Sweden Innovation Days 2024 – Watch the online event which took place 20-21 March

Sweden Innovation Days 2024 took place 20-21 March, this is an annual online digital event,  which this year attracted over 2,000 registered participants from 89 different countries.

The focus of the online conference is to connect innovation actors from around the world and to foster partnerships with clear and actionable missions to create a more sustainable world. Sweden is a sustainability front runner and committed to contributing to the Global Goals.

Sweden Innovation Days is dedicated to fostering international collaboration, so whether you are a start-up, intermediary or corporate, working in the public sector, civil society, academia or a government agency, there will be key takeaways for everyone.

The event is organised by Vinnova – Sweden’s innovation agency, the Swedish Energy Agency – leading the transition to a sustainable energy system and Formas – a Swedish research council for sustainable development in collaboration with Swedish Incubators & Science Parks (SISP) and Business Sweden.

Watch the sessions for the 2-day online event here:

https://swedeninnovationdays.se/past-event/lets-innovate-for-resilience/

Summary – Ambassador of Sweden to Australia’s visit to Perth on 26 March

On the occasion of the Ambassador of Sweden to Australia HE Pontus Melander’s visit to Perth on 26 March the SACC Perth WA Chapter organised company visits to Scania and Fortescue together with delegates from SACC and the Swedish Consulate followed by a Swedish inspired dinner at Moose Restaurant in Claremont. 

Martin Melin, Head of Operations, Autonomous Mining Solutions at Scania presented good insights into their Electrification roadmap for sustainable transport system that by 2030 more than half of Scania’s new vehicle sales volume is expected to come from electrically powered vehicles. We learnt about Scania’s charging solutions as well as work around the safety of batteries used for their electric trucks was provided and the company visit was finished with a good tour around the facility where the delegates got a good overview of the electric trucks specific offering for the Australian market.

 

 

Following the Scania visit HE Pontus Melander Ambassador of Sweden to Australia and delegation visited Fortescue in Perth. During the visit, Fortescue representatives guided us through their Research and Development facility in Hazelmere where we learnt about their 240-tonne green hydrogen truck. The Fortescue green team have been designing zero emissions haul trucks. Fortescue is aiming to demonstrate that renewables can power the energy needs of Australia’s mining and resources sector, and they are continuing to develop a zero emissions locomotive to enable Fortescue to decarbonise their rail network by 2030.

The day concluded with a delightful Swedish dinner at the Moose Restaurant in Claremont.

Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of a successful visit!

Martin Melin, Scania

Ross Lemmon, Fortescue

Lisa Jahrsten, Honorary Consul of Sweden and SACC Perth WA Chapter Board

Joseph Olsson, Sandvik and SACC Perth WA Chapter Board Chair

Pia Nilsson CWG Project Services and SACC Perth WA Chapter Board

Jonas Edner, Moose Café and Restaurant Claremont and SACC Perth WA Chapter Board

 

NEW CORPORATE MEMBER – Wallenius Wilhelmsen

 

Wallenius Wilhelmsen – Sustainable logistics for a world in motion

WW vessel, the Swedish Flagged M/V FIDELIO alongside at WW’s MIRRAT Terminal in Melbourne

 

Wallenius Wilhelmsen is the global leader in integrated vehicle transportation and logistics, supporting our customers across their supply chain, all the way from the factory to the end-consumer. Our ambition is to lead the way in transforming shipping and logistics. With 9,500+ employees and 81 nationalities working in 28 different countries, we aim to consistently be the customers’ preferred integrated logistics partner. Together, we are building resilient, connected, data-driven, decarbonized solutions fit for the future.

Benefiting from over 160 years of heritage and history (with more than 125 years of history in Australia), Wallenius Wilhelmsen includes several brands, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, EUKOR, ARC, Armacup and Keen, and today has operations in three key segments: Shipping services, Logistics services and Government services. Our head office is located in Oslo, Norway. The company was initially created in 1999 as a result of the merger between Sweden’s Wallenius Lines and Norway’s Wilhelmsen Lines which created Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. In 2017 this became WalleniusWilhelmsen ASA and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. We provide a comprehensive land-based logistics network through eight terminals, 11 inland distribution networks and more than 66 service and processing centres located around the world. In addition, we work in-house at many manufacturers’ plants preparing vehicles for the end consumers. At sea, we have more than 125 vessels on 15 trade routes, serving six continents. The RoRo vessels in our fleet typically have a higher-than-average number of hoistable decks and a stronger ramp capacity than our rivals. This provides enhanced flexibility allowing us to carry multiplex cargo answering the needs of a variety of customers. By fleet size, we are the world’s largest operator of pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).2023 was a very strong year for Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Capacity constraints in the car carrier markets have led to solid earnings for the shipping services segment and we have consistently renewed multi-year contracts at rates reflecting the current market. Contract renewals have focused on integrating offerings across ocean and land-based services, combined with decarbonization initiatives such as the use of biofuel. Furthermore, we have seen very solid growth and margin improvements in the logistics and government segments.

