Artturi Ilmari Virtanen laid the foundations for Valio research and product development
Nobel laureate Artturi Ilmari Virtanen (1895–1973) was a long-time Director of the Valio Laboratory and the inspiration behind Valio’s science-based research tradition. A.I. Virtanen recieved Nobel Prize in Chemistry on December 10th 1945 from the king Kustaa V Adolf.
Development work benefiting the whole nation
Dr Virtanen was a man of immense importance to the Finnish science community. He is considered the father of Finnish biochemistry and contributed a great deal to the improvement of the population’s nutrition. Dr Virtanen was also the first President of the Academy of Finland and a professor at two different universities.
The inventions that earned Artturi Ilmari Virtanen the Nobel Prize in Chemistry − AIV silage and AIV salt − laid the foundations for top quality Finnish feed, milk and butter. The new method of feed storage sustained superior Valio milk throughout the year, while AIV butter salt helped Valio craft better quality butter than its competitors for decades.
These innovations support Valio’s first-class products to this day.
Valio’s Management Board acted with great conviction in establishing the Valio Laboratory in 1913: “Only a country whose entire economy is based on science can reach and maintain first place in the economic battle between nations.” Discover more about Valio’s history.
