposed the following seven objectives:

1. The battery and electrification cluster will grow and undergo a renewal.  
2. Investments in the battery and electrification cluster will increase.
3. Operators in the battery and electrification sectors will promote competitiveness in cooperation.
4. The Finnish battery and electrification sector will be known as a successful brand across the world.
5. Responsibility will be a key part of the growth, renewal and brand of the Finnish battery and electrification sector.
6. Finnish operators will play a key role in the new value chains.
7. Digital solutions will expand the knowledge and business base and speed up the development of the battery sector.

The working group proposes several measures to achieve these objectives, including the establishment of a new national cooperation body, which would be responsible for bringing together operators in the battery sector and for implementing the strategy. Other measures include improving competence through a training programme for battery engineers, creating a plan for a research programme focusing on the needs of the battery sector, appointing envoys to market Finland as a destination for battery investments and developing public funding. A large number of experts from companies, research institutions, the Ministry and other public sector organisations are said to have participated in the preparation of the National Battery Strategy.