Main strategy
Technology for a better society I am proud of SINTEF's vision, which both inspires and commits us. Our future will be characterised by new possibilities that will be created via a high level of knowledge and advanced technology, and through closer international cooperation on all fronts. But it will also be marked by difficult choices, and by major efforts to ensure that our development is sustainable. Our expectations of the solutions offered by the knowledge society are great. SINTEF has an important role to play, and a responsibility to assume. Our ambition is to make important contributions to sustainable development through our know-how, research and innovation, at both national and international level. This we intend to do in collaboration with our partners in the public and private sectors, and with the political authorities. In order to perform this task on behalf of the community, SINTEF has developed a value-based strategy as a platform for action The strategy has been anchored in the goals and values of the organisation via a comprehensive process of development, and it will be given life via our everyday activities. The strategy will act as a set of guidelines for our devel opment and priorities in the years to come and will help us to realise our vision in the course of our daily work. I am quite certain that we are capable of this. Working together, we are creating technology for a better society. Unni Steinsmo President of SINTEF
Contents Our vision Our role Our characteristics Our basic values Our main objective Focus areas and goals Strategy Customers Science People Ninety departments and 1900 staff from 50 different countries: Here, May-Britt Myhr, Managing Director of SINTEF Petroleum Research, is surrounded by colleagues from 12 countries. SINTEF's multinational milieu is a natural consequence of the fact that our customers are international, and that diversity adds value and creates a better work environment.
Our vision Technology for a better society Life-saving design: It was a warm meeting between fisherman Stian Furøy and senior scientist Ingunn Geving in spite of below-zero temperatures. Hardly surprising, perhaps, given that the survival suit he is wearing saved his life, and that it was designed by Ingunn and her colleagues at SINTEF Health Research.
Our role Creating value by applying knowledge, research and innovation Developing knowledge and technology that can be applied Working as an R&D partner with industry and the public sector Developing new companies Delivering solutions for sustainable development Building and operating research laboratories Providing premises for social debate and policy decisions Green gas-power: Nils A. Røkke is SINTEF's CO 2 General and leader of Europe's largest ever research project to develop technology for capture and storage of CO 2 produced by the energy sector. The aim is to halve the cost of capture and storage of CO 2 from coal- and gas-fired power stations.
Our characteristics We are a multidisciplinary research organization with world class expertise in specific fields. We cooperate closely with universities, the authorities and industry. We have the ability to see opportunities, develop and create successful solutions for our customers and partners. We combine the cultures of research and business. We take social responsibility and ensure that high ethical standards are applied to all of our activities. Comrades in innovation: Surgeon Ronald Mårvik (left) and research scientist Thomas Langø have given medicine a new window on the inside of the body; and the Norwegian health industry a new export product. Their collaboration has made SINTEF and St Olav's Hospital in Trondheim world leaders in keyhole surgery.
Our basic values Honesty Generosity Courage Solidarity Driven by care: Chief work safety representative Eva Nygelten, pictured here with six more of SINTEF's 42 safety representatives, speaks out on behalf of the community. Hers is a job that demands courage, both to make decisions and to grasp conflict situations. My job is to make sure that everyone at SINTEF feels that working here is a positive experience, says Eva.
Our main objective SINTEF is to be acknowledged as the leading independent contract research organization in Europe Maximum micro-scale efforts: This contented group works at SINTEF MiNaLab, which is one of SINTEF s biggest ever investments. The laboratory opened in 2004, and is among the most advanced micro- and nanotechnology research centres in Europe. Nanotechnology is the most rapidly growing field of research in the 21st century.
Our Focus areas and goals Customers Science People SINTEF is to contribute to knowledge generation, value creation and enhance its customers competitiveness. SINTEF is to be known for high-level scientific and professional quality and be an international leader in specific fields. SINTEF is to be an attractive place to work, offering unique prospects for people with the ability and drive to develop their potential. Piggy-bank: This wheel has saved the offshore sector millions of kroner and has won us customers from all over the world. It reveals problems that emerge in the course of multiphase transportation of oil and gas under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. Research scientist Eva Habetinova helped to develop the wheel technology.
Strategy: customers SINTEF is to contribute to knowledge generation, value creation and enhance its customers competitiveness SINTEF is to deliver solutions and create new business opportunities for its customers by using its innovative R&D partnership models. SINTEF is to work together with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the University of Oslo and its other research partners around the world to apply technology for a better society. SINTEF is to provide top expertise by drawing on the resources from the whole of the SINTEF Group. SINTEF is to increase international activities through marketing initiatives and offer customers top level R&D expertise in selected areas. SINTEF is to help its customers with regard to intellectual property rights by establishing companies, and selling or licensing technological innovation. Made of steel: Aker Kværner Cold Bending is enjoying international success with its cold-bending technology. When the company launched its special technique, however, no-one believed that it could be done. According to project manager Freddy Altø, the company would still have been arguing with the metallurgists if it had not been for the door-opener : a research report in blue covers, signed by SINTEF.
Strategy: science SINTEF is to be known for high-level scientific and professional quality and be an international leader in specific fields SINTEF is to develop robust, leading international scientific groups through strategic activities coordinated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the University of Oslo and its other research partners around the world SINTEF is to focus its strategic efforts in specific scientific areas where it has leading expertise, as well as in areas with clear market potential or with attractive benefits for society. SINTEF is to make its scientific and professional quality more widely known by expanding its participation in European research programmes, as well as in domestic and international initiatives SINTEF is to continue to develop its national laboratories and join leading international laboratory networks SINTEF is to publish its research work on a comparable level with other leading international contract research organizations SINTEF is to bring breakthroughs in science and technology to the market Sun-worshipper: Gabriella Maria Tranell leads one of several Gemini centres set up by SINTEF and NTNU in different areas of special effort. The aim of this one is to make progress together on solar cell materials, an area that could give us a new, modern Norwegian industry that would take over from oil. The centre is developing processes that turn sand into silica, on behalf of both the solar cell company REC, materials producer Elkem and other customers.
Strategy: people SINTEF is to be an attractive place to work offering unique prospects for those with the ability and drive to develop their potential SINTEF is to ensure that high ethical standards and awareness of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) are applied to all of its activities SINTEF is to offer a work environment in which its staff are respected and appreciated, and where they are given the opportunity to develop their abilities in cooperation with their colleagues SINTEF is to offer professional challenges and tasks that have a high value for its customers and society. SINTEF is to recruit and keep competent people in a global labour market SINTEF is to encourage team spirit, creativity and initiative in its scientific groups. SINTEF is to develop leadership that is explicit, inclusive and inspiring Future: Steffen Møller-Holst is a research manager at SINTEF and chairman of the government-appointed Hydrogen Committee. First and foremost, however, he is a father. Perhaps that is why he is so concerned about renewable energy sources and about hydrogen as an energy carrier. He often demonstrates hydrogen technology to schoolchildren. This is just as important as doing research, thinks Steffen.
20 08 SINTEF Media Photo: Geir@Mogen.no Print: GRØSET