Environmental efficiency

Reducing the environmental footprint of the value chain

According to an estimate, a four percent environmental impact arises from our supply chain when we purchase manufactured goods and services from our suppliers and transport them to Valmet’s sites, while less than one percent arises from our own operations. It is also estimated that around 95% of the environmental impacts of Valmet’s entire value chain are emitted when our solutions are being used for production.

We actively enhance environmental efficiency in our value chain: We do more with less. To minimize environmental impacts in our supply chain, we have a global supplier sustainability management process and engagement program. For our own operations, we have an Environmental Program in place to accelerate efficiency gains. To improve efficiency during the use phase of our technology at customers’ operations, Valmet has technology vision 2030, R&D processes and guidelines in place.

Environmental program speeding up progress in Valmet’s own operations

To manage and improve environmental efficiency in our own operations, we have had an environmental program in place since 2009, with ambitious targets for reducing energy, water, and waste. In 2022, we updated the targets and baselines of the program to 2030.

We are actively replacing fossil fuels with renewables, purchasing CO₂-free electricity and district heat, and implementing efficiency improvements in our facilities related to energy efficiency such as LED lighting upgrades, the installation of motion sensors, improving building insulation and new ventilation systems. We have also included environmental efficiency requirements in our real estate guidelines for new facilities and renovations.  In addition, we enhance digital tools, develop remote working habits and promote low-carbon commuting.

To support the cascading of the global program into local actions, we aim for 80 percent of our employees to be working in locations certified to the ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system by 2025.

Minimizing environmental impacts of solutions

Valmet works actively to develop new technologies and to improve the energy efficiency of its current offering. Our process technology, automation and services are designed to improve raw material, energy, water and chemical efficiency. As part of our Climate Program we aim at enabling 100 percent carbon neutral production for all our pulp and paper customers by developing new process technologies by 2030. We are also improving the energy efficiency of our current offering by 20 percent.

Valmet has a long track record in providing solutions that convert biomass into renewable energy and recyclable products such as pulp, paper, board and tissue. We have also developed and commercialized new biomass conversion technologies for producing new bio-based end products such as biogas, biofuels and biomaterials.

We have a wide range of solutions that require less energy, water and raw materials compared to conventional technologies and enable flexibility in fuel source and raw material selection. Our comprehensive services and automation offering help to maximize the environmental efficiency of the technologies and ensures operational safety and reliability over the entire lifetime of the plant.

Since Valmet’s solutions are targeted at industrial processes such as pulp, paper and energy production, environmental improvements can to a great extent be achieved by optimizing the efficiency of processes, by utilizing air pollution control technologies, and by replacing fossil fuels and materials with renewable alternatives.

Environmental efficiency plays a key role in the innovation process

Customer needs and global megatrends, such as pursuing a more resource-efficient and cleaner world, are driving our ambitious research and development work.

Valmet’s research and development is integrated into sales processes, and our sales teams also regularly participates in research and development meetings. All new product innovations are discussed and evaluated by business management to decide which projects are further developed.

With our research and technology development work, we aim to ensure an advanced and competitive offering of process technologies, automation and services for our current and future customers, enhance the efficiency of raw materials, water and energy, promote the use of renewable raw materials and reduce emissions.

Environmental program for own operations