Sustainability at Valmet
We enhance sustainable business practices globally
Sustainability is at the core of Valmet's business strategy and operations. Our values, Code of Conduct, related policies, and selected globally acknowledged initiatives and principles create the foundation for sustainable performance at Valmet.
From renewable resources to sustainable results
Valmet’s mission is to convert renewable resources into sustainable results. Our technology and services enable our customers to manufacture sustainable products from renewable resources. We believe technology is crucial in mitigating climate change and global warming.
Valmet has a long track record in providing solutions that convert biomass into renewable energy and recyclable products such as pulp, paper, board, and tissue. We have also developed and commercialized new biomass conversion technologies for producing new bio-based end products such as biogas, biofuels, and biomaterials.
The sustainability agenda guides our performance
Sustainability is integrated into our processes through the comprehensive Sustainability360° Agenda. The agenda includes environmental, social, and governance perspectives (ESG) on sustainability. It covers Valmet’s entire value chain, including the supply chain, own operations, and the use phase of Valmet´s technologies. The agenda is aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is executed as part of Valmet's annual planning process.
Most impactful UN Sustainable Development Goals for Valmet
We have identified the SDGs on which Valmet can have the most positive impact or where we aim to minimize our negative impact. Our Sustainability360° agenda and related targets have been aligned with selected SDGs.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation. Efficient water management plays a crucial role in Valmet’s technologies, e.g., evaporation and condensate treatment solutions, ultrafiltration solutions and tissue, and board and paper machines can help customers recycle process water and reduce freshwater use and water pollution. Improving water efficiency and decreasing water consumption are also part of Valmet’s environmental targets for its own operations by 2030.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy. Valmet’s energy solutions are based on biomass, waste, or a mixture of different fuels. Valmet impacts this goal through energy technologies, e.g., enabling heat and power production in biomass, waste, and multifuel boilers, increasing the use of different fuel mixes, and air emission control systems for pulp mills and power plant flue gases. Valmet also contributes to this goal by replacing fossil fuels with renewables, purchasing CO2-free electricity, and improving energy efficiency in its own operations.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth. Valmet’s goal is zero harm to people and the environment. Valmet aims for a positive, safe, and fair working environment, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. We have a human rights management process for our own operations and the supply chain, e.g. to ensure human rights and protect labor rights. Valmet contributes to global economic productivity through investments in R&D, high value-adding and resource-efficient technology manufacturing, and fostering innovation.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production. Valmet develops process technologies, automation, and services to enable the replacement of fossil materials with renewables and to support customers in producing high-value end products. We aim to improve resource efficiency throughout the value chain to ensure responsible consumption and production processes. Valmet’s technologies are designed for maximum resource and raw material efficiency, enabling the circular economy. Lightweight technologies that reduce fiber in board production, hybrid technologies that save fiber in tissue production, high-yield chemical pulp cooking, and fiberlines and power boilers that use residues impact this goal by significantly increasing the efficient use of resources. Valmet has a waste management target for its own operations by 2030. Valmet’s sustainable supply chain management also contributes to this goal.
Goal 13: Climate action. Valmet has validated science-based CO2 emissions reduction targets and concrete actions for the whole value chain. Valmet contributes to this goal by offering bioenergy self-sufficient chemical pulp mills, and enabling carbon-neutral biomass-based heat and power production. By 2030, we aim to enable 100 percent carbon-neutral production for customers. In addition, our target is to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 percent in our own operations and 20 percent in our supply chain by 2030. Valmet has also analyzed the potential long-term climate-related physical and transitional risks and their financial impact on its operations and business environment with different climate scenarios to support strategy and the capability of adapting to and mitigating climate change.