Safety in focus – PPE demonstration day at Teknikum

Teknikum’s Sastamala plant hosted a hands-on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) demonstration, aiming to make workplace safety even more visible and practical in our daily operations. The event was part of our continuous effort to improve occupational safety and support employee well-being.

During the day, employees had the opportunity to explore a variety of protective solutions, test different equipment, and consult directly with experts. Several PPE suppliers were present to introduce the latest innovations and demonstrate how their products can support safety across different working environments.

The demonstration included:

• Cut-resistant gloves and arm guards for handling sharp materials safely

• Chemical-resistant gloves, suitable for production environments and laboratory use

• Hearing protection, designed for different noise levels with user-friendly features

• Respiratory protection against dust, chemicals, and other airborne hazards

• Safety knives, showcased as an option to reduce hand injuries during cutting tasks

Safety and well-being go hand in hand

The atmosphere of the event was positive and engaging. Coffee and light refreshments created a relaxed setting that encouraged open conversation and experience sharing. Employees were able to ask specific questions related to their roles and receive personalized recommendations for suitable protective gear.

Occupational safety is a core value at Teknikum. Our goal is to ensure that every employee has access to safe tools and up-to-date information on protective practices. Events like this PPE demonstration are a great example of how safety can be developed in an inclusive, everyday way.

“Even small improvements in protective gear can have a big impact on safety and comfort at work. It’s great that our people can try things themselves and choose what works best,” said Tero Suominen, Teknikum’s Safety Manager, during the event.

                                                                                                                           

On April 3rd, 2025, Teknikum had the pleasure of hosting members of the Nolla Tapaturmaa (Zero Accidents) Forum as part of the network’s company visit initiative. The purpose of the visit was to explore Teknikum’s occupational safety practices and gain insight into how a strong safety culture is embedded in daily operations.

Openness and experience sharing

The visit began with a relaxed coffee session in the canteen, where participants introduced themselves and shared their experiences in workplace safety from various industries. This opening dialogue laid a great foundation for an open and constructive exchange of ideas throughout the afternoon.

Teknikum’s safety culture in focus

During the main session, Tero Suominen, Teknikum’s Safety Manager, and Esko Mäntyharju, QEHS Director, presented the company’s safety management system, practical solutions, and approach to continuous improvement. They explained how safety is implemented on the shop floor and supported across the organization.

Key topics discussed included:

• Systematic risk assessment and prevention

• Employee involvement in safety observations and initiatives

• The role of leadership and supervisors in developing safety culture

• Cooperation with occupational health services and authorities

Safety in practice – plant tour

The session concluded with a guided tour of the production facilities. During the walk-through, visitors observed Teknikum’s safety practices in action and had the opportunity to make their own safety observations and share improvement suggestions. This hands-on experience brought valuable context to the earlier discussions and highlighted how safety is woven into everyday work.

Continuous improvement through collaboration

Safety is one of Teknikum’s core values.Our goal is to constantly improve – not only to prevent accidents but to ensure a healthy, motivated, and engaged workforce. Being part of the Nolla Tapaturmaa Forum supports this mission by enabling knowledge sharing and mutual learning across industries.

A warm thank you to all the visitors for your presence, inspiring conversations, and shared commitment to workplace safety. Together, we take meaningful steps – toward zero.

March 13, 2025 -Finland

February 11, 2025 – Finland

Teknikum, a Finnish leader in polymer technology and a pioneer in sustainable solutions, continues to make significant progress in reducing emissions and improving environmental responsibility. Since committing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2021, Teknikum has set clear climate goals aligned with the 1.5°C emission scenario.  

The 2024 results highlight Teknikum’s strong progress toward its 2030 SBTi targets, with significant emission reductions across all scopes. 

