Parmaco Group, etusivu

SSAB and Parmaco team up to build the world’s first fossil-free steel concept building

SSAB and Parmaco have entered a fossil-free steel partnership, which includes an ambition to construct the world’s first concept building made of fossil-free steel in 2025. In this project, Parmaco intends to use pilot deliveries of fossil-free steel, developed with the HYBRIT® technology, throughout the entire structure. It would mark the first time all steel components in a building is made with SSAB’s fossil-free steel.

“Our collaboration with Parmaco represents an exciting opportunity to showcase the potential of fossil-free steel in the construction industry,” says Olavi Huhtala, EVP and Head of SSAB Europe. “With the HYBRIT technology, we remove one of the key problems with traditional steelmaking by largely eliminating fossil carbon emissions from the production process. Together with partners like Parmaco, we can reduce the climate impact from building material and show what is possible already now.”

Parmaco expects to start construction in early 2025, with completion later the same year. The building is intended to serve as a model for future sustainable construction projects worldwide, demonstrating that it is possible to meet the growing demands for urban development without fueling climate change.

Parmaco has long specialized in creating versatile spaces for schools, daycares, offices, residential complexes, and government facilities. Central to Parmaco’s success is its unique product, Fixcel, a cutting-edge steel cell that forms the frame of the buildings and has advantageous properties that support indoor air quality and low energy consumption.

“We are thrilled to partner with SSAB on this pioneering project,” says Jukka Joutsenkoski, CEO of Parmaco. “At Parmaco, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction. We have the technology ready and soon we will have the right material. The use of SSAB’s fossil-free steel in our Fixcel technology is a natural progression in our mission to create environmentally responsible buildings that do not compromise on quality or durability.”

The HYBRIT technology, developed by SSAB in partnership with LKAB and Vattenfall, replaces traditional coal with hydrogen and fossil-free electricity in the iron ore reduction process. The by-product is water instead of CO2 emissions. The fossil-free steel is a proof of concept from SSAB available for pilot deliveries to selected partners.  

Olavi Huhtala and Jukka Joutsenkoski

For further information, please contact:
Anna Molin, Press Officer at SSAB, anna.molin@ssab.com, +46 76 110 46 76
Anna Elo, Director, Marketing and Communications at Parmaco, anna.elo@parmaco.fi, +358 40 581 25 67

Parmaco acquired a new factory in Varkaus

Parmaco Oy expands its operations by acquiring a new factory property in Varkaus. The company has bought the former machine shop property of Sahala Works Oy for its production premises, where operations are scheduled to start in the last quarter of the year.

The expansion responds to Parmaco’s growing order volumes and the need to increase production capacity. “As volumes grow, we need more capacity and storage space. We are really happy and proud that our new factory is located in Varkaus. Skilled and motivated personnel are available in the Varkaus area. We want to be a trusted partner for municipalities and cities and a truly local operator,” says Parmaco Oy’s CEO, Jukka Joutsenkoski.

The new factory in Varkaus will offer flexibility, as different and larger modules can be manufactured in the property. The factory enables the production of both wooden and steel-framed modules, as well as the modernization of existing modules.

The company’s largest factory unit is located in Leppävirta, and with the new and nearby Varkaus factory, the company can combine the skills of the units and use the workforce flexibly between factories.

More information

Parmaco Group Oy

Jukka Joutsenkoski, CEO

Tel. +358 44 376 4422

jukka.joutsenkoski@parmaco.fi

 

www.parmaco.fi

We succeed together with our customers – 94% of end users are satisfied with our buildings

Our customer survey that was completed in spring 2024 shows that 94% of our customers are either very satisfied or fairly satisfied with us. We are proud of the results, as high customer satisfaction is the most important measure of our success.

Our customers tell us that their satisfaction builds upon the process experience with us. Smooth cooperation with the project manager and sales staff, and sticking to the agreed schedule, appear as important factors of a successful customer experience in the survey results. Our customers appreciate process know-how as a whole, starting from the sketch stage.

“You can see that they are experienced, know the processes and how to predict different situations.” –  End user 

The feedback given by our customers plays an important role in our operations, since our buildings are designed to meet each customer’s specific needs and the design work is carried out together with the customer. We strive to act as a reliable partner and develop our buildings based on feedback and authentic user experiences.

Customers expect partnership

The importance of partnership also emerges in our customers’ wishes and development proposals. The survey results show a need for support in commissioning the buildings, as well as a responsible person to turn to in every phase of the project, from the sales phase to the end of the project. These are concrete examples of customers’ needs for long-term support and trust in construction services.

