R&D activity is run with the support of different resources, among which businesses contribute a large share. In Kujawsko-Pomorskie, 36,1% of the region’s expenditures come from the national Budget (57,7% in Poland overall), and 58,6% from businesses (26% in Poland overall). Polish Academy of Sciences centres, R&D units as well as international organisations and foreign institutions represent a relatively small participation in the expenditures.

Increasing availability to education on all levels as well as obtaining and improving the populations’ qualifications according to the needs of the labour market is essential to the region.

Higher education

Two academic centres operate in the region, with an average potential in the field of education (measured by the number of places and fields of studies, and by the level of education personnel): the Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK), the largest in Northern Poland, is located in Toruń. University of Technology and Life Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Academy of Music and Medical College of the Nicolaus Copernicus University are located in Bydgoszcz.

Apart from Warsaw, a dynamic development of various higher education academic centres has been taking place in Poland in the last few years, in particular in non-resident university branches and centres.

The universities run R&D and implementation activities in parallel with teaching. R&D activity, regional and historical studies in particular, are run also by scientific societies and socio-cultural associations, among them the scientific societies in Toruń, Bydgoszcz and Włocławek as well as regional societies.

R&D activity

Various research and implementation centres operating in the structure of the Polish Academy of Sciences are also present in the region.

Several Polish Academy of Sciences centres have their head offices in Toruń: the Astrophysics Laboratory of the N. Copernicus Centre for Astronomy, the Laboratory of Geomorphology and Hydrology of Lowlands at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Development, and also the Laboratory of Tourist Development at the Institute for Tourism, the Propulsion Control Devices Research and Development Centre, the Metalchem Plastic Processing Institute. The Bakery Industry Research Centre, the Food Industry Biotechnology Institute, the Technical Implementation Institute, the Potato Institute, the Veterinary Institute Department run a similar activity in Bydgoszcz.

The centres working in the structure of institutes related to agriculture fulfil an important role in the region, agricultural research stations, plant varieties evaluation (Kowróz, in the Toruń powiat, Głodowo in the Lipno powiat, Głębokie and Polanowice in the Inowrocław powiat, Sobiejuchy in the Żnin powiat, Chrząstkowo in the Nakło powiat), research departments of the Zootechnics Institute (for example in Mełno in the Grudziądz powiat, in Kołuda Wielka in the Inowrocław powiat), the agricultural consultancy centres in Minikowo, Zarzeczewo and Przysiek near Toruń. Some regional production plants also run their own R&D activity, such as: Anwil S.A. in Włocławek, the Toruń Plaster Materials Factories (Toruńskie Zakłady Materiałów Opatrunkowych), Telefonika Kabel in Bydgoszcz and Lucent Technologies in Bydgoszcz.

The financing of innovation activity in the industry of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region relies mainly on personal financial means and bank credits, means coming from other sources have inferior influence.

The tendency by businessmen to undertake innovation activity is an element of the innovation potential of the region. The main factors having an influence on innovation are:

  • The level and training of local businessmen, as well as their professional experience
  • A system of financial incentives for taking risks in economy
  • A system of diffusion of scientific achievements into economy

Source:
 Regional Innovation Strategy of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region to the year 2015 

TORUŃ

BYDGOSZCZ

WŁOCŁAWEK

GRUDZIĄDZ

  • Engineering College of Poznań - distant didactic centre (Politechnika Poznańska-zamiejscowy ośrodek dydaktyfczny)

INOWROCŁAW

BRODNICA

ŚWIECIE

TUCHOLA 

Renewable energy sources

The possibility to use environment-friendly energy sources is a chance for the region to increase energy security and creates the opportunity to supply energy to regions with scarce infrastructure in this field. The raising of new investments in the field of renewable energy sources can also lead to a decrease of CO2 as well as affect energy saving and increase energy efficiency (in compliance with the directive by the European Parliament and Council from 2009 relative to the promotion of renewable energy use, forming part of the Climate and Energy Package, Poland committed itself to generate 15% of its energy from renewable sources before the year 2020).

The natural potential of the region presents convenient conditions for the development of renewable energy. 80% of the region of Kuyavia and Pomerania is located in the basin of the Vistula river. The Włocławek power plant, which has a power of 162 MW, the dam on the Koronowo Reservoir, the Smukała and Tryszczyn dams on the Brda river and the Gródek and Żur dams on the Wda river have a considerable importance for energy in the region.

