The green transition brings new aspects to the designer’s work
A sustainable company takes into account the impact of its operations on the environment, society, and individuals. At Comatec Group, sustainability is reflected in actions at all levels of the company: as part of the designing in the technology and machine building industry, in expert services, and in the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of our own operations.
The green transition in the manufacturing and transportation sectors has brought new aspects to the designers’ work – sustainability must be considered as part of electrical, automation, and mechanical design, regardless of the industry. At Comatec, we have embraced these new customer needs with enthusiasm.
“As part of our design work, we produce calculation-based information, thereby helping our customers identify and reduce the environmental impact of their products”, says Aleksi Surakka, Team Leader of Comatec’s sustainability services.
A wide coverage of services for different industries
We have been involved in developing numerous solutions that reduce our customers’ carbon footprint. For example, the shore-side electricity system designed for Vuosaari Harbor replaces the electricity produced by diesel-powered auxiliary engines, enabling a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Upgrading the ferry operating between Nauvo and Korppoo into a battery-powered hybrid ferry supports greener and more sustainable ferry transport. Numerous electrification projects for vehicles and mobile machinery are a part of the green transition in transport and industry.
“Nowadays, many design assignments are based on reducing the environmental impact of a product or system or optimising its life cycle functions. Sustainability is already as much a part of product development as for example, mechanical durability or electrical safety. Sustainability is therefore not a separate part of design work, but rather an important parameter to be evaluated. Using calculations, we can for example show how replacing a single raw material or component with another, or optimising a product’s structure, affects its carbon footprint, production costs, and lifetime”, Surakka explains.
Expert services support client companies’ sustainability goals
In addition to mechanical, electrical, and automation design, we offer expert services that support sustainability development, such as calculating total product life cycle costs, reviewing compliance, designing for use and maintenance, and calculating environmental impacts.
“In a typical project, we start by mapping out the product’s life cycle: what materials are used in production, where and how it is produced, how the product is used and maintained, and finally, how it is handled at the end of its life cycle. In addition, we can inspect existing circular economy models, such as remanufacturing, or help our customers develop such processes. We act as consultants in demanding investments, comparisons of alternative solutions, and the tendering process. Sustainability always involves complex entities in which many issues are linked to each other”, Surakka says.
Sustainability in our own business is part of competitiveness
Sustainability is also reflected in the development of our own operations. The carbon footprint of our expert organisation is relatively small, but we still make several environmental choices every day: we purchase fossil-free electricity, optimize the life cycle of our work equipment and recycle it, and regularly review our office space needs.
“We believe that, in addition to high-level design expertise, sustainability is a factor that increases competitiveness, and we are committed to developing sustainability in our own operations. For example, we have calculated our carbon footprint for several years now – for the first time at the group level – and we have also published our own sustainability report in accordance with the European VSME standard”, says Comatec Group’s Sustainability Officer Salla Hanhinen.
“For us, sustainability also means social and economic sustainability. We have always taken pride in fulfilling our responsibilities as an employer. We are also proud that our employees enjoy working for us – in addition to rewarding employees for decades of service each year, we train new talent for the industry and take care of our staff’s well-being”, Hanhinen adds.
Transparency builds trust
It is important to us that our customers can trust Comatec as a responsible partner – not just in words, but in deeds. Transparency throughout the supply chain is important. Our customers are increasingly interested in the sustainability of Comatec and our subcontractors.
“Transparency increases trust in both directions. Through responsible actions and choices, we want to demonstrate that we are the first choice for industrial design and consulting services, in line with our vision”, Hanhinen sums up.
”We are committed to fulfilling our responsibilities without compromise – high-quality design and customer service are promises we deliver on each and every day.”
– Kari Ollila, Chair of Comatec Group’s Board.
The article was published in Tekniikka & Talous 19.9.2025.
