MILAB – an important resource in SCA's innovation work
SCA's Forest Products has a long-term collaboration agreement with Mid Sweden University's research lab MILAB. Here, the company has access to advanced equipment for material analysis – something that plays an important role in their research and development work.
"MILAB is close to us, we have pre-booked two days a week and then you just have to come here and work," says Alla Timofeitchik, research engineer in Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry at SCA.
In the lab, SCA uses, among other things, the scanning electron microscope – a tool that provides in-depth insights into both structure and surface, especially when it comes to liner products.
"When we develop new materials and products, we use the equipment for both problem-solving and innovation. These instruments visualize what we need to know, which makes them invaluable in our process," she says.
Collaboration between research and industry
For SCA, it is not only the equipment that is valuable, but also the connection to the research environment at the university.
"It's good that we have access to the research that is going on here – at the same time as the researchers get insight into the industry's needs. It creates a mutual exchange," says Alla Timofeitchik.
The collaboration also means the support of the university's experts. In addition to hands-on training in handling the equipment, business users are given the opportunity to discuss and test how analyses can be carried out in the best way.
"There are key people here who are incredibly knowledgeable. Being able to bounce ideas and get advice on how to investigate different material aspects is a fantastic resource.
Simple, flexible and accessible
Using MILAB should be easy – something that SCA confirms.
"The booking system works really well and there is good flexibility if we need to change the time. This means that resources can be used efficiently," says Alla Timofeitchik.