Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom strengthens Satakunta’s competitiveness

SAMK’s new Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom brings together the expertise of around 30 researchers and lecturers. The Center develops solutions for sustainable growth, competitiveness and security of supply. The Center has an ambitious long-term goal: to make Satakunta Finland’s most resource-wise region.

A wind turbine against a bright blue sky.

Resource wisdom means using natural resources, raw materials, energy and other resources intelligently and efficiently. In practice, this means reducing waste and environmental impacts, improving cost efficiency, making use of side streams and identifying new business opportunities.

– Resource wisdom creates a competitive advantage in both national and international business. In Satakunta, it means looking at energy, food, construction and materials as an interconnected whole: reducing waste, cutting costs, creating new business opportunities from side streams and strengthening preparedness for disruptions. Security of supply is not a separate strand of our work – it runs through all our expertise, says Mikko Lehtonen, Research Manager and Head of the Center.

Resource wisdom strengthens Satakunta’s vitality

Satakunta has strong industrial expertise, expertise in energy and the food chain, as well as a long tradition in construction. However, the operating environment is changing rapidly. The green transition, limited natural resources and geopolitical changes are affecting businesses and the region’s security of supply.

The Center of Expertise helps businesses and other organisations in the region find and adopt resource-wise solutions. At the heart of its activities are practical national and international development projects, collaboration with businesses, as well as education and research.

Internationalisation is also important for Satakunta’s competitiveness. The region’s economy is strongly dependent on successful export industries, which also play a significant role in terms of security of supply. The Center of Expertise also supports resource-wise businesses in export-related activities, such as market research and trade missions.

From research to practice

– We want to bring research, education and business collaboration together so that the results can be seen in Satakunta. The Center of Expertise brings experts and businesses together: we develop solutions that can be put into practice in factories, construction sites, farms and energy infrastructure, Lehtonen says.

The Center of Expertise works in collaboration with businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, communities and other organisations in the region. Research and development work is carried out with regional, national, international and private funding.

The goal is a Satakunta where resources are used wisely, new business is created, and the region’s competitiveness and security of supply are strengthened together.

Part of the new Resource Wisdom Competence Centre team posing for a group photo in front of the SAMK campus building.
Team members of the new Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom pictured together on the SAMK campus. Research Manager and Head of the Center Mikko Lehtonen is on the far left.

Four areas of expertise

The activities of the Center of Expertise are built around four areas of expertise. Security of supply is a cross-cutting theme across all four.

Sustainable and responsible construction
The Center develops low-carbon construction, the digitalisation of construction products, life-cycle thinking and the reuse of the building stock.

Renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency
Research and development focus on areas including solar energy and the energy efficiency of businesses and industry. Decentralised renewable energy solutions can also strengthen a resilient energy supply in times of crisis.

Responsible and sustainable food chain
The aim is to develop a safe and regionally sustainable food system that strengthens both the economy and security of supply. One example of this is the research and development work of the Satakunta Biovalley.

Circular economy solutions
The Center promotes the circular use of materials, the utilisation of side streams and new business models in collaboration with businesses. Key cooperation partners include the Kirkkokallio Eco-Industrial Park.


Further information:

Mikko Lehtonen
Research Manager
Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Tel. +358 44 710 6362
mikko.lehtonen@samk.fi

Further information about the new Center is available on its website

Center of Expertise for Resource Wisdom Link opens in a new tab

Share this page

SuomiAreena events take place across Pori. The photo shows a panel discussion from a few years ago in the courtyard of Pori City Hall.

SAMK at SuomiAreena, in themes of space technology, expertise and a sustainable future

SAMK will participate in SuomiAreena in Pori from 23 to 26 June 2026. SAMK will be contributing both the Kansalaistori (Citizen square) programme and SuomiAreena’s Suuri avaruuspäivä (Big Space Day) which will explore the opportunities offered by space technology and Finland’s role as a future success story.

Former NASA astronaut Tim Kopra (right) and NASA HUNCH Program Manager Scott Rodriguez listened to students presenting their space-related projects during their visit to SAMK.

International space industry guests visited Pori – see the photo gallery

Former NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, NASA HUNCH Program Manager Scott Rodriguez, and Consul General of Finland in Houston Stefan Lindström visited Pori to explore the region’s potential in developing space-related education, research, and international collaboration.

Katri-Piia Rajala is sitting on a chair on the bridge of a maritime simulator.

Arctic expertise is growing – SAMK developing solutions for the maritime transport of the future

Arctic maritime transport has rapidly emerged as one of the key development trends in the maritime sector. At SAMK this is reflected in a clear focus on maritime logistics research.