We strive to meet our customers’ expectations by investing even more in the experience of partnership and joint development with our customers. The customers’ answers showed that they were satisfied with our expertise and experience, and our ability to foresee different situations. It is an honor for us to convey a feeling of certainty and professionalism, and the feedback given by our customers will help us succeed in this in the future as well.

Our sustainability program and steps towards CSRD reporting

At Parmaco, sustainability is at the core of our operations and our entire business model is based on circular economy principles: the same building is moved from one place to another in modules and reused as a school, a day care center or a health and social services building, for example, instead of being demolished.

But responsibility means much more than that. From 2025 onwards, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will bring more transparency to reporting and companies will report on their sustainability performance as part of their annual report. We have been systematically collecting data on emissions for a couple of years now and have set up a sustainability working group to produce the necessary calculations and gather the material for the report.

These projects have been actively promoted by Tommi Mehtonen, Development Manager, in the sustainability working group. Let’s ask Tommi what kind of projects are underway.

What has been done so far and what are the key findings?

“We have conducted sustainability calculations and carried out important analyses:

  • In 2022, we performed the first GHG (Green House Gas) Protocol Scope 1 and 2 carbon calculations (company’s own emissions) and in 2023 we added Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions in the value chain).
  • It should be noted that our own operations, Scope 1 and 2, account for only 3% of our total calculated emissions. The emissions from our value chain and rented premises, or Scope 3, account for 97% of our total emissions.
  • In addition, early this year we completed an independent, third-party verified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of our buildings, which we have used to calculate the company’s carbon handprint. The key finding of the LCA was that up to 72% of baseline emissions can be avoided by moving Parmaco’s building 3 times, to serve at a different location – instead of building a new building each time.
  • We have also recently completed the Double Materiality Analysis. The analysis helps us to identify which sustainability topics are most relevant to our business and to our customers. It tells us where it makes the most sense to focus our reporting and sustainability efforts and takes into account the social and governance (ESG) aspects of the environment. As a result of this analysis, we will focus our reporting and sustainability efforts on the following six topics:
  1. Climate change
  2. Circular Economy
  3. Own workforce
  4. Workers in the value chain
  5. Consumers and end users
  6. Business Conduct

What happens next?

” Next, we examine the compliance of our business operations with the EU taxonomy. The purpose of the taxonomy is to classify the key economic indicators related to the circular economy and sustainable development in our business so that their development can be monitored in the future. This is essential to provide comparable figures between companies from the point of view of sustainability, for example to ensure financing. We will also update our current sustainability strategy and the roadmap for its implementation.”

What particular moments of success do you think you have achieved so far?

Many great achievements come to mind, but I would highlight these two:

  1. In April, we were invited to the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) organized by Sitra (the Finnish Innovation fund) to present our business model based on the circular economy. At the event in Brussels, we were selected as one of the 30 most interesting circular economy companies in Europe.
  2. In May, we were the first in the world to achieve BREEAM In-Use-Outstanding certification for a school building we had built in Sweden.

I believe that both achievements reflect the level of ambition and commitment we have in terms of promoting sustainable development and bringing circular construction as a real alternative to traditional construction.”

A lot has been done and a lot of work remains to be done. How would you describe the current state of Parmaco’s sustainability journey?

“I think we have done a thorough groundwork for the future. We are now many steps closer, not only to producing the right type of sustainability report, but above all to building a truly more sustainable tomorrow, through concrete actions.”

Unique School Building in Götafors, Sweden Sets a New Standard for Sustainable Construction Globally

STOCKHOLM, May 27, 2024 – A new and unique school building in Götafors, constructed with innovative modular systems, has become the first school in the world to achieve the highest level of Outstanding in the BREEAM In-Use V.6 environmental certification. This accomplishment not only highlights the potential of modern modular construction but also sets a new standard for sustainable schools and public buildings in Sweden. 

By achieving the BREEAM In-Use Outstanding certification, Götafors School demonstrates that circular modular constructions can be transformed into modern, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly schools. This project inspires a more sustainable future for upcoming generations and sets a new benchmark for sustainable construction of public environments in Sweden. 

Parmaco, responsible for the construction, has leveraged its expertise to optimize the resources of Götafors School and minimize its environmental impact. With innovative solutions and technologies, the result is a school that is not only functional and beautiful but also provides a healthier and more eco-friendly environment for both students and educators. 

“This is an incredible achievement for everyone involved. By focusing on the right things and collaborating effectively, we have shown that it is possible to achieve exceptional results in sustainable development. Götafors School stands as a clear example of how innovative thinking and modern construction techniques with a focus on circularity can pave the way for a more sustainable future,” says Rikard Nyhrén, CEO of Parmaco Sweden. 

