The pioneer of Finnish biochemistry and nutrition research, Academician Artturi Ilmari Virtanen (1895-1973) is to date the only Finnish scientist awarded the Nobel Prize. He received the Chemistry Nobel in 1945 for his inventions and research in agriculture and nutrient chemistry, most especially the silage preservation method.
A.I. Virtanen was the manager of Valio Laboratory for almost 50 years, from 1921-1970. It was there he made his significant inventions, the effects of which consumers still enjoy every day. In the 1920's, he developed what became known as AIV butter salt and AIV silage, which created the basis for the high quality of Finnish milk, butter and emmental cheese.
Valio Laboratory and Valio's Chemistry Research Foundation were united into the Biochemical Research Institute in 1931. Dr. Virtanen was appointed Director. The Institute was located opposite Valio head office and was the center of biochemical research in Finland. It enjoyed an international reputation and was visited by leading researchers from around the world. It also trained a whole generation of Finnish researchers. Dr. Virtanen published more than one thousand scientific papers.
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