Research and innovations programs
Jernkontoret leads and participates in long-term innovation programs that bring together industry, higher education and other stakeholders to foster research and innovation. Through these programs new knowledge, technology and solutions are developed that enhance the competitiveness of the metallurgical industries while contributing to greater societal resilience.
Jernkontoret has been running several innovation programs. These are long-term investments where government agencies fund and organise research and innovation within an area adjudged to be of strategic importance for Sweden.
The idea is for companies, universities, research institutes, the public sector and even civil society work together over a longer period to develop new technology, new working methods and sometimes even whole systems or value chains.
Since 2024, Jernkontoret, together with other interested parties, is leading the research program Swedish Metals & Minerals. This program is one part of Sweden’s strategic innovation initiative for the 2030’s, Impact Innovation. This is an effort that encompasses the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas, Vinnova and Sweden’s mining and metallurgical industry.
In 2026 the strategic innovation program Metallic Materials closed after twelve years of activity. Metallic Materials brought together Sweden’s metal industries: steel, aluminium, cemented carbide, steel castings, cast iron and cast non-ferrous metals. It was one of the first Swedish innovation areas to become a strategic innovation program.