Fortum to collaborate with Fiskars Group in commercial production of the hands-free handle, preventing the spread of infections
FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 15.6.2020
The Fortum-developed hands-free handle, which helps prevent the spread of infections, is moving into commercial production and sales through collaboration between Fortum and Fiskars Group. The innovative handle made from Fortum Circo® recycled plastic makes it possible to open a door with your arm. The door-handle supplement, which attaches to a door, was piloted in spring with a grocery store and was found to clearly reduce hand contact with surfaces. The handle has attracted both domestic and international interest among trade.
Fiskars Group is responsible for the further development, manufacturing and sales of the door handle, previously known as Fortum Vipu. Commercial production and international sales of the handle will start during the summer. The handle will be manufactured in Finland at Fiskars Group’s Billnäs plant in Raseborg. It is made from Fortum Circo® recycled plastic produced at Fortum’s Riihimäki plastics refinery from domestic consumer plastic packaging waste.
"We are very pleased to be able to work with a well-known and respected company such as Fiskars Group. The handle is a time-appropriate, practical application that contributes to the versatility of recycled plastic. At the same time, cooperation with Fiskars Group is a great example of an exceptionally agile collaboration between two companies," says Kalle Saarimaa, Vice President, Recycling & Waste at Fortum.
Fiskars Group will further develop the design, attachability and usability of the handle so that it can be used with a wide range of different types of doors in various public spaces.
"Our goal is for people to be able to take care of their everyday chores more safely. We are keen to work together on this fast progressing initiative and are happy to use our expertise in this exceptional situation. We are exploring new business opportunities created by a circular economy and looking for solutions to extend the life cycle of materials. The recycled plastic of the handle provides interesting opportunities for this," says Pekka Salmi, VP, Sales, Finland, Russia & Baltics at Fiskars Group.
Fortum Corporation
Group Communications
Download media kit: https://mediabank.fortum.com/l/sRWRZrC5xxBL
Further information:
Anniina Rasmus, Brand Sales Manager, Fortum Circo®, +358 400 815 484, anniina.rasmus@fortum.com
Jenni Marsio, Communications Manager, Fiskars Group, +358 45 636 0400, jenni.marsio@fiskars.com
Fortum Circo® - Recycled Plastics
Fortum Circo® is a plastic recyclate produced from post-consumer plastic waste. With consistent and high quality, versatility and solid availability, Fortum Circo® recycled plastic can be used in a wide variety of products – from household appliances to industrial and commercial films and blow-moulded articles. Fortum Circo® is made with no compromises: it is a safe and reliable solution for sustainable plastics production. https://www.fortum.com/circo
Fiskars Group
Fiskars Group’s vision is to create a positive, lasting impact on our quality of life. Our brands Fiskars, Gerber, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Waterford, and Wedgwood are present in people’s everyday lives – at home, in the garden, and outdoors. This gives us an opportunity to make the everyday extraordinary today, and for future generations.
We employ approximately 7,000 people in 30 countries, and our products are available in more than 100 countries. Our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (FSKRS). Please visit us at www.fiskarsgroup.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @fiskarsgroup.
Fortum
Fortum is a European energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. We provide our customers with electricity, gas, heating and cooling as well as smart solutions to improve resource efficiency. We want to engage our customers and society to join the change for a cleaner world. Together with our subsidiary Uniper, we are the third largest producer of CO2-free electricity in Europe. With approximately 19,000 professionals and a combined balance sheet of approximately EUR 69 billion, we have the scale, competence and resources to grow and to drive the energy transition forward. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki and Uniper's share on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. www.fortum.com