The Oceania inbound Trade is one of the key global trade lanes for WW. Historically this trade has relied on imports from the Americas and Europe, however as sourcing points continue to shift, North Asia, driven by the increase in exports from China, is fast emerging as a key sourcing region for our region. Here we see a growing number of European and American Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) shift their production to China, and most importantly we see China’s rise to now be the largest exporter of electric vehicles worldwide.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen is well positioned to satisfy the growing demand in this trade, offering integrated logistics solutions in both China and Australia, and shipping services through its group company ARMACUP.

Through our land-based and shipping services activities, Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides services to several major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) from Sweden, ranging from automobile manufacturers to mining and construction plant equipment manufacturers.  

WW’s Equipment Processing Centre located in Laverton, Victoria. One of 5 EPC’s around the country.

 

Contact details:

Matthew Jackson, Senior Manager, Mining, Construction and Break Bulk Oceania, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean

matthew.jackson@walwil.com

www.walleniuswilhelmsen.com

Swedish garden designers win award for ’New Nordic Notes’ sustainable garden design in Melbourne March 2024

Swedish garden designers win award for ’New Nordic Notes’ sustainable garden design at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in March 2024

’New Nordic Notes’ show garden, created by design duo Annika Zetterman and Kajsa Björne, was awarded Silver Gilt at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2024, which attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. “The garden is a place for reflection, deeply rooted in the culture and nature of the Nordics, with details that keep surprising, which makes it a winner.”

The ’New Nordic Notes’ garden was highlighted on various YouTube and podcast channels and broadcasted on Better Homes and Gardens (Channel 7), Garden Gurus (Channel 9) and Gardening Australia.

”- New Nordic Notes show garden is a celebration and inspiration of the Nordics. The garden was created to encourage generations to look at their past with pride and respect. A place which motivates you to storytelling and create meaningful design expressions, to stay curious about materials and to appreciate nature, despite living in Australia or the Nordic countries.”

There is a particular word in Swedish, “smultronställe”, which translates to a place in the wild where an abundance of wild strawberries grows. Smultronställe is referred to as a beautiful place you can escape to from everyday life, a place which gives you sentimental and personal value.

“- We decided at an early stage to create a garden as a place free from stress, a place to relax and reflect, not to be dictated where to stand or sit. As an anecdote to ‘smultronställe’ we added strawberries in the planting beds, a variety with red flowers, much appreciated by visitors.”

After the show, memories and photos are what remains of the garden. All materials have been reused and all plants have been returned to suppliers, with sustainability in mind.

More info, Instagram @newnordicnotes

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show: https://melbflowershow.com.au/

 

Designer Profiles

Kajsa Björne

Kajsa holds a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture, with international experience, having worked and studied in Sweden, England, Japan and Australia. Kajsa was the lead designer for the award-winning Ian Potters Children’s Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park, in Sydney. She resides in Central Coast, NSW.

 Annika Zetterman

 Annika is a leading garden designer in Sweden, where she runs her design practice in Stockholm with projects in the Nordics and beyond. She is the author of the bestselling book ‘New Nordic Gardens’ and lectures on the subject both in Sweden and abroad.

 https://thamesandhudson.com.au/product/new-nordic-gardens-scandinavian-landscape-design/

https://www.booktopia.com.au/new-nordic-gardens-annika-zetterman/book/9780500296141.html

 

Photography by Allie Aszodi

 

Volvo Group Australia recently hosted A Night with Volvo Group at their headquarters in Wacol, Queensland

Volvo Group Australia recently hosted A Night with Volvo Group  at their headquarters in Wacol, Queensland to celebrate a new benchmark in trucking performance. The customer event was attended by His Excellency, the Honourable Pontus Melander, The Ambassador of Sweden and executive leaders from across the Volvo Group global organisation, including Volvo Group President and CEO, Martin Lundstedt, President Volvo Trucks, Roger Alm and Head of Volvo Construction Equipment, Melker Jernberg.

The international guests took part in revealing Australia’s most powerful on-highway truck, the FH16 with 780 horsepower D17 engine. The new engine delivers increased fuel efficiency with savings up to 5% and is compatible with renewable fuel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).

“A world of possibilities has been built into this engine platform,” says Shayne Commons, Director of Product and Performance, Volvo Group Australia, “Highly efficient drive trains capable of using alternative fuels will be a key part of our path to net zero emissions.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary – Circular Economy Workshop in Brisbane 12 March

On 12 March the SACC Brisbane Chapter together with the SACC Sustainability Committee organised an insightful Circular Economy Workshop at the Sandvik office.

The event started with a welcome from Sandvik Australia Managing Director Wayne Scrivens and an intro from Teresia Fors, SACC Vice President and Chair SACC QLD Chapter. Dr Nicole T Garofano, Head of Circular Economy Development Planet Ark Environmental Foundation gave us an introduction to Circular Economy for businesses followed by a workshop, led by Circular Economy Specialist Linda Nordin, on how to transition your business models from linear to circular and how this aligns with the upcoming ISO standard for CE.

