Responsibility for the environment, people, and profitable business is a guiding principle of Tormets Oy, which manifests as concrete actions in daily operations. Tormets’ first sustainability report for 2023 reveals the starting point and the steps the company is taking toward a brighter future.
“Responsibility is visible in all our operations. We strive to minimize our environmental impact, invest in workplace safety, and develop responsible and efficient use of raw materials and energy. We take care of our personnel’s well-being, and as a significant employer, we also bear responsibility for regional welfare,” assures CEO Antti Valta.
For companies of Tormets Oy’s size, preparing a sustainability report is voluntary. Tormets’ decision to produce the report is based on the strategy renewed last spring and the shared values confirmed therein: reliability, responsibility, courage, and fairness.
“We want to openly inform our stakeholders about the impacts of our operations and demonstrate through practical actions that we take responsibility seriously – as a reliable strategic partner should,” says Leena Parkkila, who serves as Tormets’ contact person and expert on sustainability matters.
Less Than One-Third of Emissions Came from Own Operations
Tormets’ complete carbon footprint was calculated for the first time for 2023. The result and other figures indicating environmental burden provide baseline values against which future years’ development will be compared.
In 2023, the total greenhouse gas emissions of Tormets Oy’s entire production-supply chain were 1,294 carbon dioxide equivalent tons (t CO2e). Tormets’ own operations accounted for 27 percent of these emissions, which came mainly from vehicle fuels and purchased district heating. The electricity used by the company was emission-free.
In the production chain, the largest emissions come from the production and transportation of materials used.
“We can mainly influence the indirect emission sources in the supply chain through supplier selection and by requiring them to commit to the same sustainability principles and values that we follow in our own operations,” notes Antti Valta.
The waste recycling rate was 26 percent, or 12.4 tons. The recycling rate does not include 100 percent recyclable waste metal material generated in production. The waste recovery rate was 84 percent, with 40 tons of waste directed to recovery use.
There’s Always Room for Improvement
The transition to cleaner production and a brighter future is off to a good start, but Tormets also sees areas for development in its own operations.
“Responsibility means continuous improvement in all areas. In the report, we have outlined clear goals and listed near-term measures to reduce our harmful environmental impacts and make Tormets Oy an even better workplace; a company where work can be done safely and with good spirits,” explains Leena Parkkila.
“Responsible operation is not only ethically right but also makes business sense. We intend to invest in new technologies that help us further reduce both our own and our partners’ environmental impacts. Our goal is to build even more sustainable supply chains where ethical and environmentally respectful practices are prioritized,” says Antti Valta.