DYNAMICS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION
As for the dynamics of renewable energy development, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region has the biggest number of wind turbines in Poland. According to a report by the Energy Regulation Office, published in July 2010, 136 wind turbines (with a combined power of 142.899 MW) out of the 347 plants of this kind (with a combined power of 1005.597 MW) operating in Poland are located in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region. A clear concentration of turbines can be observed in the powiats (counties) of Inowrocław (32 installations), Radziejów (25), Włocławek (19), and Aleksandrów Kujawski (15).
According to the data from the Energy Regulation Office dated the 30 June 2010, there are 54 hydroelectric power stations altogether in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region (combined power of 211.034 MW), which gives the region the 5th position in the country. Apart from this, the region has the 3rd position in Poland regarding the number of biogas plants – 11 plants of this kind are operating in the region (combined power 1.782 MW).   
 
TYPES AND NUMBER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE REGION

Source: Own work by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Investor’s Assistance Office, based on the “Map of renewable energy sources”by the Energy Regulation Office, 30.03.2016 r.
Energy Regulatory Office here

BPO sector

According to the report on the perspectives of the BPO sector in Poland ("O perspektywach sektora BPO w Polsce") published in 2008 by Colliers International, Bydgoszcz and Toruń, as the two largest cities in the region, began to stand out against their well-established polish competitors as global outsourcing and offshore service centres. Both cities make an attractive location for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Share Service Centre (SSC) type international investments.

According to the authors of the report, Bydgoszcz and Toruń are characterised by a big potential (because of personnel availability and business infrastructure among other things), have a chance of becoming major centres in the business service sector and deserved their appellation as “rising stars”.

Investment climate in Bydgoszcz and Toruń for BPO/SSC type services:

  • Strategic location in the centre of the country, on the intersection of major road and railway communication lines, with access to Bydgoszcz International Airport, as well as landing fields and civil airfields in both cities and their surrounding areas.
  • Toruń and Bydgoszcz are two major industry, business, science, culture, art and R&D centres, and the seat of local authorities and key business organisations,
  • A big concentration of universities in the Bydgoszcz-Toruń agglomeration, including prestigious Central Poland colleges, which train multi-lingual specialists in strategic areas for the BPO sector, such as: computer science, telecommunications, electronics, finance, law, marketing, pharmacy, biotechnology etc.
  • Convenient conditions for undertaking clinical research and R&D activity, thanks to the possibility to cooperate with the local colleges and scientific research units,
  • Work expenses among the lowest in the country: in the first trimester of 2010, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region was located on the 13th position out of the 16 polish regions, in terms of average gross salary.
  • Good availability of telecommunications and teleinformatic infrastructure
  • Dynamic development in the market of modern office surface, appropriate for BPO type activity
  • Local authorities policies oriented towards the creation of convenient conditions for the functioning of the BPO sector in the region
  • The existence of the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone on the territory of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region.
  • Investment incentives.

Chemical sector

A leading role of a chemical industry in the region:

  • 4th rank in Poland when concerning production of azote fertilizers (15%)
  • an 11% share of a value of domestic production soldis chemical industryo
  • region generated 1/5 of a value of domestic production sold of the manufacture of paper and pulp
  • Companies’ innovations:· big amount of patents and protection certificates for usable labels
  • Notable amount of companies existing in this branch:
    • ANWIL S.A., Włocławek (Anwil Manufacturing Plants)
    • Inowrocławskie Kopalnie Soli SOLINO S.A., Inowrocław
    • ELANA S.A., Toruń
    • KEMIRA Świecie Sp. z o.o., Świecie n/Wisłą
    • LAFARGE, Cement Production Plant Kujawy, Bielawy near Barcin
    • "NITRO-CHEM" S.A. Chemical Plant, Bydgoszcz
    • Inowrocławskie Zakłady Chemiczne SODA POLSKA CIECH- SODA MĄTWY S.A., (Inowrocław Polish Sode Ciech)
    • Janikowskie Zakłady Sodowe JANIKOSODA S.A, Janikowo
    • ACP Polska Sp. z o.o., Włocławek
    • SOLVAY, Rhodia Polyamide Polska (HDS Silica Production Plant), Włocławek
    • Mondi Packaging Paper Świecie S.A., Świecie n/Vistula
    • Indorama Ventures Poland, Włocławek
    • Plastica sp. z o.o., Frydrychowo n. Kowalewo Pomorskie
    • Hanplast sp. z o.o., Bydgoszcz
    • Brügmann sp. z o.o., Włocławek
    • Supravis Group S.A., Bydgoszcz
    • WIP sp. z o.o., Aleksandrów Kujawski
  • Low production costs: Average salary in chemical industry lower than national average
  • Qualified labour force: High schools with chemical faculties (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz)
  • R&D: Instytut Inżynierii Materiałów Polimerowych i Barwników in  Toruń, Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry (PIPC) from kujawsko-pomorskie region