After the workshop there was a thought-provoking panel discussion, featuring below panellists, who shared key initiatives, opportunities and challenges switching to circular today; Dr Nicole T Garofano, Catherine Hill, Senior Investment Advisor for Circular Economy – Europe Desk at Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)Lauren Pulitano, Vice President of Public Affairs at Volvo Group Australia and Brittany Wappett, Sustainability Advisor at Sandvik.

The event concluded with a brief presentation of the SACC Sustainability Committee, its members and focus here in Australia by SACC General Manager, Camilla Jennings.

A big thank you to all involved in this engaging event! Special thank you to Sandvik for hosting us at their central office in Brisbane!

#SACCevent #circulareconomy #circularity #businessnetworking #sustainability #brisbane #businessevent

 

 

 

 

NORDIC OPEN GOLF DAY 1 MARCH 2024 – SUMMARY

 The annual Nordic Open Golf Day 2024 took place on 1 March at Moore Park Golf in Sydney. What a day we had with 19 teams, 76 players and an extra 22 participants celebrating with us in Nordic spirit at the post golf lunch and networking event.

The Nordic Open Golf Day has become a popular and sold out event within the Nordic and Estonian business community. A great day out with fantastic networking opportunities in a relaxed setting, but the competition for the trophy was still on!

Female and male players, at all levels, take part in a mix of corporate and individual teams. The game is Ambrose, meaning each player hits from the tee-off and then chooses the best ball and continues from there with every player again hitting from this spot. The combined strokes are then counted for each team minus the team handicap to calculate the overall Ambrose score. Via the Moore Park Golf app players could follow the interactive scorecards and live leader board, which added to the comp.

The Nordic Open Golf Day 2024 Trophy winner for the second year in a row was Sweden with corporate team EQT Partners, with Sam Franklin, Ryan Ter, Paul Gately and Jerry Yin. The runner up prize was also awarded to a Swedish team with Christer Engström, Carl Broström, Rickard Wärnelid and Mattias Friberg. In third place, we had Treotham mixed team with Mikael Paltoft, Daniel Hallgren, Johan Hempel and Erik Södergren. The 4th team in the comp was secured by corporate team Husqvarna with Michael Cary, Andrew Murison, Craig McQueen and Ken Ward.

Congratulations to the overall comp winners!

The Individual prizes female and male for Nearest to Pin sponsored by GolfSpace were won by Jinny Park, Volvo Car Australia and Christer Engström, Advancy.

Longest Drive female winner was Marika Kompus, Aero Travel and the male winner was Joona Puhakka, Coredo Group. Both won a robotic Husqvarna mower.

All players had a chance to win a brand new Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, with a hole-in-one on hole 10. Again this year no players were lucky or skilled to hit the hole-in-one, but we introduced a new prize this year to the closest to HiO. The closest to HiO winner was Rob Lord, WIlh Wilhelmsen Investments, who won a Sydney hotel weekend stay for two sponsored by The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Congrats all, fantastic effort!

The on time award sponsored by Galvin Watch Company went to Andrew Murison from team Husqvarna. A Kopparberg Rosé Cider was handed out to everyone who hit the green on hole 15 and the lucky door prize winner received a bottle of Aquavit sponsored by Nordic Selection.

During the day we also ran the Nordic Putting Competition, which took place in front of the club house throughout the day for golfers and lunch only participants. The winner of the 2024 Putting comp was Rickard Wärnelid, Mazars. Runner up was Magnus Perry from SighUp Software.

Well done to all who took part in the Nordic Putting comp!

Special Guests at this year’s Nordic Open Golf Day were Per Linnér, Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Sweden Canberra and Erik Svedahl, Deputy Head of Mission Royal Norwegian Embassy Canberra, who both in their speeches highlighted the importance of the Nordic collaboration and what a great joint effort this event resulted in. The Nordic and Estonian Chambers especially thank Per Linnér and Erik Swedahl for taking part in the Nordic Open Golf Day 2024.

Danish Connect was represented by David McLellan and Rikke Gamborg, Joona Puhakka represented FACC, EACCI by Marianna Jolla, NACC by Sophia Demetriades Toftdahl and SACC by Camilla Jennings. Thank you to all chamber representatives and volunteers for your support and contribution to making this event happen!

Big thank you to all participants and the Nordic and Estonian Chambers for kicking off this event for the 8th year and to Moore Park Golf Club for hosting this annual event.

We look forward to next year’s Nordic Open Golf Day, which is planned to be held on the first Friday in March 2025. We welcome new event ideas, feedback and if you would like to get involved please contact us: sacc@swedishchamber.com.au

Read the event summary with images here

Thank you to all Corporate Sponsors & Event and Prize Sponsors!