Peat production (milled peat)
BALTIC BIOENERGY IS BOOMING
Vapo Group is the Baltic Sea region’s foremost bioenergy expert. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to Reijo Vatanen, communications director of this future-focused company to find out more.
Pellet factory in Forssa
T
he Finnish-based Vapo Group is a powerful force in the ever-increasing biofuels market worldwide, with the market leading place across its native Baltic region and a growing presence throughout Europe. The Group comprises Vapo Biofuels, Vapo Bioheat, Vapo Timber Oy, Vapo Environment and Kekkilä Oy, all of which come together to offer a range of responsible energy services. The biofuels, heat services, electricity, peat products, waste treatment, compost products, sawn goods and peat machines delivered by the Vapo Group are all environmentally focused, enabling the company to become the Baltic Sea region’s leading bioenergy expert. The Group’s main focus is producing and delivering biofuels in a responsible manner
78 Industry Europe
across the Baltic region, with considerable investment allowing it to become the largest producer of peat pellets in Europe. Communications director Reijo Vatanen told Industry Europe, “Pellets are a great source of environmentally friendly heat, and so it makes perfect sense that they are increasingly popular across Europe, especially in the Baltic where we are well-known for taking ecologically sustainable solutions very seriously.”
Strong financial performance
Partly owned by the Finnish government, the Vapo Group posted a 2010 turnover of €719.5 million, with an operating profit of €39.1 million, which was an increase on 2009 largely thanks to a favourable market for
