Trailblazers
A historic bang
In July, a historic blast echoed through Sandvika. The world's first commercial tunnel blast using a potentially revolutionary explosive was detonated as part of the construction of the new E16.
In August, an equally historic blast was detonated in an open-pit mine in Verdal.
The blasts showed that Tynset-based Hypex Bio Norge, working with Hypex Bio Explosives Technology in Sweden, has achieved something no one has managed before: developing a completely nitrogen-free explosive with the same properties as conventional explosives. It could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent. The explosive has been named hydrogen peroxide emulsion, abbreviated to HPE.
To meet our climate targets, Norway needs its businesses to embrace new ideas and change. We are ready to accelerate the transition.
«Our role is to think bigger together with businesses and help them on their journey towards green growth.»
Whether you are a startup or transforming your business, creating innovative green solutions often requires investment. That is why we provide funding to businesses that want to transform or launch entirely new projects, bringing our society one step closer to the green transition.
‘Our funding schemes are designed to make it easier for you to succeed,’ Drøpping emphasises.
Three of the companies that have developed innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their sectors are Hypex Bio, Saga Robotics and Sørheim Holding.
«‘They are good examples of the kind of initiatives we should support. We support many similarly promising ideas, and we are working to ensure that, together, these solutions make a significant contribution to reducing Norway’s greenhouse gas emissions.’»
Solving major challenges
‘It is an enormous relief to see that our solution works. It has been a steep learning curve, and it is incredibly exciting to achieve something that no one else has done before us,’ says Tron Nytrøen, CEO of Hypex Bio Norway.
Every year, large amounts of nitrogen from conventional explosives end up in lakes and waterways, causing excessive plant growth. This poses a major and costly environmental challenge. Conventional explosives also release NOx gases that are harmful to workers involved in tunnel construction. Hypex Bio's environmentally friendly explosives solve both problems while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent compared with conventional solutions.
Supporting the explosives of the future
We have provided both regional development grants and regional innovation loans to help create value across Norway.
‘Our support has clearly been important. It has enabled us to become operational much faster than we otherwise would have,’ says Nytrøen.
They are now preparing to commercialise production and bring their groundbreaking solution to market. The potential is significant, and it has attracted considerable interest worldwide.
'I believe this is the explosive of the future,' says Nytrøen.
Our adviser in Innlandet, Kristin Siksjø, believes Hypex Bio's project is both exciting and important.
«We will facilitate sustainable business development in every region. Hypex Bio's growth and development will create important jobs in rural areas while helping to achieve our climate targets.»
Sørheim Holding is a shipping company investing in green solutions. Now, this cornerstone business in Meløy, Nordland, is taking its local community into the future with a hybrid fishing vessel.
Amid the rugged mountains of Meløy municipality in Nordland lies the home port of an extraordinary fishing vessel. 'Selvåg Senior' not only looks ultra-modern, but also emits 40 per cent fewer greenhouse gases than comparable vessels without this technology.
The new, innovative vessel has a dual-fuel (DF) main engine that uses LNG in combination with batteries. Its streamlined design minimises the vessel's energy consumption.
‘Selvåg Senior’ was launched earlier this year. In addition to its gas and battery-powered engine, it recovers both cold and heat: the cold generated when heating the LNG is used to cool the water in which the fish are stored, while the heat is converted into electricity.
«There have been ups and downs, but we have always kept our eyes firmly on the future. We can now offer modern, safe workplaces and continue to play a part in developing the fishing industry.»
World-class energy efficiency
‘Throughout the process, we have focused on saving energy and reducing emissions as much as possible. By using available technology, as well as some new technology, we have created one of the world’s most energy-efficient vessels, with LNG as its primary energy source,’ says Sørheim.
Sintef worked with the shipping company throughout the construction process. The research institute is now collecting data from the vessel to learn more about how to optimise energy use and recovery, so that others can benefit from this knowledge.
The forward-thinking shipping company is also exploring opportunities to establish a biogas plant, supported by a grant from us.
«If we can blend biogas into the LNG, it will cut emissions even further. We genuinely want to contribute to the green transition.»
We support innovative players
Several organisations have helped finance the environmentally friendly vessel, which cost more than NOK 400 million. We provided loans totalling NOK 155 million.
‘Our support has clearly played an important role in making the project a reality,’ says Sørheim.
Our Regional Director in Nordland, Monica Ahyee, emphasises the importance of the fishing industry to both Nordland and Norway.
«Here we have a shipping company that dares to think differently and innovate, while taking responsibility for the green transition of the fishing fleet. We champion companies like this and are pleased to support the project.»
Saga Robotics set out to develop a laser robot that could replace pesticides. The result was Thorvald. The robot has proved successful in British strawberry fields. Now, vineyards in California await.
An arch-shaped robot on wheels moves slowly across a British strawberry field. The Norwegian robot uses data-driven precision farming, equipped with UV-C light that tackles a major problem: powdery mildew. This reduces the use of chemicals and saves farmers time and effort.
Saga Robotics is already the UK market leader in UV-C treatment. The potential in the US is significant, with 2.5 million acres of vineyards waiting for them. Mass production of Thorvald 3 will also begin next year, doubling the number of customers in the UK.
«We have ambitious growth plans in both the UK and the US. Our big, bold goal is to become a leading player in sustainable agricultural technology. »
At the same time, they are adding new features to the robots to make them even more precise and effective at controlling pests, including a tool that cuts runners and a device that disperses predatory mites. Thorvald also collects data to predict crop yields and detect disease in strawberry plants.
Supports international expansion
Since the company was founded, we have provided both loans and grants to help the green entrepreneurs develop and grow.
«Støtten fra Innovasjon Norge gjør det mulig for oss å utvikle og levere flere Thorvald-roboter, og åpner døren for en større internasjonal ekspansjon av teknologien vår. Flere autonome og intelligente Thorvald-roboter bidrar til positive miljøeffekter - som bedre sykdomskontroll, og mindre klimagassutslipp og kjemikalier i matproduksjonen.»
Our Regional Director for Eastern Norway, Kristin Willoch Haugen, is pleased that our funding and export support have enabled Saga Robotics to expand internationally with its autonomous, sustainable solutions for food production.
‘The company has significant potential because it addresses several global challenges, and we have great confidence in its future,’ says Haugen.