That a modular-built school achieves top scores in areas such as daylight optimization, energy efficiency, water management, and pollution control demonstrate not only a commitment to environmental sustainability but also directly contributes to a better indoor environment. These measures ensure a healthy and stimulating atmosphere that benefits both students and educators. Effective lighting and climate control, open spaces, and safety enhancements create an inviting and productive environment. 

“We are extremely proud of our new school, which has everything we wished for in an optimal work and learning environment for both students and teachers. The facilities are flexible, have good flow, and optimal sound and light levels, making it a dream to work and study in. We are already experiencing higher satisfaction, increased opportunities for quality teaching and learning, and better results,” says Maria Ekenskytt, Principal of Götafors School. 

A Leader in Sustainable Construction 

Götafors School has achieved exceptional results in all categories of the BREEAM In-Use certification, reflecting a commitment to high environmental standards. This award is not only a success for Parmaco and Hedström & Taube, who managed the certification, but also for the entire Swedish construction industry. It shows that Sweden is a leader in sustainable construction and that it is possible to create buildings that are both environmentally friendly and functional in both public and private sectors. 

 
For more information:  

Facts about BREEAM In-Use Certification

BREEAM In-Use is a global system for the environmental certification of existing buildings, administered by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). It is a robust and independent assessment of a building’s environmental performance, based on nine different categories:

1. Health and Wellbeing: Indoor environment, noise, visual comfort, air quality.

2. Energy: Energy consumption and carbon emissions, energy-related features.

3. Water: Water consumption and wastewater management.

4. Waste: Waste management and recycling.

5. Transport: Transport infrastructure and accessibility.

6. Materials: Material selection, procurement, and waste management.

7. Land Use and Ecology: Biodiversity, green spaces, pollution.

8. Management: Environmental management, maintenance, and monitoring.

9. Community Impact: Health and safety, security, local community engagement.

For each category, the building is awarded points based on how well it meets BREEAM’s requirements. The total score determines the certification level, ranging from Pass to Outstanding.

Parmaco Recognized Among Europe’s Top 30 Companies for Circular Solutions at World Circular Economy Forum

Parmaco, a Finnish leader in sustainable construction, was honored at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) in Brussels on April 15, 2024. The WCEF, a global initiative of Finland and Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, acknowledged Parmaco as one of Europe’s top 30 companies pioneering circular solutions. Parmaco’s model was introduced by Tomi Vittaniemi, Business Development Director.

Parmaco’s inclusion in this prestigious list is a testament to its innovative modular building solutions, which are adaptable, reusable, and designed to significantly reduce environmental impact. This approach directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and addresses the critical challenges of traditional construction practices.

“We are thrilled to be recognized at the WCEF among Europe’s leaders in circular economy solutions,” states Jukka Joutsenkoski, CEO of Parmaco. “This acknowledgment highlights the effectiveness of our business model in contributing to sustainable development.”

 

More info:

Permaco Group Oy

Jukka Joutsenkoski, CEO

Puh. 044 376 4422

jukka.joutsenkoski@parmaco.fi

www.parmaco.fi

Unpublished, printable images: anna.elo@parmaco.fi

 

About Parmaco:

Parmaco is a Finnish company that designs, manufactures and rents high-quality modular buildings that are tailored to the customer’s needs. The flexible rental concept offers a proactive, sustainable and risk-free alternative for solving different space needs. Rental schools, offices, daycare centers, health centers and hospitals offer modern, safe and comfortable solutions for people facing change. Parmaco’s offices are located in Tampere and Helsinki, Finland, as well as production facilities equally In Finland: Leppävirta, Pyhäjoki and Hämeenlinna. The company employs approximately 200 people and also operates in Sweden.

Happy International Women’s day!

Today, 8 March, International Women’s Day is celebrated. The day was established to serve the women’s rights movement and to bring special attention to gender equality.

Today we celebrate women at work! At Parmaco, we employ women in various roles, such as production, finance, design, HR, sales, purchasing and marketing.

Let us present two of them: Andrea Rados from Helsinki, Finland, and Kajsa Westberg Eriksson from our Stockholm office in Sweden. Andrea and Kajsa are architects and work in our design unit, which creates fresh, modern and well-functioning buildings in Parmaco that follow the principles of circular economy.

Let’s ask Andrea and Kajsa about their roles:

1.. What inspired you to pursue your current role, and what excites you the most about your work at Parmaco?