Measurable emission reductions in Scope 1 & 2 

-29% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions from 2020 baseline 

Teknikum has reduced its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 29% since 2020, moving steadily toward its goal of a 50% reduction by 2030. This achievement was made possible by: 

• Energy efficiency improvements in production facilities 

• Transitioning to renewable energy sources 

• Installing energy-efficient lighting and insulation 

• Upgrading equipment to reduce self-generated energy use 

“Our energy-saving initiatives have delivered concrete results. By optimizing production processes, investing in more efficient machinery, and increasing the use of renewable energy, we have significantly reduced emissions,” says Esko Mäntyharju, Director of HSQE at Teknikum Group. 

Scope 3 Emission Reductions Through Sustainable Products & Processes 

-54% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from 2020 baseline 

Scope 3 emissions, primarily generated from purchased goods, services, and capital goods, remain a key area of focus. Teknikum is driving innovation by incorporating: 

• Recycled and bio-based raw materials into its products 

• TEKNICROSS® railway rubber level crossing elements, made from recycled rubber 

• Industrial hoses produced partially with recycled or bio-based rubber 

Sustainability is embedded in Teknikum’s production process, with a strong focus on material efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling at all facilities. Teknikum’s environmental management is certified under ISO 14001 across all locations. 

Strengthening supplier responsibility & compliance 

Enhanced supplier Code of Conduct 

Teknikum has reinforced its sustainability commitments with the Supplier Code of Conduct, requiring all suppliers to comply  tight ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. Teknikum works closely together with its suppliers to ensure ESG adherence and encourage improvements. 

“Collaboration with our suppliers plays a crucial role in achieving emission reductions in our supply chain. By strengthening our sustainability policies, we drive positive change throughout our value chain,” comments Mäntyharju. 

The roadmap to 2030: What’s next? 

Future focus areas for sustainability progress 

With a clear SBTi roadmap, Teknikum is committed to further emission reductions through: 

• Exploring new energy sources for production 

• Increasing heat recovery and reducing energy consumption 

• Increasing production efficiency with layout changes and production method development 

• Developing innovative, low-carbon products for customers 

Reducing emissions is not just about what we do internally. It’s also about developing innovative, more sustainable solutions that support our customers in reaching their environmental goals,” says Mäntyharju. 

Committed to Transparent Sustainability Reporting 

Teknikum Group will continue reporting on its sustainability progress annually across its communication channels, ensuring transparency and accountability in achieving the 2030 SBTi goals. 

Learn more: Teknikum Sustainability Initiatives 

Teknikum – A pioneer in sustainable polymer technology 

Teknikum provides industrial customers with high-performance rubber, plastic, silicone, and foam solutions, including industrial hoses, molded products, and mill lining services. With factories and offices in Finland, Hungary, and Germany, Teknikum operates under three core values:
Safety |  Sustainability |  Sincerity 

 www.teknikum.com 

12. December 2024

This week, Teknikum had the privilege of hosting great visitors, including the Minister of Employment of Finland, Arto Satonen, and the CEO of Sanok Rubber Company, Piotr Szamburski, along with representatives from the City of Sastamala including Mikko Rauva, Business Specialist, and Tanja Aarnikuru, Director of Economic Development. Teknikum Group’s CEO, Jani Hämäläinen, warmly welcomed the visitors.

The visit offered an excellent opportunity to showcase Teknikum’s expertise in polymer technology, share insights on the latest industry trends, and strengthen relationships that drive the growth of both our business and the local community. Conversations during the visit focused on sustainability and innovation, emphasizing Teknikum’s commitment to delivering advanced, environmentally friendly solutions for demanding industrial applications.

Teknikum continues to lead the way in polymer technology, offering a broad range of products and services, including industrial hoses, wear-resistant linings, and tailored technical solutions designed to meet diverse customer needs. Visits like this reaffirm our dedication to fostering collaboration and driving positive change within the industry.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our guests for their time, insightful discussions, and shared vision for innovation and sustainability. Together, we look forward to continuing our journey of growth and excellence.

In the photo, from left to right, you can see Mikko Rauva, Piotr Szamburski, Arto Satonen, Tanja Aarnikuru, and Jani Hämäläinen.

