Sustainably strategic business

As the need for sustainability intensifies, are our current business models agile enough to adapt? What regenerative models are emerging, empowering companies to make a greater impact and embed sustainability into the core of their strategies? 

Sustainability is no longer a mere add-on but a key driver of modern business success. How have companies evolved through this transformation, and what new sustainability KPIs are shaping their goals? From reducing emissions to enhancing resource efficiency, we’ll examine how this shift is being implemented in real-world practices, ensuring businesses can thrive while leading the charge toward greener futures. 

The question isn’t just about reducing environmental impact, but how companies can create “more with the same” resources. Why are value chains becoming more local, and how can this shift accelerate green transformation? Could new partner ecosystems be the key to speeding up progress and helping companies not just adapt but drive meaningful change across industries? 

These among many other are topics we would like to shed light of the future of Sustainable business.  

KEYNOTE
Mr Paavo Ritala

Paavo Ritala is a Professor of Strategy and Innovation at the Business School at LUT University, Finland. His main research themes include business model innovation for circular and regenerative economy, industrial digital transformation, as well as inter-organizational collaboration via networks, platforms, and ecosystems.  

His research has been published in leading academic outlets such as Journal of Management, Research Policy, Academy of Management Perspectives, and California Management Review. He is closely involved with business practice through research projects, executive and professional education programs, and in speaker and advisory roles.  

Panelists

Lauri Larvus, Senior Sustainability Advisor

Ville Halttunen, CFO, Raute

Pauls Abele, CFO, Latvijas Finieris

Circular future of veneer-based products

As we strive toward truly carbon-positive end products, we ask: how close are we to achieving this vision? What circular practices are emerging within our value chains, and what new opportunities do these practices unlock for sustainable growth? 

Advances in bioadhesives and other “green chemistry” solutions are enhancing the circularity of veneer-based products, but how much further can we push these innovations? What new demands will the circular economy place on future research, production technology, and cross-industry collaboration? Are we ready to rethink production lifecycles to minimize waste, optimize reuse, and develop technologies that stand the test of time? 

Looking forward, how can we make engineered wood-based products more recyclable and reusable? Will product innovations, perhaps developed with partners from outside the wood industry, hold the key to long-living, easily recoverable solutions that reshape the market? And what possibilities—and challenges—lie ahead for creating products designed with circularity at their core? 

These among many other are topics we would like to shed light on the future of veneer-based products. 

KEYNOTE
Ms Inka Orko

Ms. Inka Orko works at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland as Head of Business Development in Sustainable products and processes. She holds MSc and Licentiate of Science degrees from Helsinki University of Technology in environmental engineering and pulping technology.

Inka is a tech developer and advocate for circular economy and sustainability. She chairs the FINNPASS national digital product passport project and the Helsinki-Uusimaa Circular Hub initiative. Inka participates in various national working groups and has developed circular economy projects, including the EU project tExtended and a Circular Design program. Her circular economy publications cover topics such as circular data and ecosystems, and technology concepts development.

Panelists

Anuj Kumar, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Ilpo Käki, Head of Product Management, Raute

Laura Mattila, Vice President, Kerto LVL Sales, Metsä Group

Mikko Leino, Director, Wood Construction Development, SRV

Future EWP Mills

As global markets demand both sustainability and performance, how can we reduce our carbon footprint and optimize resource efficiency without sacrificing competitiveness? Can smart grids, green energy storage, and energy self-sufficiency pave the way for net-zero production in our mills? 

Today’s end customers expect more than just quality products—they seek transparency in every step of the supply chain, from certified raw materials to traceable, eco-friendly end products. But what does this mean for the wood-based panel industry, where production efficiency, cost management, and sustainable practices must work hand in hand? 

How will digitalization revolutionize our production lines, improve safety, and create attractive, future-proof workplaces for the next generation of talent? Can we integrate smart decision-making tools that allow leaders to think “green” while balancing the bottom line? 

These among many others are topics we would like to shed light on the future of EWP Mills.  

PANEL DISCUSSION