October 27, 2009
Russian journalists found out more about Finnish cleantech expertise on a three-day press trip held on 21-23 October 2009.
Representatives of the Russian press included Expert North West, Eho Moskvy Spb, Kommersant Daily, Rynok Elektrotehniki, Delovoi Peterburg, and Ekologiya i pravo.
Some of the media were newspapers focusing on the environment and technology while others were general and economic media. For example, Expert is one of the most influential analytical publications in Russia, with a main target group of businessmen and decision-makers. On the other hand, Kommersant Daily, which was established in 1989, is the first independent daily newspaper for economic decision-makers to address corporate and economic life in a broad manner.
"The Russian press is increasingly interested in energy efficiency and clean technologies, mainly because Russia is participating in the Copenhagen negotiations in December. However, everyone, including journalists, is taking a very skeptical attitude towards the negotiations. After all, signing the Kyoto Accord didn't bring about any changes. I really can't say what the outcome of a new agreement might be," says Anna Geroeva from Kommersant Daily.
Incredible opportunities in Russia
The visit began with a general introduction to the Finnish cleantech sector, followed by presentations by Cleantech Finland member companies. Preseco, Onninen, Kemira, and Wärtsilä see Russia as an outstanding opportunity.
"Preseco considers the markets of Northwest Russia to be particularly promising. Onninen, our partner in Russia, provides us with an important competitive edge because a strong local partner is of absolute importance in every market," explains Heikki Pulkkanen, Sales Manager at Preseco Oy.
"At this time, there are more than 60 designated water treatment sites in Northwest Russia, and this alone constitutes a potential market of over EUR 100 million. Even a small slice of this big cake is significant," continues Risto Pasanen, who is responsible for the Infra business segment at Onninen.
Many of the companies taking part in the visit have a long history in the Russian market, such as Wärtsilä. The company has operated in the region for over 100 years, delivering more than 2,000 motors for ships and power plants. Its customers include companies as large as the energy giant Lukoil.
"At this point in time, Russia uses 180 billion cubic meters of gas per year for heating purposes. Joint production and energy-efficient solutions could help to cut that figure by 50 billion cubic meters, which is equivalent to the annual gas consumption in France, for example," says Harry Lindroos, Wärtsilä's Sales Director for Eastern Europe.
Tuomo Keskinen, who is Kemira's Russian Director for the Paper and Municipal & Industrial segments, emphasizes the importance of the company's established position in Russia.
"We've been operating in Russia since the 1990s and we have a solid relationship with Russia's largest pulp and paper manufacturers. We have also been an important supplier of water treatment solutions for municipalities and local industry. We recently introduced ferrous sulfate to the Russian market, which is affordable and easy to add to municipal treatment processes. This substance makes it possible to reduce the phosphorous concentration in wastewater to the level recommended by international organizations, such as the Helsinki Commission."
Puzair and Desinfinator, both of which specialize in air purification, see the Russian market as a bright spot because there is growing demand in Russia for proven technologies that are extensively used in the air purification and clean air sector all over the world. In addition, both companies have well-established business operations in the region. The other Cleantech Finland companies participating in the visit were Waterix, Beneq, Vacon, Metso, Halton, and Oilon.