May 6, 2024 – Sastamala, Finland

In spring 2024, Teknikum brings forth an upgraded wireless solution for wear monitoring of abrasive smart hoses. To enable even more maintenance cost savings and as easy lifecycle management as possible, the system is now built around a Wireless IoT Gateway that is able to monitor up to 20 smart hoses at once. When multiple IoT Gateways are installed, the coverage can include hundreds of hoses and bends.

Customer’s piloting the system have been very pleased to receive feedback on their hoses durability without the need to make a maintenance stop and a visual check. But how is it done today?

When a Smart hose’s lining reaches a specific point of wear, the Wireless Smart hose sensor sends an alert to the IoT Gateway, and all the way to Teknikum’s secure Cloud-based monitoring system. The alert point is within the rubber lining layers and by calculating the use life to the point of alert, it’s possible to estimate exact life of the hose until the point of wearing out.

The alert point gives typically more reaction time with rubber hoses, but with CERAMIC lining and highly abrasive materials, the reaction time can be few days – and thus the information is critical. Teknikum’s CERAMIC lining itself allows 3-10 times longer life than a rubber hose or a steel pipe. When this long life solutions is combined with the Wireless Smart Hose system, industrial plants in Mining and Energy sector can operate on high performance risk-free.

“We are very excited to launch this new system and believe that it will solve critical operational issues and make plant management easier for our customers”, says Mr. Timo Kokkonen, Director of Teknikum  Hoses BU.

We don’t just move material from one maintenance stop to the next but help save the environment and customer costs in the long run by continuously developing our offering on a location-based approach.

A significant part of the added value is the continuous development of materials in-house.

– Timo Kokkonen, Director, Hoses BU

Bringing added value to various harsh operational environments

This new wireless monitoring system is especially designed for environments, where abrasive hoses are used. This includes Energy, Mining and other heavy industries. Some examples of the use cases are transfer of sand, rocks, minerals and granulates.

The most critical place for the abrasive material handling is an outer curve of a hose. Teknikum’s new Smart Hose monitoring solution offers various technical structures for it: according to customers’ needs, the monitoring cable can be built within one or two rubber layers and distributed even to various sectors. This allows the process owner to manage efficiently over the hoses’ life cycle – in some cases straight hoses it can be even turned 3 times during their use, to get most out of the inner lining.

Secure cloud-based monitoring enables fast off-site alerts and advanced material development

In the core of Teknikum’s IoT solution is its new cloud-based monitoring software. When data is received from site via the sensors and IoT Gateway, it’s processed withing the monitoring system. The alert points are defined together with the customer and when triggered, the system sends an alert to the customer. In addition, the system collects important wear monitoring data from the hose’s lining that allows continuous in-house material and product development for the customer’s operation environment.

“We don’t just move material from one maintenance stop to the next but help save the environment and customer costs in the long run by continuously developing our offering on a location-based approach. A significant part of the added value is the continuous development of materials in-house”, says Mr. Kokkonen.

» Teknikum is launching the new system at EuroMine expo, Skellefteå, SWEDEN 28 – 30 May 2024. Visit our team at booth #208 in Copper Hall and check out our Wireless Smart Hose system demo!

March 19, 2024 – Finland

Teknikum, a Finnish polymer technology company and pioneer in sustainable solutions, committed to Science Based Targets initiative in 2021. In May 2023, the SBTi organization approved Teknikum Group’s climate targets in accordance with 1.5°C emission scenarios and the Science Based Target initiative’s criteria and recommendations. Already by 2023, the company has achieved positive results towards carbon neutrality.

In 2023, Teknikum Group’s carbon footprint consists of 83% of scope 3 GHG emissions and 17% of scope 1-2 GHG emissions.

Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in 2023: -26% from 2020 base year

Teknikum Group commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2020 base year.

GHG emission categories 1 and 2 include direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the company’s operations. Teknikum Group achieved in reducing its emissions via limiting electricity consumption, purchasing greener energy and reducing the use of self-generated energy.

