Responsibility and sustainability at Woikoski

Over the years, Woikoski has done significant work on sustainability. We continuously report on our activities to a number of bodies, including Motiva, Ecovadis and the chemical industry’s Responsible Care programme.

We want to develop our activities further. We are currently working on a Sustainability Strategy to structure and define our objectives and related indicators for monitoring.

Once the sustainability strategy is completed, we will prepare a sustainability report based on it. To support this reporting, we have commissioned an external expert to carry out a dual analysis of the key issues for us. We will use the CSME Comprehensive Module, a voluntary sustainability reporting standard developed by the European Commission for companies not subject to CSRD obligations.

One of the most tangible ways we can make a difference to the environment is by reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

In all our operations, we strive for efficient, economical and sustainable use of energy and raw materials. Both Motiva’s Energy Efficiency Pact and the international Responsible Care programme, in which we participate, emphasise the acceleration of the circular economy. We monitor our carbon footprint by controlling our carbon dioxide emissions.

The renewal of the heating system at the Voikoski plant to use condensation heat generated in the processes has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption. At the same time, we have optimised production processes to reduce waste and material wastage. In Kokkola, we improved the hydrogen production process by adding a filtration system that increases the lifetime of the lye and reduces waste streams. This allowed us to significantly reduce the amount of lye used in the process.

Factory without chimney

Is it possible? Yes, it is. Our air gas production processes do not emit any emissions into the air, as our products are nature’s own ingredients that we process and return to nature after use, either as they are or in other forms.

Carbon dioxide capture

We also reduce emissions from other companies by capturing raw carbon dioxide from chemical production processes that would otherwise end up in the atmosphere. We process this into industrial, medical and food-grade carbon dioxide.

Circular economy

Gas packaging is an excellent example of the circular economy. Gas cylinders are in use for around 40 years – the oldest cylinders in use are up to 100 years old. They are serviced and inspected every ten years, and those that have reached the end of their life cycle are scrapped for reuse. Larger containers are also recycled and reused again and again throughout their life cycle.

Forest areas and biodiversity

Woikoski owns large areas of forest, which are managed according to strict forest management plans. In line with current concepts of nature, the forests have been restored to protect biodiversity. A significant part of our forests are nature reserves. For example, about 10% of the area of the Repovesi National Park is located in forests owned by Woikoski.

Domestic gas producer

We are a Finnish family-owned company and a domestic gas producer. Our products and services proudly carry the Key Flag logo. We are also involved in securing Finland’s security of supply.

We pay our taxes to Finland

Our operations and headquarters are located in Finland, and we pay our taxes in Finland. The tax money paid by companies is used to maintain Finnish society.

We take care of our staff

We continuously train and develop the skills of our staff. We support the well-being of our staff beyond the statutory health services.

Already in 1913, the factory’s sickness fund collected contributions, of which Tirva Fabriks Aktiebolag, a limited company, paid a third. This was a very progressive way of looking after workers at the time. We have been a safe and stable employer for more than 140 years.

Industrial gas, food and pharmaceutical plant

At Woikoski, responsibility is part of everyday life. In addition to industrial gas production, we also operate as a food and pharmaceutical plant, and our operations are guided by strict criteria and standards. We are committed to a number of standards and programmes of action to ensure the systematic nature of our processes, the quality of our products and the well-being and safety of our staff.

We are also involved in a number of international sustainability programmes that promote sustainable energy use, renewable energy, emission reductions, the circular economy and carbon neutrality. In all our activities, we strive for efficient and sustainable use of energy and raw materials. We own extensive nature reserves and all our forests are PEFC certified.