Juuso Konttinen joined Stora Enso in January 2023 to head the Lignode® business. Let’s hear where he comes from and how he sees the future.
Juuso, you have more than 20 years of experience in global B2B materials businesses in the forest industry context. Can you tell us about yourself and what made you join the Lignode® team at Stora Enso?
As you said, I have a long experience in the industry, both in established large-scale businesses and in building and commercialising new businesses. Already since my studies in forest products technologies and business, I have had a passion for innovation and being a part of building a future on renewable materials. I feel like my new job in leading the development of our renewable battery material is a unique opportunity to contribute to this goal.
What inspires you?
I am very much inspired by all the new colleagues I have met within Stora Enso, both in the Lignode® team and in other parts of the company in different countries. We have so many talented people who have a tremendous amount of knowledge and who are great people to work with! It is hugely motivating to have an opportunity to learn something new every day.
Lignode® is a bio-based material that can replace mined or synthetic graphite in battery anodes. Why do you think it’s an attractive material for battery makers?
As the battery market is expected to grow tenfold in the next ten years, we need new ground-breaking battery technologies to sustainably cover the needs of the electrified future. Lignode® by Stora Enso is made from a material that grows back, trees, and is locally produced in Europe. The trees that are used for making Lignode® are traceable to their forests of origin. Lignode® also offers competitive benefits such as good performance in low temperatures and it allows quick charging and discharging of a battery. I believe that all these features are attractive for battery producers who today need to use either mined or fossil-based finite materials for making anodes for batteries.
How do you see that Lignode® can change the future?
With Lignode®, the future of batteries will become increasingly more bio-based. By replacing fossil-based and other non-renewable products, we can do our share in securing a sustainable future also for our children and their children. This ambition is truly inspiring!
