Tampere University wins €292,000 to develop protein-based rare earth extraction

Tampere University will use a €292,000 grant from the Alfred Kordelin Foundation's Great Cultural Projects fund to develop protein-based methods for exploiting domestic rare earth metal sources, Aamulehti reports.

Researchers will adapt naturally occurring proteins that selectively bind specific rare earth elements. The aim is to make Finnish sources usable for critical metals in electronics and renewable energy. "The need for new solutions is immediate in the changing global situation," said Ville Santala, professor of biotechnology at Tampere University. Finland and Europe depend on foreign supplies of metals such as neodymium and dysprosium, whose production raises major environmental concerns.

The foundation awarded €630,000 in total to three projects. ODDfest received €200,000 for a two-year push to become a national flagship for the creative economy. Founder Ronny Eriksson said the goal is to create "a permanent platform, a kind of Slush for the creative industries" that brings creators, companies, funders and public-sector actors together. Red Nose Company was granted €138,000 to stage a family musical premiere at the Helsinki Festival in summer 2027; it plans to tour European city festivals and produce a smaller theatre version.

Foundation chair Mikko Kosonen said, "We support projects whose impacts are measurable and concrete."