Cleantech Finland

July 01, 2010

Start your engines for better air quality!

Posted by Markku Hakkarainen

When I took the post of Proventia CEO a month ago, I came to lead a company that has had great success stories recently with the tens of thousands of exhaust gas purifiers delivered for Asian and US clean air projects. A remarkable achievement for a small company with headquarters in Oulunsalo – far away from the global emission control markets. Now, as the potential market for the off-road machine industry is rapidly growing, with new legislation in the EU and the US coming into force, we at Proventia must step up with our own strengths: diverse experience, innovative technology, dedicated professionals, flexibility and, above all, the ability to develop and apply new operating approaches in serving global customers – all of these will be keys to success in the future.

What makes the emission control business so interesting is that the most significant market drivers, without any doubt, are legislation and politics! My previous base for instance, was in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the US, thanks to President Obama’s greener environmental policy. The new US president gave a nice boost to retrofit projects in the US last year. Behind the politics are always people and a growing awareness of adverse health and environmental effects of diesel emissions.  Cities in Asia, the US, Europe, and in our neighboring countries Sweden, Norway and Denmark, have all established hundreds of what are known as Low Emission Zones. Entering these zones is free only for the vehicles that comply with the local emission restrictions.   Unfortunately, when it comes to reducing emissions through legislation, we Finns have not been the forerunners – so far.

Some weeks ago Proventia launched the Emission Control ShowTruck, which will tour Europe with the mission of increasing public awareness of emission cleaning possibilities.  On a beautiful Friday in May, the Proventia truck was parked in front of the Finnish Parliament House in Helsinki, where the decision makers had an opportunity to acquaint themselves with emission control technologies. At the moment the truck is touring Denmark, from where it will continue to Germany. 

The latest research shows that the diesel pollutant, particulate matter, is in fact the second most potent global warming agent after carbon dioxide. Whereas carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for up to a hundred years, particulates stay in the atmosphere for only a few weeks. This means that reducing particulate matter has an immediate effect on air quality, so let’s reduce these particulates and other diesel pollutants as well! Cost-effective means are available.

We at Proventia work for clean air. Slowing down climate change is our global target. Clean air is everyone’s right!

Markku Hakkarainen
President & CEO
Proventia Group
www.proventia.fi