FOCUS ON MATERIALS
A Circle Green stainless-steel coil .
make products that can be inherited from one generation to another . We fight against the throwaway culture by making products that can be given from one user to another . Long-lasting design is also a better option financially . No one wants to throw away their favourite pan !” Kati Ihamäki , Vice President , Sustainability , Fiskars Group , explained in a previously published article .
Material issues
Fiskars Group is keen to integrate circularity into its innovation process and to find new ways to keep the products in circulation for as long as possible . The company has set ambitious targets to steer its activities to further utilise the potential it sees in the circular economy . Fiskars Group ’ s brands ’ recycled material product ranges have been popular .
Through experimenting with alternative and recycled materials , it has launched the Iittala 100 % recycled glass collection and Fiskars ReNew recycled scissors . In addition to these dedicated series , it also utilises recycled materials in some of its other products and is continuously searching for more opportunities in this area .
“ To create sustainable growth , we are working to deepen our understanding of the circular economy , explore new solutions and develop sustainable materials . In 2021 , we continued to increase the circular characteristics of our products and materials , and are focused on minimising waste . Our business areas , new product design teams and supply chain organization have closely collaborated with each other and with our
partners to find more sustainable solutions for our activities ,” Fiskars Group commented on its website .
It has already found several interesting and sustainable materials for further development and will continue experimenting with new materials . It has successfully created complete product lines that solely utilise recycled or recyclable materials , pushing its sustainability development forward . It also encourages its raw material , component and finished goods suppliers to set science-based targets for their Scope 1 and 2 emissions at a minimum .
“ Companies must be able to make the transition as easy as possible for consumers and offer solutions that help keep materials in circulation for a long time . In practice , this can mean anything from a maintenance service for frying pans to selling second-hand tableware alongside new items in stores or making use of recycled materials in product design . This is a major change for many actors , but it should also be seen as an opportunity to create entirely new business ,” explained Minna Hiltunen , Innovation Design Manager , Fiskars Group in a press release in June when Fiskars Group made a 250,000-euro donation to Aalto University . The donation is part of the long-term cooperation between Fiskars Group and Aalto University . It includes courses on sustainable design and materials of the future .
Outokumpu employs approximately 9,000 professionals in more than 30 countries , with headquarters in Helsinki , Finland , and shares
Kati Ihamäki , Vice President , Sustainability , Fiskars Group .
listed on Nasdaq Helsinki . It has a carbon footprint of less than 30 % of global industry based on three aspects . Its recycled material content is greater than 90 %; low ferrochrome content that is 42 % of the industry average and high usage of carbon-neutral energy , with 76 % of its energy produced from renewable resources . Its commitment to a roadmap for carbon neutrality by 2050 has been recognized by various independent global awards , including Platinum-level recognition for the second year in a row from the sustainability rating platform , EcoVadis .
“ We have a strong track record in sustainable performance and ambitious climate targets . We are committed to the Science- Based Targets initiative ’ s 1.5-degree target to mitigate climate change . Our emissions reduction ambition covers all direct and indirect emissions , as well as those of our supply chain . We aim to protect the climate with sustainable stainless steel . We are developing our operations to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and are committed to the Business Ambition for 1.5 °,” added Outokumpu .
Reaching environmental goals
Fiskars Group ’ s Vice President of Sustainability , Kati Ihamäki , encourages companies to collaborate more to reach these environmental goals .
“ As Finnish companies we want to be pioneers in sustainability , and really walk the talk . No one can make it alone in a circular economy . Partnerships are key to more sustainable business in all areas ,” she explained in an article on its website .
According to Ihamäki , the advantages of the Sorsakoski and Outokumpu collaboration are pioneering materials , short distances and wellknown partners .
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