Andrea:

I started at Parmaco straight after graduating my master’s from Aarhus School of Architecture. What drew me to modular architecture was the was the way in which tectonics, the reusability aspect and mode of production impact the design so directly. The framework of the module gives my creativity guidelines to work with, which I enjoy. Close contact to our factories has taught me a lot about streamline processes and building in general. The atmosphere at Parmaco is warm and positive and I have lovely colleagues to rely on. There is a lot of international cooperation, which for me as someone interested in languages, is a definitive plus.

Kajsa:

I joined Parmaco just over a year and a half ago, fresh out of university. My daily inspiration comes from my incredible colleagues. Since starting, we’ve recruited people with amazing experiences and skills. It’s an honor to work alongside those who believe in our company and its future. The sense of possibilities and challenges pushes me to excel; I’m eager to contribute and grow. I’m also motivated by knowing that the processes I work with can be optimized, a crucial aspect of our ongoing growth.

2. Can you share a significant achievement or project you’ve worked on at Parmaco that you’re particularly proud of?

Andrea:

Because we often answer to the acute need of functional spaces for the client, the transition from design on the drawing board to finished building is relatively swift. Seeing one’s hard work come to fruition so quickly is one of the perks of working with a modular system. I have been a part of many projects here at Parmaco; schools and kindergartens mainly, but one project that particularly stands out is the Big Room-office building of the growing Laakso Hospital area. I was the architect in charge of the design, and it was inspiring working within the context of the historic hospital area. I take pride in the customer service aspect of my job and I´m always happiest when the customer is heard, their wishes met and so the building is well received.

Kajsa:

Just 30 working days into my time at Parmaco, we won a bid for our first office building in the Jönköping region, which I had designed. While not without its challenges, everything came together, and by April last year, the building was in use. This project was a significant kickoff for me, teaching me the valuable lessons that mistakes are part of the process and that I was in a place that encouraged development and responsibility. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind, involving me in 8 more projects and creating around 70 bids/sales drawings.

3. What advice would you give to other women looking to enter your field?

Andrea:

Especially as someone fresh from school, it can be hard trusting one’s own competences and knowledge; impostor syndrome is real. It´s important to keep in mind that no one enters a new position knowing everything and perfectly ready. When entering a new field, it is as important letting your interests guide you, as it is keeping an open mind towards learning new things, even about matters that might feel unrelated at the time. Architecture is a “mixed medium” field and I think the more varied her knowledge base, the better the architect.

Kajsa:

Above all, always believe in yourself and what you want to achieve. It’s impossible to predict who you’ll meet throughout your career and what thoughts, opinions, and ideas they might have. Being your biggest supporter is crucial, recognizing that knowledge is not tied to gender but to experience, that I could do just as good a job if given the same conditions, and that I will always follow my dreams regardless of what anyone else says. Also, ensure you contribute to creating a positive work environment for yourself. Being positive, understanding, and receptive increases the chances that your colleagues will treat you the same way.

With this interview, we would like to wish everyone a wonderful Women’s Day!

Parmaco bringing its dynamic rental model available in Germany with a majority acquisition of mobispace GmbH

Parmaco Oy, Finland’s leading provider of dynamic buildings for rent, has acquired a majority stake (51%) in mobispace GmbH, a German company specializing in modular design and construction.

Parmaco, a Finnish company, offers its public sector customers a flexible, high-quality rental building concept that enables municipalities and cities to adapt to demographic changes. The acquisition is part of Parmaco’s internationalization strategy and enables Parmaco to make its high-quality dynamic rental model available for German customers.

Mobispace is a growth company focusing on modular, high quality and sustainable wood design and construction, operating in the German market. Mobispace rents out modular buildings, such as schools, day-care centers and office buildings, to its customers.

“I am pleased to announce our acquisition and the beginning of a strong development with a leading wooden modular design and construction company mobispace”. There is a natural need for flexible solutions in modern societies, when forecasting space needs and planning the service network is challenging. Therefore, the demand for solutions of this kind is also growing in Central Europe. Special attention should be paid to the new and stricter construction criteria set by the European Union with regards to sustainable development. Parmaco’s service concept, in which buildings can be partially or fully moved and reused, for their original purpose, is fully based on the principles of circular economy. This enables municipalities and cities to build flexibly the needed spaces that meet tomorrow’s criteria already today. This acquisition opens up a great avenue together with mobispace to bring high value to German customers through dynamic space solutions, and also, acts as a proof of Parmaco’s value for new partners and further acquisitions in Central Europe, comments Jukka Joutsenkoski, CEO of Parmaco Group.

