Finnish low-carbon construction solutions have a lot to gain on international markets
The crisis in the construction sector makes it even more essential for companies to look for new business opportunities in international markets. According to our market research, growth opportunities for Finnish export companies are significant, says Kari Laine, who leads the RRF export program for low-carbon construction at Business Finland.
Business Finland’s ongoing RRF export programme for low-carbon construction (2022–2024) aims to support Finnish export companies in international growth. In addition to the global market survey conducted under the programme in 2022, we have prepared separate market reviews for 21 markets, taking the export priorities of the companies involved into account. All market reviews were carried out between 2022 and 2023.
“Our fresh market data is a significant business benefit for the companies involved in the programme. Each market-specific survey is usually followed by a visit to the market in question by a group of companies. The visits are prepared and implemented in close cooperation with a local Business Finland expert. The purpose of the group visit is to meet local leading property developers, architects, construction companies and construction companies, technical designers and property owners,” Laine explains.
The companies have mentioned market reviews, pre-arranged negotiations with local companies and new contacts as direct business benefits offered by the programme. Above all, the export programme for low-carbon construction offers the companies involved tangible help in conducting international business, says Laine.
“The most significant benefit for us has been face-to-face discussions with potential partners and customers. We focus on residential construction, and Business Finland’s experts have extensive experience of this line of business,” says Jari Miettinen, Director of International Growth and Responsibility at Lumon International.
“Kontio is active in utilising export opportunities, and we are constantly fine-tuning the operations of our international partners. Business Finland’s low-carbon construction export programme has given us an excellent framework for this. It has opened important doors for us that would have been almost impossible for a single company to open. We have been able to focus on growing our business and getting the most out of our operations”, says Hanna Haipus, Director of B2B Business at Kontiotuote Oy.
The most important policies and decisions concerning the RRF export programme for low-carbon construction are always made in cooperation with the companies involved. In 2023, a total of 23 visits by groups of companies was carried out in the programme, involving more than 60 Finnish export companies. The same pace will continue towards the end of 2024. Business Finland’s close cooperation with embassies creates a distinctive negotiation environment that is demonstrably of great interest to stakeholders. The companies involved in the export programme form its core: they are the offering being actively marketed. With the help of market reviews and local Business Finland experts, we identify business opportunities for companies, while the group visits by companies are a systematic way to facilitate negotiations. All this is also supported by marketing, lead generation, and PR and media measures, Laine says.
In 2023, a total of 10 lead generation campaigns was carried out in this export programme in different market areas, including Poland, Germany, Spain, France and the UK. Activities to generate PR and media contacts within the industry were tested in Germany and Sweden. Business Finland’s industry-specific programmes have been designed to tangibly address global challenges with the products, services and solutions of the most innovative Finnish companies.
The Kestävää kasvua rakennusalalta podcast (Sustainable Growth from the construction industry) gives tangible tips for construction companies
The three-episode PODCAST concerning the real estate and construction sector is aimed at construction companies and stakeholders. The first episode, due to be published on 12 September will cover a wide range of business opportunities in the French market. The next episodes will concern the United States and Spain. The podcast’s partners are KIRAHub, the Ministry of the Environment and Green Building Council Finland.
- CO2 emissions from construction are huge, which makes sustainable and more environmentally friendly solutions critical. Companies participating in Business Finland’s low-carbon construction export programme represent four different growth areas within the industry:
- Energy-efficient solutions and optimisation of energy use
- Low-carbon building materials
- Digital planning and construction processes
- Data and tools for maintaining the built environment, for life cycle management and for a smooth everyday life
The growth areas are based on the common vision of the entire construction sector, a report on the KIRA Growth Program published in 2022 by the KIRA forum consisting of Finnish real estate and construction organizations.
Finnish companies involved in the low-carbon construction program
The Kestävää kasvua rakennusalalta podcast will be available here and elsewhere on 12 September at 12:00 p.m.
RRF and Sustainable Growth Program for Finland
More information
Kari Laine
Business Finland
Senior Advisor
Low Carbon Built Environment, RRF Export Program
+358 50 444 9151
kari.laine (at) businessfinland.fi
Jari Miettinen
Lumon International
Director of International Growth and Responsibility
+358 400 817 341
jari.miettinen (at) lumon.com
Hanna Haipus
Kontiotuote Oy
Director of B2B Business
+358 50 408 5073
hanna.haipus (at) kontio.fi
Maria Arruda
Business Finland
Head of Communications
+358 400 933 913
maria.arruda (at) businessfinland.fi
Business Finland is a Finnish public operator that provides innovation funding and internationalisation services, promotes tourism and investments, and attracts talent to Finland. The organisation employs 760 specialists at 37 locations around the world and in 16 offices in Finland. Business Finland is part of the Team Finland network. www.businessfinland.fi
