Neste inventors nominated for European Investor Award

(From L to R) Neste’s Annika Malm, Blanka Toukoniitty, Jukka-Pekka Pasanen, Pia Bergström and Jukka Myllyoja

A group of Neste inventors have been nominated as finalists in the European Inventor Award 2023 for their work on converting waste into renewable solutions such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The finalists for the annual prize, awarded by the European Patent Office (EPC), have been selected from more than 600 candidates by an independent jury. The EPC said that the award honours innovators that have created “solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time”.

The inventors selected to represent Neste are Pia Bergström, senior specialist, Feedstock; Annika Malm, senior associate; Jukka Myllyoja, R&D fellow; Jukka-Pekka Pasanen, senior associate and Blanka Toukoniitty, technical support lead, Feedstock Growth.

“It is an honour for all Neste’s inventors and the entire company to be recognised by the European innovation community,” said Lars Peter Lindfors, executive vice president, Innovation, Neste. “The inventions regarding renewable solutions and related technologies have enabled Neste to transform from a regional oil refiner towards becoming a global leader in renewable and circular solutions.”

Around a quarter of all Neste’s staff work within its innovation, research, product development and engineering divisions, with the company having been granted over 2,000 patents to date. Neste said one of its biggest achievements yet was its patented NEXBT technology, which allows the Finnish fuel producer to turn fats and oils into fuel.

“The recognition by the EPC is a result of our people’s innovativeness, their persistent work and the high quality of our patent portfolio,” said Roberto Castagno, Head of Intellectual Property Rights, Neste. Replacing fossil oil with renewable and recycled raw materials helps us drive our growth, reduce crude oil dependency and combat climate change, he added.

The winners will be announced on July 4th.