Nordic Innovation had a talk with one of the oldest companies in the Nordics about the manufacturing companies’ role in the global sustainability targets, and how they can achieve them.
Read more about World Circular Economy Forum 2023 (WCEF)
Historical company making big changes
Fiskars is Finland's oldest company and was established back in 1649, with roots back to the iron industry in Fiskars, Pojo. Yearly they manufacture a variety of products for daily use in gardens, kitchen or hobbies, aiming to make this consummation more sustainable. According to the company’s suitability strategy, majority of the net sales are to come from the circulation of products and services by 2030. Now at 9%, they still have a long way to go.
Kati Ihamäki is responsible for defining sustainability ambition, ESG strategy and target setting for the Fiskars Group. Nordic Innovation met her during World Circular Economy Forum 2023 (WCEF). She believes the power of cooperation – with the help of states, companies, the third sector and citizens, can help achieve sustainable change and a better world for both people and nature.
"We want to advance our circularity ESG target, but still have a long way to go. This year I am participating for the first time, and I think this type of forum would be good to kind of learn from each other, learn the best practises, and also share our experiences," says Kati Ihamäki about their participation in the forum.
Nobody can advance on their own
Moving on towards 2030, Ihamäk believes we will start seeing big leaps forward. It has been many years with trail and error, but as the discussion is becoming part of every company, with focus on biodiversity also on the rise, the innovation and action will hopefully bear fruits. But no one can advance on their own.
"Nobody can advance in sustainability on their own. We need cooperation with all different partners, the consumers, the raw material producers and companies like us. Some people would like to go ahead full speed, but it takes time and effort to find the right path and techniques."
Ihamäk encourages other companies to cooperate by not only being open about their best practices, but also their shortcomings. This way the knowledge sharing can accelerate the circular transition.
"We tend to shy away and stay in our own corners. We are afraid of sharing not only our success stories, but learnings that we did through the ones that didn't work out. Especially in Scandinavia, many of the companies want to tell only when they are 100% sure it’s right, and they don't share the shortcomings for the competition, slowing the process down."
Innovation trough cooperation
Working for a stronger cooperation between Nordic companies is well in line with Nordic Innovation’s role as a catalyser and enabler in the region. Through our Circular business models programme Nordic Innovation will continue working to create arenas and ecosystem cooperation.
When asked what she believes the companies need from the legislature and public institutions like ours her message is clear.
"For both circularity and the climate, we as companies need both to be pushed and incentivised. Both carrot and stick, with cooperation among us. Because even though we compete with the other companies, we are still all in the same business trying to minimise the burden for the environment. So that should be the common target for all of us, and that should be the motivation to share the information."
