Destia’s Marja-Terttu Sikiö: Environmental issues and sustainability are increasingly important themes in the planning of infrastructure projects

Destia’s Marja-Terttu Sikiö: Environmental issues and sustainability are increasingly important themes in the planning of infrastructure projects

The infrastructure sector is one of the most-polluting industries worldwide. The majority of emissions occur after commissioning, but the construction itself also has an impact on the environment.

Regardless of the sector, environmental issues and sustainability targets are becoming increasingly important topics in conversations, and the bar has been set high. In infrastructure construction, achieving these targets and reducing emissions means new technological and materials options need to be explored, and that procedures need to be changed to a certain extent. Digitalization is also expected to help mitigate the environmental impact of construction. Finland has a good starting point for this, as much effort has been put into digitizing infrastructure over the past 10 years.

To achieve sustainability in infrastructure construction, we need to think holistically. Destia, for example, has a long tradition of caring for social sustainability, including occupational safety and employee well-being. However, sustainability is becoming a more widespread topic across the sector, and there is ever-growing talk about emissions and the environmental impact as a whole.

We interviewed Destia’s Marja-Terttu Sikiö to see how she sees the conversation around the topic and what could be done to promote change.

How do you see the present situation in the construction sector?

I see it as very positive in the sense that environmental issues and sustainability, such as climate work, are increasingly accounted for in projects, including in municipal development projects. For Destia, social sustainability issues, such as occupational safety and employee well-being, have long been important themes.

Do you see something in the present situation that prevents or hinders progress?

I think the main obstacle is lack of knowledge and bold experiments on a practical level. Of course, when it comes to large projects and long-lasting structures, we’re bound to practice some caution. To make progress in the sector, more examples of successful projects, as well as challenges and areas for improvement, are needed. We also need more companies, municipalities, and people who are willing to embrace change and act as pioneers.

How do you think the situation will develop in the future?

I believe there will be an even wider selection of requirements and perspectives of sustainability that need to be taken into account in new projects. New practices will first be introduced in larger pioneering projects, such as alliance projects. They offer a good opportunity to do things in a new way, with close cooperation between the different actors. Best practices will then spread to other projects as a result of the pioneers’ success.

What do you think are the key factors in bringing about change and controlling emissions?

The key is developing and deploying skills, competences, and new practices through pilot projects. Furthermore, with digitalization, we have the potential to significantly expand the knowledge base. Considering transport emissions, most of the emissions of transport infrastructure occur during use. This also applies to light rail projects. These emissions will be reduced by advances in vehicle technology and electricity generation methods.

Apart from the operational phase, the majority of emissions are generated by a few materials, such as steel, concrete, and asphalt. These emissions can be reduced by using recycled raw materials. The choice of worksite machinery and transport equipment also matters. More integration of data collection across the entire production chain and the use of this data for planning and implementing emission reductions is still needed on worksites.

 

Marja-Terttu Sikiö has been working for Destia’s Design and Expert Services for 14 years. Currently, she works as a Project and Team Leader in the Environmental Assessment Department.

Destia

Destia is Finland’s largest operator in the infrastructure sector and part of the international Colas Group. The company designs, builds, and maintains infrastructure necessary for a well-functioning society. This includes electricity grids, bridges, roads, and railways. Destia improves cities by developing telematics and lighting solutions, and by offering a wide range of services for transport and infrastructure asset management.

Changing from guessing to controlling emissions

Soon, we’ll be able to improve how we control emissions by making sure we know what has been emitted. To do this, we need to measure them, which will help us meet the carbon net zero aims for building infrastructure.

We’re working harder to create ways to reach our carbon neutrality goals. A big part of this effort is creating systems that track emissions using information from the production process.

Read more

Jere Syrjälä
March 21, 2023

 

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Master Infrakit OFFICE and Mobile browser version with our comprehensive manual

Master Infrakit OFFICE and Mobile browser version with our comprehensive manual

We’re excited to announce that, as requested by our loyal users, we’ve published a comprehensive manual for Infrakit OFFICE and Mobile browser version! These resources have been designed to help you get the most out of your Infrakit experience, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned user. With this manual, you can learn everything there is to know about our platform, from logging in to utilizing the more advanced features. Let’s dive into what you can expect from the manual.

Getting started: logging in and settings

Infrakit is all about ease of use, and our manual reflects that. The first sections of the manual walks you through the simple process of logging in and adjusting your settings. This ensures that you can start using Infrakit as quickly as possible, tailoring the platform to your specific needs.

Exploring functions and features

The manual is organized by topic, making it easy to find the information you’re looking for. It delves into the functions and features of various pages and tabs within the Infrakit platform, helping you navigate the interface with confidence. You’ll learn how to control models, documents, and photos, as well as how to work with as-builts, equipment, and section views.

Saved views: a powerful tool

One particularly useful feature that the manual covers is the concept of saved views. This powerful tool allows you to store customized views of your project data, enabling you to quickly access the information that’s most relevant to you. The manual provides step-by-step instructions on how to create, manage, and share these saved views, streamlining your workflow and making collaboration a breeze.