Electro-mechanical sector

  • Notable share in export (approximately 20%)
  • Companies:
    • Apator S.A, Toruń
    • PESA Bydgoszcz SA
    • Przedsiębiorstwo Hydrauliki Siłowej HYDROTOR SA w Tucholi
    • Ośrodek Badawczo Rozwojowy Urządzeń Sterowania Napędów w Toruniu
    • Zakład Mechaniczny ZNTK SKRAW-MECH Sp. z o.o. w Bydgoszczy
    • Zakład Produkcyjno-Usługowy EKOPARTNER Sp. z o.o. w Bydgoszczy
    • TOWIMOR S.A. w Toruniu
    • Bydgoskie Zakłady Elektromechaniczne BELMA S.A. w Bydgoszczy
    • Elektromontaż-Toruń Sp. z o.o. w Toruniu
    • Fabryka Obrabiarek do Drewna FOD Sp. z o.o. w Bydgoszczy
    • FAMOR SA w Bydgoszczy
    • HYDRO-VACUUM S.A. w Grudziądzu
    • INOFAMA S.A. w Inowrocławiu
    • SCLICAN Sp. z o. o. w Bydgoszczy
    • PIAP-OBRUSN w Toruniu
  • High schools with electro-technical faculties:
    • University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz,
    • Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń,
    • Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz
  • R&D:
    • Centre for Quantum Optics - Nicolaus Copernicus Univeristy in Toruń
    • Regional Innovative Centre in Bydgoszcz (Regionalne Centrum Innowacyjności, Bydgoszcz)
    • Institutions of Polish Academy of Sciences (Placówki Polskiej Akademii Nauk)
  • Incentives for investors:
    • Co-fianincing of investment
    • Tax real estate
    • Financing of new work places

Food processing sector

R&D

  • University of Technology and Agriculture in Bydgoszcz:
    • Zootechnics Faculty
    • Agricultural Faculty
    • Specialisation: Technology of food and human dieting feeding
  • Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń:
    • Biology Faculty
  • Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz:
    • Biology and Environment Protection Institute
    • Environment Mechanics and Applied Computer Science Institute

Companies:

  • Krajowa Spółka Cukrowa S.A.( National Sugar Manufacturing Company), Toruń
  • Nord Zucker Polska, Chełmża
  • CEREAL PARTNERS POLAND TORUŃ-PACIFIC Sp. z o. o., Toruń
  • Orkla International, Włocławek
  • Zakłady Przetwórstwa Cykoria S.A., Wierzchosławice n. Gniewkowo
  • Frosta sp. z o.o., Bydgoszcz
  • „Kopernik" S.A., Toruń
  • JUTRZENKA Colian sp. z o.o., Bydgoszcz
  • Zakłady Tłuszczowe Kruszwica (Rapeseed Oil and Oil Products Manufacturing Plants) S.A., Kruszwica
  • Drobex sp. z o.o., Solec Kujawski
  • Zakłady Mięsne POLMEAT Sp. z o.o., Brodnica
  • Zakłady Mięsne Kier, Chełmno
  • Zakłady Mięsne Nove, Nowe
  • Spółdzielnia Mleczarska Rotr (Dairy Cooperative Rotr), Rypin
  • Proszkownia Mleka (Milk Powdering Facility) sp. z o.o, Piotrków Kujawski.
  • Cargill Poland Sp. z o.o., Chełmno

A leading role in food processing branch:

  • Leading position in sugar production
  • Notable share in oil production (19,7% in all national production)
  • Existing well known brands- oil from Kruszwica, gingerbreads from Fabryka Cukiernicza "Kopernik"
  • Over agriculture production, mainly within flora oil and cereal

Largest companies in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region

Source: own work based on the list of top 2000 by "Rzeczpospolita" daily of 2015

Gross domestic product per capita 2017 Gross domestic product per capita 2017

Source: https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/BDL/start