Esa Laurinsilta

Esa Laurinsilta has a diverse work experience spanning several companies and industries. Starting in 1988, they worked as a Senior Technical Sales Representative at Cultor / Genencor Intl in Schaumburg, IL, USA, where they were responsible for key customer technical service operations for Cargill Inc. In 1992, they became the Sales Manager at Genencor International in Helsinki, managing starch processing enzymes sales in the Asia Pacific region. Esa then moved to Planmeca Oy in 1996, serving as an Export Manager, responsible for sales and distribution channels for dental and mammography equipment in Far East, Oceania, and South America. From 1997 to 2002, Esa worked at Kemira/Fine Chemicals BU as a Marketing & Sales Manager, handling customer projects and management responsibilities at Monsanto Inc. Moving on to Valio Ltd. in 2002, they initially became the Vice President of Technology Commercialisation & Intl Partnerships, overseeing technology and intellectual property commercialisation and developing international dairy partnerships. In 2007, they were promoted to Vice President of the Innovative Concepts & Technologies Business Unit, leading the commercialisation of Valio's R&D know-how globally. In 2011, Esa joined UPM - The Biofore Company as the Director of New Businesses & Development, steering the UPM Biofibrils new business program. Esa later transitioned to the role of Director of Strategic Partnerships, Technology, responsible for partnership and collaboration management and screening funding instruments for novel technology projects. In their most recent role at UPM, starting in 2020, Esa became the Director of Feedstock Operations, UPM Biofuels Growth Program, focusing on developing sustainable raw materials for biofuels production, specifically in Uruguay.

Esa Laurinsilta obtained a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolan during the years 1978 to 1985. Later, from 2001 to 2002, Esa pursued an eMBA degree in Business Administration at Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu.