HKScan Finland has switched to using 100% renewable electricity, favouring domestically produced bioenergy and hydropower. The transition to renewable electricity is a key part of a Group-wide drive to reduce emissions and climate impacts.
Renewable electricity generates significantly lower emissions
“Switching to renewable energy is an important way of contributing to the fight against climate change, which is growing ever more urgent. Our commitment to using renewable electricity and improving our energy efficiency form the core of HKScan’s sustainable energy policy in Finland,” says Jyrki Karlsson, Executive Vice President, Market Area Finland.
A company generates emissions when the electricity it consumes is produced at a fossil fuel-burning power plant. In 2015, electricity consumption accounted for 57% of HKScan’s carbon footprint in Finland. By switching to renewable electricity, HKScan will reduce its emissions in Finland by roughly 30 000 tonnes per year. This corresponds to the average emissions generated per year by a total of over 1 600 Finnish households.
All HK and Kariniemen products will be produced using Finnish bioenergy and hydropower
A business can reduce its energy-related emissions in two ways: by reducing energy consumption, hence also reducing its energy-related carbon footprint, or by switching to renewable electricity, which is emission-free.
All manufacturing at HKScan plants in Finland will henceforward be powered by domestically sourced bioenergy and hydropower. “There is a clear, responsible alternative to generating electricity. By favouring sustainably produced electricity, we are driving demand for renewable Finnish electricity production. Finnish bioenergy makes efficient use of forest industry side streams. Hydropower, in turn, is an established, emission-free form of energy production,” says Martin Aalto, Energy and Environmental Engineer at HKScan Finland.
Strong commitment to reducing energy consumption
Over the following years, HKScan will make a committed effort to reduce its energy consumption in Finland. Steps taken to improve energy efficiency will include the following:
- introduction of heat recovery systems
- more efficient use of existing processes and equipment
- adoption of state-of-the-art technology in the most energy-intensive phases of production
Through these efforts to improve energy efficiency, HKScan will save costs, reduce its dependence on external suppliers, and minimize the environmental footprint of its operations. Saving energy additionally reduces overall demand for fossil-based energy, which contributes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources on the electricity market. Favouring domestically sourced renewable energy also promotes Finland’s energy self-sufficiency.
HKScan is committed to continual improvement in all areas of performance and has actively investigated the option of switching to renewable energy sources also in its heating and fuel supply.
For further information:
- Jyrki Karlsson, Executive Vice President, Market Area Finland
- Martin Aalto, Energy and Environmental Engineer at HKScan Finland
- Kindly submit a call-back request via Marja Siltala, VP Communications,marja.siltala(at)hkscan.com, tel. +358 10 570 2290.
HKScan is the leading Nordic food company. We produce, market and sell high-quality, responsibly-produced pork, beef, poultry and lamb products, processed meats and convenience foods under strong brand names. Our customers are the retail, food service, industrial and export sectors, and our home markets comprise Finland, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltics. We export to close to 50 countries. In 2016, HKScan had net sales of nearly EUR 1.9 billion and some 7 300 employees.
www.hkscan.com