The world's northernmost ceramics factory, Pentik's production facility in Posio, has been awarded the Ekokompassi environmental certificate. At the same time, Pentik has made an environmental promise, and the ceramics factory in Posio will reduce its energy consumption by 10% by optimising the use of electricity and heating energy for its facilities by 2024*. The factory is also developing recycling and systematically reducing waste. The ceramics factory will be carbon neutral by 2035.
For Pentik, a Finnish interior design house, responsibility means caring for the environment and people, and taking responsibility for products and the supply chain. The production of the ceramics factory in Posio is a choice of values for the company, and its location in the middle of the northern nature strongly supports Pentik's overall ideology and its environmentally conscious operations. Pentik is the largest private employer in the Posio region, and the activities of the entire Pentik Hill have a significant impact on the region's economy and tourism.
The Posio factory produces household items, utility and art ceramics, and ceramic tiles for the construction industry. The factory uses electricity produced from 100% renewable energy sources, and the goal is to further increase the energy efficiency of the ceramics factory. During 2022, studies will begin on increasing the capacity for heat recovery and optimising the factory's heating. In addition, attention will be paid to the amount of waste fractions collected, and efforts will be made to reduce plastic waste. In all procurements, the aim is to favour Finnish labour, and the packaging materials acquired for the factory are fully recyclable.
– Today, our ceramics factory produces 300,000 items annually and employs 40 people. The waste heat generated during ceramic firing at the factory is directed to beneficial use for heating our own properties and domestic water. Ceramics broken during firing get a new life in recycled art pieces, which can be admired in various locations in Posio and in some Pentik stores. All our ceramic products and candles from our own workshop bear the Key Flag and Design from Finland labels. In addition, Pentik Hill has the Green Key eco-label and the Sustainable Travel Finland award for responsible tourism, says Lassi Kaivosoja, Director of Pentik's Posio ceramics factory.
Finland's first Ekokompassi-certified ceramics factory and top position in Sustainable Brand Index research drive Pentik's overall sustainability work
Pentik's factory's environmental program is tailored to the company's specific needs and has been audited by an independent third party. The environmental program supports the continuous development of the entire company's business and its growth strategy. The Ekokompassi environmental certificate awarded to Pentik is the first in the ceramics industry. In addition, Pentik has been chosen by consumers for the second time as the most responsible brand in its industry (Furniture & Decoration - Stores) in the Sustainable Brand Index 2022** survey. These recognitions further encourage the company to continue its systematic and long-term sustainability work with new policies and projects.
– We want to offer beautiful, high-quality and safe products that last from generation to generation. We have identified the sustainability themes and areas for development that are important to us and have also had these validated by an external party. In sustainability work, we do not aim for completion, but believe that the work is continuous development and learning. We are just about to introduce new principles for sustainable design and procurement. In addition, we will launch a comprehensive carbon footprint calculation for our entire company during the spring, says Riikka Wulff, CEO of Pentik.
– Ekokompassi's requirements are met excellently at Pentik, and we at Ekokompassi are very pleased to have the first ceramics factory certified. Pentik is clearly committed to its goals and has integrated environmental work into the company's other operations, says Heidi Salonen, CEO of Ekokompassi.
Ekokompassi is an industry-independent environmental management system based on the international ISO 14001 standard and corresponds to other Nordic environmental management systems. Ekokompassi is owned by Finland's oldest and most influential environmental organisation, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.
*baseline year 2021.
** Sustainable Brand Index is Europe's largest independent brand study focusing on sustainability, which examines consumers' perceptions of the most responsible brands. The study is conducted annually in Finland and involves interviewing thousands of Finns aged 16–75. More information: https://www.sb-index.com/finland
More information:
Heidi Kinnunen, Communications and Marketing Manager
tel. +358 40 8263291
e-mail: lehdisto@pentik.com
Pentik is a story of will and skill, inexhaustible zest for life and passion for art. The family business has been beautifying Finnish homes and conquering hearts for over half a century. Pentik's story began in 1971 in Posio, where the company's ceramics factory and candle workshop, as well as the Pentik Hill tourist destination, which has received the Sustainable Travel Finland recognition, are still located. Today, Pentik is a versatile interior design house, with a turnover of 26 million euros in 2021. It has 48 own stores, including an online store, and Pentik employs nearly 250 people in Finland.