“Energy-saving measures paid off. We have replaced some equipment and machinery and installed energy-efficient lighting and insulation in factories. We also took steps to transfer to renewable energy in our energy purchasing” explains Mr. Esko Mäntyharju, Director, HSQE of Teknikum Group.

Scope 3 GHG emissions in 2023: -24% from 2020 base year

Teknikum is committed to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and capital goods by 25% by 2030 from a 2020 base year.

Scope 3 emissions are strongly associated with purchased products and services. With its own products, Teknikum is actively looking for suitable recycled and bio-based materials. Products like TEKNICROSS® railway rubber level crossing elements include recycled rubber. Teknikum also introduced industrial hoses made partly from recycled or bio-based rubber materials.

On customer-specific products the environmental impacts are considered via manufacturing process. It’s the whole group’s common goal to reduce scrap materials and recycle. Environmental management is also based on ISO 14001 in all locations.

Teknikum’s principles for good administration have been defined by the board and executive group. The purchase and sustainability policies ensure further development of responsible operations.

In 2023, Teknikum Group published renewed Teknikum Code of Conduct of Suppliers guidelines, which detail the expectations based on ESG standards. The current and future Teknikum suppliers need to confirm that they follow these guidelines in their own operations. Additionally, Teknikum audits its suppliers regularly.

“A cooperation with the suppliers plays an important role in implementing emission reduction measures in the supply chain,” says Mr. Mäntyharju.

Reaching the future 2030 SBTi goals

“In the next coming years, we will focus on continuous development according to our SBTi Roadmap. We have evaluated the possibilities of new energy sources for production needs. Also, in the name of energy efficiency there are plans for increasing heat recovery and reducing electricity & steam consumption”, tells Mr. Mäntyharju.

“The most important way to support our mission in Scope 3 GHG reduction is to enable the availability of new innovative, more sustainable products and solutions to our end-customers”, Mr. Mäntyharju says.

Teknikum Group will report on the progress of its climate work annually on its own communication channels.

Learn more: https://teknikum.com/sustainability/

Teknikum – a pioneer in sustainable polymer technology

Teknikum serves industrial customers in demanding customer-specific rubber, plastic, silicone and foam products. Its high-quality industrial hoses, competitive contract manufacturing services of molded products, and comprehensive rubber and mill lining services ensure efficient processes for customers. Teknikum’s factories and offices are located in Finland, Hungary and Germany. The Group’s operations are guided by three core values: safety, sustainability and sincerity.

www.teknikum.com

The largest industrial hose factory in the Nordic countries is located in Sastamala, Finland. Teknikum has been manufacturing industrial hoses for over 30 years and specializes in the needs of demanding industry. The development of rubber grades starts at the company’s own laboratory, and high-quality rubber grades are manufactured in Finland at the Kerava factory. For end users, Teknikum promises a very durable, environmentally friendly industrial hose for the transfer of various materials, suitable for either suction or delivery use.

New international growth due to innovations

Timo Kokkonen, Director of Teknikum Group’s Hose Business, looks happily at a new hose reel in the warehouse of the Sastamala hose factory.

“We have launched a new rubber grade for abrasive use. It includes 15% recycled rubber and 60% renewable rubber”, says Kokkonen. “As this new rubber quality is being put into production, we are able to offer a new, environmentally friendly option,” he continues.

Kokkonen knows that the need is real. In the construction and mining industry, customers have received the news of environmentally friendly products with great enthusiasm.

“The overall safety of the product includes the user’s experience and the product’s whole life cycle,” says Kokkonen. “By choosing a hose made in Finland, you can be sure that these aspects of the manufacturing are in order.”

The Teknikum CARBON™ work hose family is suitable for abrasive materials in suction and pressure use. The latest antistatic Teknikum CARBON Extra Light S hose is available with an outer diameter of 89 – 220 mm. The hose can be made to order with spiral-free cuffs to enable easy attachement. The hose is readily available from Teknikum dealers.

