The European Commission has recognized the central role of cities in combating climate change and also involving citizens in it. The European Union sought for pioneer cities in its new Mission program to aim for climate contracts of the European Union and the cities.

Lehmus Roastery is a small roastery in Lappeenranta that has been roasting coffee in an old storehouse building on the shore of Lake Saimaa since 2016. All of the roastery’s coffees are made responsibly and offer special flavours for customers to enjoy.

Espoo-based developer of biotechnology and circular-economy innovations Nordic Bioproducts Group is investing around EUR 30 million in the construction of a new pilot plant, which is due to open in the Harapainen district of Lappeenranta in early 2023. Designing and building the plant is the responsibility of Lappeenranta-based Fiber-X Finland.

The Cata3Pult project has a goal to develop overall six business cases in the following substantial focuses:

Improving the energy and eco-efficiency of the private housing stock of St. Petersburg by reducing the consumption of natural resources for lighting and heating, and by improving the efficiency of solid waste management.

 Reducing the environmental load of transport both in St. Petersburg and in Southeast Finland.

Reducing the consumption of primary natural materials by putting the circular economy principles into practice. 

Aurelia Turbines, headquartered in Lappeenranta, was founded eight years ago and manufactures small gas turbines for the needs of industry. The turbines have been designed to use hydrogen as well as biogas, synthetic gas and other renewable and non-standard fuels.

Concerns about the climate have brought hydrogen to the fore because it can be used to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenreality Network (GRN), a business-driven energy and green technology cluster in South Karelia, has been accepted as a member of the exclusive International Cleantech Network (ICN). The GRN coordinator, Development Manager Markku Mäki-Hokkonen sees the cluster’s ICN membership as a significant recognition of southeast Finland’s green electricity and environmental know-how.

The press release is an excerpt from Mayor Kimmo Jarva’s speech at the ending ceremony of the Green Leaf year on 10 December 2021, with partners and participants from the year in attendance.

The European Green Leaf Award year 2021 has been active in the City of Lappeenranta. The ambitious climate work in Lappeenranta continues although the city’s 2021 European Green Leaf Award year is ending soon. In the award year’s closing event on December 10th, it is time to turn a new leaf and look forward to the future.  

An international look into the future 

Yaskawa is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial robots in the world. The new custom-built laser welding unit delivered to Metso Outotec, which is valued at approximately EUR 1 million, is a natural part of the centre’s long-term development.  The City of Lappeenranta welcomes the investment in sustainable technology.

Metso Outotec’s Lappeenranta unit has a long legacy of supplying filtration technology to heavy industry.

On the 13th and 14th of September, the City of Lappeenranta hosts Future Energy Solutions Conference, a high-level event related to green electrification and hydrogen economy. The event demonstrates how to transform air and water into fuels, chemicals, materials and even food. Future Energy Solutions is a hybrid event online and at the Lappeenranta City Hall.