Susanne Norgren: A Trailblazer in Innovation Receives Prestigious Award

Susanne Norgren, the brilliant mind behind numerous groundbreaking tools produced by Sandvik, has been recognized for her exceptional ability to find innovative solutions to material challenges.

Her invaluable contributions have earned her the esteemed Gunnar Wallquist Bergsmedalj, a highly prestigious award in the field.

With her deep expertise in combining theoretical calculations with practical experiments, Norgren has revolutionized technologies such as Sandvik cemented carbides and PowerCarbide®, enhancing drilling operations, improving safety, and advancing rock technology.

Driving Innovation through Research and Collaboration: Norgren’s journey to success has been characterized by her tireless dedication to tackling technical problems and developing materials of the future.

Her relentless pursuit of innovative solutions has resulted in over a hundred patents bearing her name. However, Norgren emphasizes that the true value lies in transforming ideas and solutions into market-ready products, an achievement that distinguishes Sandvik as a leading industry player.

She attributes her success to the spirit of collaboration within Sandvik, highlighting the importance of trust and open discussions that foster creativity and facilitate the discovery of new angles and solutions.

The Intersection of Academia and Industry: Norgren’s academic background has played a crucial role in her ability to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application.

With degrees in material design from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and a doctorate in Material Science and Metallurgy, she combines her practical expertise with academic pursuits.

Norgren also holds an adjunct professorship in Production and Materials Engineering at Lund University, where she dedicates a portion of her time to teaching, research, and supervising doctorates.

She firmly believes in the mutually beneficial relationship between academia and industry, recognizing the need for collaboration to advance knowledge, understanding, and innovation.

Recognition and Inspiration: In a remarkable milestone for gender diversity in the field, Susanne Norgren is set to become the first woman to receive the Professor Gunnar Wallquist’s Mining and Materials Medal, a recognition bestowed only once every decade.

Expressing her humility and gratitude, Norgren hopes that this achievement will inspire more women to join the industry. She acknowledges the unwavering support she has received throughout her career, emphasizing that her accomplishments would not have been possible without the guidance and collaboration of her colleagues.

“I have fantastic colleagues with whom I can discuss any difficult technical problem and exchange ideas,” she says. “Most important is to build trust.

You can only get that free discussion that leads to new solutions when everyone in a team feels safe. It also makes the job so much more fun.”

Susanne Norgren’s exceptional abilities and unwavering commitment to innovation have earned her the prestigious Gunnar Wallquist Bergsmedalj.

Her expertise in combining theoretical knowledge with practical experimentation has revolutionized the industry, resulting in numerous patents and cutting-edge technologies.

“To keep our competitive edge, we need to focus on the future, but no matter how clever the solutions we present, to be of use, they need to fit the industrial and societal needs.

The industry-academia ecosystem is essential for us as a company as it enables us to rephrase our queries to better understand the underlying research question. Increased knowledge and understanding from a purely scientific angle benefits not only us but also the greater community,” she says.

Through her collaborative approach and dedication to transforming ideas into tangible solutions, Norgren has cemented Sandvik’s position as a pioneering company.

As she becomes the first woman to receive the Mining and Materials Medal, Norgren serves as an inspiration to aspiring innovators and a testament to the power of collaboration and perseverance in achieving groundbreaking success.