Ruukki Construction presents innovations in low-carbon construction at FinnBuild
At this autumn's FinnBuild trade fair, Ruukki Construction's stand will offer visitors a direct insight into the current trends in the construction industry.
This year's fair will focus on concrete solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of construction, with the most interesting new product being the Ruukki® Firewall system. This lightweight firewall is designed for buildings that require an EI-M class firewall, and its cost-effectiveness is based on its unique adaptability: if the purpose of the building changes, the firewall panel system can be easily dismantled and moved to a new location.
Jukka Joensuu, Project Development Manager at Ruukki, points out that a visit to Ruukki's FinnBuild stand provides a comprehensive overview of the entire market. Architects, designers, and construction industry decision-makers who visit the stand will receive answers directly from sales, product development, and project development professionals.
"By choosing Ruukki's products and solutions, we can work together to reduce emissions from construction. Our products are low-carbon, long-lasting, energy-efficient, and maintenance-free", says Joensuu.
The FinnBuild fair will highlight Ruukki's low-carbon LowCarbon product range solutions, which make it easier for customers to reduce the environmental impact of their buildings. Many of these products are made from 100% recycled steel. Jukka Joensuu is delighted with how sustainability is now reflected in purchasing decisions.
"Currently, there is a desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the construction process, which is why sustainable materials and energy-efficient solutions are favored. Today's customers are placing more and more emphasis on these themes, and this is now beginning to be reflected in their purchasing decisions", says Joensuu, analyzing developments in the industry.
Ruukki plans to reduce emissions from its own operations by 85 percent by 2035
Ruukki's expertise is based on strong practical experience. At the fair, they will present pilot projects and reference stories where fossil-free steel has been used. As an example, Joensuu mentions a logistics center in Tampere, whose wall elements are made of Ruukki's LowCarbon and Design profiles of fossil-free steel. In addition, new pilot projects are underway in the roofing sector. According to Joensuu, the work involves creative problem solving, with the aim of finding the best options for each project.
"Right now, there is a lot of focus on different acoustic solutions in construction, and we have the right products for these needs in our product range", he explains.
Ruukki Construction is part of the global SSAB Group and has ambitious goals: the company aims to reduce its emissions by 85 percent by 2035. Products manufactured in Alajärvi, Kauhava, and Vimpeli, Finland, such as wool sandwich panels, facade cladding, and well-known metal roofs, are part of this sustainable growth.
"We are not just a supplier of goods, we also help with design solutions. We incorporate feedback from customers into our own product development, which enables us to continuously create better products", says Joensuu, who has almost 37 years of experience.
Responsibility also extends to the life cycle of products and coatings, which have a significant impact on environmental friendliness.
"In addition to high-quality products, the life cycle model forces us to look at the durability and warranty periods of products over 50 years. This also highlights the importance of coatings. Paint-coated products have up to 60 percent lower emissions than standard products, and hot-dip galvanized products have up to 70 percent lower emissions", Joensuu explains the technical advantages.
The FinnBuild trade fair is an excellent arena for acquiring new knowledge, because, as Joensuu says, all of us involved in construction have our own responsibility in low-carbon construction, and there is still much to learn about the properties of steel products.
Valtteri Karjula
