Finnsementti's completed major environmental work in 2024, especially at the Pargas plant . Environmental impacts were reduced in several areas, including CO2 emissions were reduced, water management was improved and noise levels were reduced. In addition, much smaller actions were taken in the areas of compressed air, lighting and traffic.
It was a record year in terms of the use of alternative fuels (AFs). At the Finnsementti level as a whole, AF use rose to 52 per cent, and at the Lappeenranta plant the company already exceeded the 70 per cent level. The new grate cooler at the Pargas plant was put into operation in April. The cooler has significantly improved the energy efficiency of the kin, and the new SRF feed equipment will also increase the utilisation rate of recycled fuels at Pargas. The introduction of the cooler is a learning process, where the share of recycled fuels can be gradually increased.
Finnsement's CO2 emissions decreased by 28 per cent overall compared to the previous year. This reflects both the low production level and the reduced specific emissions of the product. The direct CO2 emissions of the average cement decreased by four per cent during the year.
Finnsementti's emission reduction work is progressing as indicated in the carbon roadmap, with the goal to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, says Ulla Leveelahti, the company's director of sustainability. The Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for cements will be updated this spring.
The general noise level at the cement plant in Pargas has decreased by almost 10 decibels since 2006. The new grate cooler is so much quieter than its predecessor that neighbours have sometimes suspected that the cement kiln has not been started at all after maintenance. Last year, the stormwater treatment system at the plant was also completely renovated. In the future, all stormwater from the plant will be centrally directed through sedimentation tanks so that any solids and impurities contained in the water can be filtered. In the event of an accident, rainwater and firefighting water from the plant area can also be diverted and collected separately if necessary.
The product development supports the company’s low-carbon work, which is at the heart of operations. In 2024, Finnsementti focussed on increasing the strength class of Oiva cement and further developing Pika cement. The goal is to make the new LC-Pika a product that is technically equivalent to its predecessor but with lower emissions. The company is also currently considering how to make our low-carbon products more geographically comprehensive and efficient for its customers.
Raw material choices are an important part of development work. Over the years, Finnsementti has strived to replace the virgin raw materials it uses with various alternatives. The company is currently experimenting with, for example, the reuse of concrete waste. Mineral waste from cement factories has long been fully utilised as a secondary raw material in production. In 2024 the share of secondary raw materials increased by two percentage points.
In addition, Finnsementti has switched from diesel-powered work vehicles to electric vehicles to reduce emissions and energy consumption. The first new electric vans were put into use at the Lappeenranta and Raahe plants, and the Pargas plant already has a total of nine electric vehicles in use at work. Electric vehicles are superior on short journeys around the plant; they are economical, low-emission and practical. New cars also do not need to be “refuelled” elsewhere thanks to the comprehensive charging infrastructure. There are already 12 high-performance chargers in the Pargas plant area, so the batteries can be charged without having to drive extra miles.
Finnsementti's factory halls have switched to LED lighting, one area at a time, which has improved lighting efficiency and reduced energy consumption. At the Pargas plant, approximately 650 luminaires have already been replaced with LED lights, and at Lappeenranta, approximately half, or 500 luminaires, have been renewed. The transition is still ongoing at both plants. LED lights enable smart lighting and motion sensors, which has reduced energy consumption by up to half. The new lights turn on quickly, provide more efficient lighting with less power, and improve working conditions and occupational safety.
The Lappeenranta plant has also improved the control of the compressed air system. The old constant-output compressors have been replaced with variable-output compressors that adjust the air pressure according to consumption. This always ensures an optimal pressure level without unnecessary overconsumption.The main focus of Finnsement's environmental work is on reducing the amount of CO2 emissions from both its own operations and its customers.
