On October 24-25, the Forest 4.0 Conference brought together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers from Sweden and Lithuania. The event became an invaluable platform to discuss interdisciplinary research in forestry, computer and information sciences, and engineering. Together, we explored how research and innovation can boost business competitiveness in forestry by using data to generate insights, create value, and drive new business models in a circular economy.
Day One: Visionary Opening
The conference began with inspiring opening remarks from notable figures such as Peter Aronsson, Vice-Chancellor Linnaeus University, Maria Arnholm, Governor of Kronoberg county, Thomas Wilsson, Chairperson of the Interior Cluster Sweden, Linas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Ambassador in Sweden, Lena Wibroe, Deputy Chair of the Municipal Assembly. Setting a forward-thinking tone, they emphasized the critical role of international collaboration in advancing forestry practices with innovations and cutting-edge technologies.
Key Insights from Prominent Academics and Industry Leaders
During the conference, Tomas Krilavičius, a professor at Vytautas Magnus University, highlighted the project’s evolution from a concept to an impactful collaboration uniting industry, academia, and a digital innovation hub, AgriFood Lithuania, that disseminates information and brings everyone together. Forest 4.0 harnesses specialised AI tools to monitor and make data-driven decisions for forest management, aiming to benefit future generations. In the future, the project aims to construct a forest tower for enhanced collaboration. While still in its early stages, it shows great promise and has already yielded encouraging results.
Professor Johan Fransson from Linnaeus University discussed advanced methods for collecting forest data and monitoring forest health using drones equipped with LiDAR technology. These drones capture 3D images of trees, revealing photosynthetically active areas, while ground sensors and a weather tower track environmental conditions. This detailed approach provides a comprehensive view of the forest, down to the quality of individual trees.
Professor Arianit Kurti from Linnaeus University emphasized the rising role of data in modern forestry. Forest 4.0, he explained, gathers valuable information that businesses can leverage to drive innovation, and this interconnected relationship between forestry data and business presents significant opportunities for growth in the sector.
Erik Eklund, Digital Market Manager at Södra, shared insights into Södra’s unique role in the forestry sector. Despite not owning any forests, Södra collaborates closely with local forest owners, purchasing wood to supply various markets based on demand. Eklund, a direct inheritor of this business model, explained that Södra was founded to address an initial wood surplus, creating a sustainable community-based approach where forest owners benefit from fair, market-based rewards.
Augustas Alešiūnas, AgTech Business Angel and owner of ART21, highlighted the potential of digital innovation to benefit forestry. He recounted ART21’s evolution from a startup with limited funding to a leader in forest technology. The company’s innovations now monitor forest health, prevent wildfires, and track wildlife across continents, creating a lasting impact through precision forestry and ensuring that Forest 4.0 is a premier platform for validating and commercializing forest tech.
Carsten Sørensen, professor at Copenhagen Business School and Linnaeus University, examined how innovation is transforming the forestry sector. He highlighted that emerging technologies are reshaping traditional business models, promoting efficiency and sustainable resource management. Sørensen emphasized the need for businesses to adapt to these advancements, as they not only enhance productivity but also create new market opportunities that support a sustainable future in forestry.
In the final keynote speech, Professor Thomas K. Bader from Linnaeus University discussed the unpredictable future of technology and its impact on innovation in forestry. He stressed the need for continuous innovation as digitization transforms value processes and identified key technologies like 5G, IoT, AI, and blockchain that are reshaping industries. Bader highlighted the shift from consumer-facing (B2C) to business-to-business (B2B) solutions and emphasized the emergence of value ecosystems that prioritize collaboration. He also underscored the importance of experimentation to fully leverage the potential of these technologies.
On the industry panel moderated by Anna Rosenqvist, CEO of Interior Cluster Sweden, key stakeholders – Joachim Lindqvist, Development and Innovation Manager at IKEA of Sweden; Stefan Braunias, Lean Manager at Södra; Donatas Dailidė, Chairman and CEO at DOJUS Group; and Ingrida Grikpėdienė, CEO at JSC VMG Wood Invest – discussed the importance of research and innovation for business competitiveness.
This knowledge-rich day concluded with a joint visit to the Lnu wood labs, where speakers and participants reflected on the insights shared and the collaborative paths forward.
Second Day: Project Meeting and Collaborative Planning
The second day of the Forest 4.0 Conference focused on collaborative planning and project development. Moderated by Professor Tomas Krilavičius from Vytautas Magnus University, the day began with an introduction to the Forest 4.0 Center of Excellence. Participants discussed the conference outcomes and formulated an action plan moving forward on work packages (WP) concerning governance, scientific excellence, and education, with a particular emphasis on establishing research groups and developing a knowledge management system.
In the afternoon sessions, they concentrated more on business model implementation and innovation support services, where strategies were brainstormed to enhance marketing, business development, and technology transfer initiatives. The day wrapped up with discussions on dissemination plans and future cooperation, reinforcing the collaborative spirit essential for advancing the Forest 4.0 project.
Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook
The Forest 4.0 Conference marked a pivotal moment for the forestry sector, illustrating the immense potential of technology to enhance sustainability and economic value. As the sector continues to evolve, the partnerships and insights formed during this event will undoubtedly impact future strategies and innovations in forestry monitoring worldwide.