An expert in demanding fields

Teknikum specializes in abrasive hoses. The work hose series CARBON contains corrugated, flexible suction delivery hoses and light delivery hoses with a smooth surface. The newest addition to the product family is the antistatic Teknikum CARBON Extra Light S, which is specially designed work hose for vacuum trucks. The hose can be supplied with spriral-free cuffs enabling easy attachement.

Teknikum also serves the chemical and food industries. The versatile MULTI-TEK series is suitable for up to 98% of the most common industrial chemicals. Applications can be found e.g. from the process industry and facilities that require high hygiene. MULTI-TEK series hoses have a very durable EPDM outer surface and an inner surface protected by UPE plastic film. The hoses are suitable e.g. for industrial cleaning in the chemical, pharmaceutical and foodstuff industry.

Available from dealers in Europe

Teknikum hoses are available from experienced industrial retailers in Europe. In customer-specific projects, Teknikum also serves industrial plants and OEM’s directly. As a manufacturer, Teknikum is known from its  industry expertise and agility. In addition to hoses, Teknikum offers wide range of hose couplings.

Sales manager Jani Lampinen presents Teknikum GRANIT and TITAN series hose couplings.

Teknikum’s selection includes different and different-sized couplings not only for work hoses, but also for more robust material handling hoses.

December 20, 2023 – Sastamala, Finland 

Polish publicly traded company Sanok Rubber Company S.A. has signed an agreement on December 19, 2023, to acquire Teknikum Group Ltd. The acquisition includes the entire share capital of Teknikum and is part of Sanok Rubber’s broader strategic expansion.

Mr. Piotr Szamburski, CEO of Sanok Rubber, emphasizes that the acquisition strengthens the Polish company’s position in the market and opens up new business opportunities. “The expertise and strong presence of Teknikum in the industry support Sanok Rubber’s strategic objectives. The collaboration lays the foundation for growth and innovations that will benefit both parties,” comments Szamburski.

Mr. Jani Hämäläinen, CEO of Teknikum Group, sees the acquisition as an excellent opportunity to continue growth and expansion in the Scandinavian and European markets. “This provides Teknikum with an exceptional opportunity to continue its growth and expansion. Collaboration with Sanok Rubber strengthens our position and opens up new possibilities,” summarizes Hämäläinen.

Teknikum is a trusted brand for demanding industrial customers and OEM’s, offering profound expertise with its wear-resistant and environmentally friendly polymer solutions. As part of Sanok Rubber Company S.A., the company will continue providing world-class raw materials, reliable products, and the most efficient manufacturing processes to its customers.

The completion of the acquisition is expected in the coming months, marking a significant milestone for both companies as they aim to strengthen their positions in international markets.

Teknikum – provider of sustainable polymer technology

Teknikum serves industrial customers in need of reliable rubber, plastic, silicone, polyurethane, and foam solutions. Our factories and sales offices are located in Finland, Hungary and Germany. Teknikum’s offering includes pioneering wear-resistant industrial hoses, high-quality technical foam products, and comprehensive contract manufacturing services of the polymer industry. Our values ​​are safety, sustainability, and sincerity. More information: www.teknikum.com

Sanok Rubber Company S.A.

For over 90 years we have provided our clients with the highest-quality products, which comply with all the latest technological standards. We care about the environment and support local communities. We merge tradition with modern thinking every day. Sanok Rubber Company S.A. is the European leader in the field of rubber products, rubber-to-metal articles and combination of rubber with other materials for the automotive, construction, agriculture, pharmacy and household appliances. Sanok Rubber Company S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and employ more than 3000 people in Europe and North America. More about us: www.sanokrubber.com

September 6, 2023 – Sastamala, Finland

Free for immediate release

Teknikum Group manufactures industrial polymer products in Finland and Hungary. In 2021, the company made a commitment through the Science Based Targets initiative to reduce emissions by implementing measures that science dictates as necessary to avoid the devastating impacts of climate change on society and nature. The SBTi is a collaborative project between the CDP, the UN Global Compact initiative, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The project aims to involve companies in reducing global emissions to zero by 2050 at the latest and limiting global warming to 1.5°C. In May 2023, the SBTi organization approved Teknikum Group’s climate targets in accordance with 1.5°C emission scenarios and the Science Based Target initiative’s criteria and recommendations.

