The Composite Industry in Piteå is Growing as the World Transitions
Piteå has emerged as one of Sweden’s most prominent hubs for innovation and production in fiber composites. As the global transition to renewable energy and sustainable solutions accelerates, the city’s companies and research institutions are playing a central role in an expanding industry with strong future potential.
The Composite Industry in Piteå is Growing as the World Transitions
Piteå has emerged as one of Sweden’s most prominent hubs for innovation and production in fiber composites. As the global transition to renewable energy and sustainable solutions accelerates, the city’s companies and research institutions are playing a central role in an expanding industry with strong future potential.
Through the project Samverkansarena Fiberkomposit, led by Piteå Science Park and RISE, key players in the field have joined forces to foster collaboration, strengthen the innovation climate, and attract new business. The momentum is building, with global industrial giant Hitachi Energy driving much of the local growth. At the same time, future materials and methods are being developed at RISE’s testbed for sustainable composite manufacturing.
Rapid Growth
Hitachi Energy’s plant in Piteå produces composite components for power transmission—an essential part of the global energy transition. The factory has experienced a surge in demand, creating opportunities for both expansion and recruitment. Recently, Hitachi Energy acquired the plant with the goal of expanding operations and hiring 100 new employees.
– We’ve had a strong order intake that extends several years ahead. Over the past two years, we’ve doubled our number of employees in both production and administration. Recruitment needs will continue to grow,” says Thomas Wennberg, Head of Transformer Operations at Hitachi Energy Sweden.
The company now delivers products to markets across the globe, including Asia, North America, North Africa, and India.
RISE Invests in Research and Innovation
RISE, which had previously reduced staff, is now seeing renewed opportunities for growth. Increased demand for research and development in fiber composites has led the Piteå testbed to plan for the recruitment of additional lab technicians to meet industry needs.
– We see the composite industry expanding, especially in aerospace, defense, and the energy sector. This is a long-term trend, and it bodes well for the future, says David Engberg, Program Manager for the testbed at RISE.
The testbed focuses on developing sustainable manufacturing methods and materials to reduce the industry’s environmental impact—further strengthening Piteå’s position as a leading innovation environment.
Blade Solutions Targets Expansion
Blade Solutions, a company developing maintenance solutions for wind turbines, is also in a strong growth phase. While the company has faced challenges in recruiting skilled labor, it is now finding new pathways forward.
– There’s an endless amount of work in our sector. Our biggest challenge has been finding workers. We’ve now solved this through recruitment from Europe and will more than double our workforce by next year, says Greger Nilsson, CEO of Blade Solutions.
Collaboration for the Future
Samverkansarena Fiberkomposit is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Utveckla Norrbotten (Region Norrbotten), Piteå Municipality, and Sparbanken Nord. Since its launch, the initiative has gained strong momentum. The project aims to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem and attract new businesses over its three-year duration. Participants collaborate on skills development, shared equipment, joint business opportunities, experience exchange, and tackling shared challenges.
– For us, it’s essential to be part of the collaboration arena. We gain access to advanced expertise and equipment we don’t have in-house, while also sharing our own knowledge. This network makes it easier to solve recruitment challenges, says Thomas Wennberg of Hitachi Energy.
A Leading Role in the Global Energy Transition
With this strong momentum, Piteå is well-positioned to take a leading role in the global energy transition related to fiber composites. SWE-CIC continues to grow in step with the increasing demand for sustainable solutions.
– It’s fantastic to see the commitment and drive among our stakeholders. We have a long-term ambition to promote the region’s unique innovation environment and create solid foundations for new business establishments, says Sammy Pergament, Innovation Leader at Piteå Science Park.