SGID Strengthens Ties in Rugao, China

In October 2024, the Stockholm Green Innovation District (SGID), hosted the 2024 Low Carbon Sustainable Innovation Conference in Rugao, China. The event was organized in collaboration with Jiangsu Gaokai Investment Development Group Co., Ltd and the Sino-Sweden (Rugao) Intelligent Manufacturing Cooperation Innovation Park.

Östen Ekengren, CEO of SGID, delivered a keynote presentation on topics such as eco-governance, citizen engagement, waste management, water solutions, digital twins, and energy systems. He also extended an open invitation to collaborate with SGID, sparking significant interest among attendees.

Ekengren later joined a panel discussion moderated by Jenny Cato from Scania. Other Swedish participants included representatives from Avfall Sverige, Purac, IVL, Norden Estates, SKF, and Scania.

Strengthening Collaboration Between Sweden and China
Scania is currently building a major truck factory in Rugao, which, at full capacity, will produce 50,000 trucks annually. Meanwhile, IVL has successfully completed a six-month biogas pilot project in the city. Based on these results, Rugao is preparing to construct a full-scale biogas facility that will convert sludge and organic waste into energy. The biogas is planned to power the factory’s paint shop, replacing natural gas and reducing CO2 emissions by 300,000 tons over 10 years.

As part of this growing collaboration, Rugao’s mayor visited Sweden in August 2024 to further strengthen ties between the two regions.