“This shareholding in mobispace is a great opportunity for us and a very significant milestone in mobispace’s journey. It gives us the opportunity to further develop our modular concept with a strong and experienced partner and to serve our extensive customer network better. Parmaco is not only a stable shareholder but also a true pioneer in the modular rental business and we see many synergies and cooperation opportunities that will benefit our customers,” says Christine Grimm, MD of mobispace.

More info

Parmaco Group Oy

Jukka Joutsenkoski, CEO

Puh. 044 376 4422

jukka.joutsenkoski@parmaco.fi

www.parmaco.fi

Unpublished, printable images: anna.elo@parmaco.fi

mobispace GmbH

Christine Grimm, MD

c.grimm@mobispace.de

www.mobispace.de

Offering healthy indoor air

We spend 90% of our time indoors, so naturally indoor air problems are one of the most talked about issues in our society today. Indoor air quality is not just about having clean air to breathe, but also about having appropriate spaces where air quality is systematically monitored throughout the life of the building.

The government’s ten-year Healthy Spaces 2028 programme aims to deliver healthy and safe buildings and satisfied users. Much good work is already being done in municipalities to improve indoor air quality. The municipalities’ own active involvement is therefore key to ensuring that in the future each and every one of us has access to healthy indoor spaces.

It is good that the issue is being raised and that the importance of clean indoor air is being taken seriously. The fact that people want to invest in and pay attention to healthy indoor air in buildings is good news for us,” says Pekka Inkinen, Business Director at Parmaco Health.

The Parmaco Health building is built for healthy indoor air

One of the most important wishes of our customers is clean and healthy indoor air. Our dynamic buildings are always designed with healthy indoor air in mind and according to their future use. We cross-test the compatibility of materials and chemicals in our buildings, taking into account changes in humidity, heat exchange and carbon dioxide levels.

The compatibility of building chemicals has a very significant impact on indoor air quality. All the materials we use are always cross-tested to ensure that no unwanted compounds are formed. The steel cell elements in the frame of our buildings contain no organic substances, so they do not provide favourable conditions for microbial growth and mould,” says Pekka Inkinen.

As the steel cell modules are manufactured in our factory, almost ready for use and protected from rain and other weather conditions, moisture cannot accumulate in the structures. Even after delivery, we continuously monitor the indoor air quality during use with sensors throughout the building.

Our modular building solution is based on the FIXCEL® steel cell, which rigid structure allows large spatial elements to be manufactured under factory conditions and transported to the building site without the risk of structural deterioration or mould. The Parmaco Health building is a functional, adaptable and high quality solution for schools, kindergartens and hospitals. The main advantages of steel cells are energy efficiency and clean indoor air, which are unmatched in Parmaco Health buildings.

A building that is carefully designed for its intended use, with healthy and safe indoor air, and that can be delivered in a short time, is an ecological, cost-effective, and sensible way to build.

The many lives of an adaptable building

A dynamic modular building is designed to be adaptable throughout its lifecycle, whether that means downsizing or expanding the building as space needs change – or ultimately reusing and recycling parts.

There is still much to be done to make industrial production more sustainable. That’s why we invest in regular product development and CO2 reduction in our day-to-day work, and work closely with our partners and customers to make more sustainable material choices. We invest in recyclable and high-quality building materials and aim to minimise waste at the design stage of a building.

In addition to energy efficiency, we reduce the carbon footprint over the lifetime of the building by using long-lasting building materials. So, it pays to reduce wear and tear and repair costs during use by choosing high quality materials. Examples include aluminium-framed windows and doors, durable facade and roof coatings, and easy-to-maintain ventilation systems. At the end of the lifecycle, we reduce the impact on the climate by reusing and recycling materials and components.

THE BENEFITS OF ADAPTIVE BUILDING

There is a lot of talk about avoiding temporary accommodation, which can cost millions of euros in the worst cases alone. With modern modular construction, you can create a permanent, high-quality building in the same time and for the same money. Adaptive construction can ensure the lifecycle ecology of buildings by cost-effectively constructing energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. Our buildings can be quickly downsized, upsized, and reused. A building can serve several different purposes during its lifecycle, for example, migration and ageing populations in cities and communities can affect the provision of services and further increase the need for space.

Our industrially manufactured steel cell modules are highly airtight, which means that less energy than usual is used to heat the buildings. Our buildings are well below the requirements of the best energy class A. And let’s not forget that energy efficiency is also affected by wasted space. Modular construction is the best option when designing buildings to maximise the use of space and minimise waste.

All our buildings, such as day-care centres, schools, and hospitals, have in common exceptionally low energy consumption, safe indoor air, good sound insulation and flexibility. Our rapid construction techniques mean that a new building can be built in a matter of months, eliminating the need for temporary space, and saving unnecessary costs.

Read more about our references.