Liisa Hurme Appointed Chairman of the Board of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland
The autumn meeting of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, held on Tuesday, the 26th of November, elected a new board for 2025. Liisa Hurme, President and CEO of Orion, was chosen as the chairman.
Hurme holds a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Helsinki. She has worked at Orion since 1999 and assumed the role of President and CEO in November 2022. Prior to her current position, she held leadership roles in the company’s proprietary pharmaceuticals, specialty products, and global operations.
– I am grateful for this responsibility. The chemical industry is Finland’s second-largest export sector, playing a significant role in ensuring the country’s well-being and success, says Hurme.
The new chairman expressed her gratitude to the Federation’s Managing Director Mika Aalto and the outgoing chairman Markku Korvenranta for their efforts, which have laid a strong foundation for her upcoming term.
– The chemical industry has already demonstrated its capacity for renewal, collaboration, and effective networking.
Aalto warmly welcomes Hurme to her new role.
– Liisa is a seasoned professional in the chemical industry with a strong vision for leading the sector to future success. She is already familiar with our board’s work, which positions her well for the responsibilities ahead. At the same time, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Markku for his two-term leadership.
“An Export Sector of Growing Importance in the Future”
Hurme highlights the strengths of Finland’s chemical industry, emphasizing its diversity and versatile corporate structure. The sector comprises several hundred companies of various sizes across different fields.
– The chemical industry will become an even more important export sector for Finland in the future. I see significant growth potential in areas such as traditional chemicals, the pharmaceutical industry, as well as hydrogen and battery technologies. Current development trends, including the green transition, provide a solid foundation for the industry’s growth, says Hurme.
– Growth requires closer cooperation between different stakeholders. Here in Finland, we need to identify growth opportunities collectively and work together to ensure they are realized. As a small country, Finland has the advantage of being agile and can bring all key players together to achieve common goals.
Hurme notes that traditional industries must adapt and reassess their position in relation to competitors.
– We are competing globally against large Asian countries like China and India, as well as the USA. We must figure out how to stay competitive, and without collaboration, this won’t be possible.
