Alfa Laval brings global industry and academia together in Lund for ESS Innovation Day 2025 on neutron science applications

Alfa Laval brings global industry and academia together in Lund for ESS Innovation Day 2025 on neutron science applications

(IN BRIEF) Alfa Laval is hosting ESS Innovation Day 2025 on 19 August in Lund, Sweden, an event that unites research directors from leading companies and universities to explore how neutron science from the European Spallation Source (ESS) can help solve industrial challenges. Organized by the ESS High Level Industrial Forum, the event highlights practical applications of neutron technology and features a panel on building effective R&D teams, with representatives from AstraZeneca, Alfa Laval, and Tetra Pak. ESS Director General Helmut Schober stressed the importance of industry-science collaboration ahead of ESS’s 2027 launch, while Alfa Laval’s Julien Gennetier emphasized the role of neutron research in supporting industrial transitions.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUND, 20-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — On 19 August 2025, Alfa Laval will host ESS Innovation Day 2025 in Lund, Sweden, an event designed to deepen collaboration between industry and academia around the European Spallation Source (ESS). The annual gathering, now in its fourth edition, will bring together research leaders from global companies and universities to examine how neutron science can be applied to address industrial challenges and unlock new opportunities across multiple sectors.

ESS Innovation Day is organized by the ESS High Level Industrial Forum, an advisory body composed of senior industry leaders. The initiative reflects ESS’s commitment to building strong connections with both the scientific community and industrial stakeholders ahead of the research facility’s completion and scientific launch in 2027.

“By the end of 2027, ESS will have completed its construction project and launched its scientific program. To ensure readiness for this pivotal milestone and to fully harness the returns on our investment in this world-class research facility, we must intensify our engagement with future users—both within the scientific community and industry,” said Helmut Schober, Director General of ESS. “A close and collaborative dialogue is essential to ensuring that ESS’s unparalleled tools deliver the insights into materials needed to maintain European competitiveness and contribute to addressing the major challenges of our time.”

Alfa Laval sees the event as a vital step in bridging academic research with real-world applications. “At Alfa Laval, we believe that collaboration between industry and academia is key to solving complex challenges. ESS Innovation Day 2025 marks an important step in harnessing neutron science to drive practical, groundbreaking solutions needed to successfully manage the transition across many industry verticals,” commented Julien Gennetier, Vice President of Alfa Laval’s Energy Division.

This year’s program includes presentations showcasing practical industrial applications of neutrons and a high-level panel discussion on How to develop and deliver outstanding R&D teams. The panel features Professor Mene Pangalos, former Global Research Director at AstraZeneca; Emma Adlerton, Executive Vice President, Group Affairs at Alfa Laval; and Laurence Mott, former Global Research Director at Tetra Pak, who recently joined the ESS High Level Industrial Forum.

The Forum itself comprises leading figures from science and business, including Lars Börjesson, Professor at Chalmers University; Håkan Björklund, Ph.D. and Chairman of Asker Healthcare; Professor Mene Pangalos, former Global Research Director at AstraZeneca; Björn Savén, Chairman of Jarla Invest; Maria Strömme, Professor of Nanotechnology at Uppsala University; Johan Söderström, Executive Advisor to the CEO at Hitachi Energy; and Laurence Mott. Together, they provide strategic advice to ensure ESS becomes a valuable tool not only for scientists but also for the industries driving Europe’s competitiveness.

This is ESS

ESS is built around the world’s most powerful neutron source and enables multidisciplinary research. At ESS, researchers will be able to study samples down the anatomic and molecular level. Using neutrons, neutral particles found in the atomic nucleus, scientists can observe different materials and thus improve our understanding of how materials and processes work. Contact at ESS:  Pia Kinhult, Head of Industrial Relations ESS, +46 721 792339, pia.kinhult@ess.eu, www.europeanspallationsource.se

This is Alfa Laval  

The ability to make the most of what we have is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we’re innovating the industries that society depends on and creating lasting positive impact. Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of first-rate products in the areas of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. We’re set on helping billions of people to get the energy, food, and clean water they need. And, at the same time, we’re decarbonizing the marine fleet that is the backbone of global trade.

We pioneer technologies and solutions that enable our customers to unlock the true potential of resources. As our customers’ businesses grow stronger, the goal of a truly sustainable world edges closer. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Together, we’re pioneering positive impact.

Alfa Laval was founded 140 years ago, has customers in 100 countries, employs more than 22,300 people, and annual sales were SEK 66.9 billion (5.8 BEUR) in 2024. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

www.alfalaval.com

Media Contacts:

Johan Lundin
Head of Investor Relations, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 730 46 30 90
johan.lundin@alfalaval.com

Sara Helweg-Larsen
Head of Communication, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 730 35 80 98
sara.helweglarsen@alfalaval.com

SOURCE: Alfa Laval