The green transition at the core of the business strategy

Teknikum Group’s mission is to lead the way in sustainable development in its sector. Its business strategy relies on the green transition and product development investments. Safe solutions in the polymer industry typically stem from materials development, which is one of Teknikum Group’s strengths.

“Teknikum’s Vammala and Kerava plants have developed rubber compounds since the 1950s, when the company was still part of the Nokia Group’s Technical Rubber business. In recent decades, our personnel have further developed materials expertise in several highly demanding application environments that are critical to the functions of society. These include material handling solutions in the rail, process and mining industries, for example. In addition, Teknikum manufactures personal protective equipment for the defense, security and construction sectors,” says Jani Hämäläinen, the CEO of Teknikum Group.

The Science Based Targets initiative proved to be the best tool for promoting product development. Several major industrial corporations in Finland and around the world have found its science-based calculation methods and indicators to be highly effective. Teknikum Group’s choice was also supported by the consistency of the methods and indicators and their comparability with the indicators used by important customer companies.

“The EU requires large companies to report on their emissions, but there is no actual obligation for the green transition. The company’s vision and level of ambition determine whether it beats its competitors in the market with new modern solutions. Teknikum aims to lead the way, so that we can help our European customers ensure safe and environmentally friendly processes in demanding operating environments,” says Hämäläinen.

Ambitious targets for all emission categories

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) is an internationally recognized accounting and reporting standard for determining and managing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the SBTi criteria, companies’ targets must cover GHGP emission categories scope 1 and 2, which include direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. Some companies must also set targets for scope 3 emissions, which result from the company’s operations, but the sources of emissions are not directly owned or controlled by the company.

Teknikum Group Ltd. Commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2020 base year. Teknikum Group Ltd. also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services and capital goods by 25% within the same timeframe.

Improvements in energy efficiency, use of renewable energy and cooperation with suppliers

Scope 3 is the largest source of emissions for Teknikum and many other industrial manufacturers. When calculating Teknikum Group’s key indicators, it became clear that most of its emissions were associated with purchased products and services.

“Cooperation with suppliers plays a key role in identifying emissions reduction opportunities and implementing reduction measures in the supply chain,” says Esko Mäntyharju, Director, HSQE, who is in charge of developing emission indicators at Teknikum Group.

“Effective development measures include promoting the procurement of materials with a lower carbon footprint, reducing transport emissions and optimizing packaging.”

In other emission categories, the most effective development measures are related to electricity consumption and the use of self-generated energy in particular.

“We will achieve concrete improvements through energy-saving measures such as the replacement of equipment and machinery, better insulation, and the installation of energy-efficient lighting. We will also need to transfer to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biogas or geothermal electricity to the extent that these energy sources are not yet used in our operations,” Mäntyharju explains.

Going forward, Teknikum Group will report on the progress of its climate work annually in its own communication channels and on the SBTi website at https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action#dashboard.

Teknikum Group is Sastamala’s largest employer and one of the region’s largest energy users. Its climate work has a significant impact on the implementation of the green transition in the Tampere Region and in the wider Finnish chemical industry.

Teknikum –  a pioneer in sustainable polymer technology

Teknikum serves industrial customers in demanding customer-specific rubber, plastic, silicone and foam products. Its high-quality industrial hoses, competitive contract manufacturing services of molded products, and comprehensive rubber and mill lining services ensure efficient processes for customers. Teknikum’s factories and offices are located in Finland, Hungary and Germany. The Group’s operations are guided by three core values: safety, sustainability and sincerity.

www.teknikum.com

Instagram: @ teknikumgroup

Photo: Maridav – stock.adobe.com