Helsinki Mills commits to more efficient energy use
Helsinki Mills’ Vaasa production plant has joined the national Energy Efficiency Agreement. The agreement commits us to improving our energy efficiency by 11% by the end of 2035.
The Energy Efficiency Agreement is one of Finland's key tools for promoting climate action and sustainable energy use by companies. The agreement aims to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency, and support companies in their long-term climate work.
– We had made plans to improve the energy efficiency of the Vaasa unit, and we felt that the Energy Efficiency Agreement for industry is a good way to communicate these investments and to make a concrete commitment towards a more sustainable future," says Ville Mäki, Production Director.
Aiming for energy savings of more than 11% by 2035
Helsinki Mills joined the Energy Efficiency Agreement for the first time. The aim for the next contract period is to increase energy efficiency by 10 percent. Progress will be reviewed in 2030.
Helsinki Mills has set its own interim target of 7.5% energy savings by 2030 and an overall savings target of 11.3% by 2035. This means energy savings of around 1,200 MWh/a.
Production Director Ville Mäki is responsible for all three of Helsinki Mills’ production plants, located in Järvenpää, Närpiö and Vaasa.
– We have identified measures to improve energy efficiency and have drawn up a roadmap based on them. We are considering, for example, installing solar panels and an electric boiler," Mäki says.
All our production plants have been using green electricity since 2010.
Voluntary agreement to develop the whole sector
Energy Efficiency Agreements are a voluntary way for governments and industries to meet their obligations under the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive. Already 16 food companies have committed to the new agreement period.
– The agreement will allow us to monitor the development of energy efficiency in Finland and at the same time set clear targets for ourselves. The actors share their successes and good practices, and they report on them together," Mäki continues.
Concrete investments and continuous improvement
Helsinki Mills aims to achieve its targets by investing in heat recovery, building automation, and renovations to the facade and roof of the Vaasa factory. More efficient production methods and staff training will also support the change.
In 2013, a dedicated biomass power plant was built in connection with the Vaasa factory. The plant uses oat husks generated as a by-product of production as fuel. The biopower plant will produce the process steam and thermal energy needed by the plant. In addition, energy efficiency has also been taken into account in new construction projects.
– Doing our part to save energy is in line with our company's values and in the long run, energy efficiency also brings cost savings," Mäki explains.
Although Helsinki Mills has not previously been part of the Energy Efficiency Agreement, continuous improvements have reduced energy consumption in relation to the tonnage of products produced. In the future, data will be collected more systematically and reported on regularly.
In the fluidised bed dryer, the flakes are dried and cooled to the appropriate moisture and temperature before continuing further in the process.
What is the Energy Efficiency Agreement?
Energy Efficiency Agreements are agreements between the government and various industries that guide the industry sector, the energy and service sectors, the real estate sector, and the public sector toward more efficient energy use through voluntary means.
The food industry has its own programme of measures under the agreement, coordinated by the Finnish Food Industries Federation (ETL). The agreement period now beginning is the fourth in succession and covers the years 2026–2035.
Over the decades, energy efficiency agreements have become an established part of Finnish energy policy. They play an important role in Finland's climate and energy strategy and support Finland's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2035.
A wide range of central government and different sectors are committed to energy efficiency agreements. Participants include the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of the Environment, the Energy Authority, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), the Finnish Food Industries Federation, the Finnish Energy, the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, the Finnish Forest Industries, the Technology Industries of Finland, the Finnish Commerce Federation, The Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs (AKL), the Finnish Association of Building Owners and Construction Clients Rakli, the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities, and the Real Estate and Facilities Management Competence Center for Wellbeing Services Counties.