Boost your productivity with Infrakit

Infrakit is designed to help you work faster and more productively, no matter your role in the infrastructure construction project. Our platform opens up new avenues for collaboration, ensuring that everyone on your team is on the same page. With our comprehensive manual, you’ll be able to make the most of Infrakit’s features and become a true champion of modern infra construction.

Training opportunities and support

While our manual is a fantastic starting point, we understand that you may still have questions or require additional training. Our team is here to help! For further information and training opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Conclusion

Infrakit’s new manual for OFFICE and Mobile browser version is designed to help you maximize your use of our platform, whether you’re a new user or an experienced pro. By familiarizing yourself with the features and functions outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert in modern infrastructure construction. So, give yourself that extra boost and get started today!

Please note that this manual is subject to regular updates, as we continuously improve and expand Infrakit’s features. Be sure to keep an eye out for the latest edition to stay up-to-date with all that our platform has to offer.

Manual is available on our Knowledge Base »  

For further information and training opportunities, please contact our support team at support@infrakit.com

 

Anssi Johansson
March 15, 2023

 

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Climate Fund – €6 million capital loan to Infrakit for the development and commercialisation of sustainability functionalities for boosting emissions reductions in infrastructure building

Climate Fund – €6 million capital loan to Infrakit for the development and commercialisation of sustainability functionalities for boosting emissions reductions in infrastructure building

The Finnish Climate Fund has decided on a capital loan of up to 6 million euros to Infrakit Group Oy for the development of sustainability functionalities in their data management service, as well as for boosting the software’s international deployment. Improving the efficiency of transport and the utilisation of machines and materials can reduce the emissions of infrastructure construction sites by an estimated 5%.

Infrastructure building refers to the construction of, for example, transport routes, logistics centres, energy infrastructure or industrial structures. The sector’s annual emissions in Finland are approximately 1.4 Mt CO2eq, of which roughly 55% is generated by the fuel consumption of machinery and vehicles.

Infrakit offers data management services for infrastructure projects, particularly for reducing the duration and costs of construction. ”Until now, we have been able to promise our customers savings of approximately 20% in overall infrastructure building costs by improving the efficiency of operations with our service. Many projects have also been completed ahead of schedule, like the 70-million-euro project on Highway 3. Now we want to bring the same benefits to sustainability”, says Infrakit’s CEO, Teemu Kivimäki.

Infrakit’s sustainability function will offer more precise information and tools for boosting emissions reductions to construction companies and infrastructure managers in Finland and abroad. The service lets its users leverage climate and environmental data as well as measure and anticipate the emissions generated by their operations.

”Infrakit’s comprehensive data management service is one way of boosting the sustainability perspective in the construction sector. For example, cities and municipalities could use the service to set requirements and goals for builders regarding their emissions. Our investment accelerates the growth of an emissions-reducing solution and enables the development of new sustainability functionalities”, says CEO Paula Laine of the Climate Fund, shedding light on the reasons behind the investment decision.

Infrakit’s solution

Infrakit Group Oy is a company established in 2010 that offers cloud-based data management services to infrastructure construction sites. Infrakit’s solution has already been used in over 3,000 Finnish and international projects worth more than 30 billion euros in total.

The emissions reductions achieved by Infrakit are indirect: its technology enables the recognition of emissions but the ultimate emissions reductions depend on the corrective action taken by the company’s customers instead of directly from the technology or product of the company being financed. Infrakit’s data-based management features offer tools for determining the customer’s carbon footprint, monitoring actual emissions and optimising emissions during the project’s implementation. By using this data, Infrakit’s customers are able to decrease their emissions.

The project’s estimated emissions reduction potential is based on the improvement in infrastructure building efficiency achieved by the data model platform provided by the company, which can for example reduce the fuel consumption of machinery at the construction site. The magnitude of the emissions reductions achieved in a single infrastructure building project is approximately 0.6 kt CO2eq. If Infrakit’s business plan succeeds, its ten-year cumulative emissions-reduction potential is approximately 3 Mt CO2eq. The emissions-reduction benefits brought by the new sustainability functionality currently under development would be realised in addition to this estimate, but the assessment of their magnitude involves uncertainties, so they have not been included in the emissions-reduction estimate above. The project targets markets both in Finland and abroad but Infrakit believes that most of its growth will be achieved abroad.

The total investments in the company’s growth and development plan in the next few years are estimated at €12.6 million, consisting of the Climate Fund’s capital loan, €5 million in equity funding from one of the company’s current shareholders and grants from Business Finland and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

The Climate Fund’s capital loan of up to €6 million has a convertibles option and will be allocated to the development of an emissions-reducing functionality and the acceleration of the software’s international deployment. The interest on the Climate Fund’s capital loan is priced at the market rate and the capital loan also includes a conversion right.

For additional information, please contact:
Saara Mattero, Director, Communications and Sustainability, tel. +358 400 114 777 saara.mattero@ilmastorahasto.fi

Anssi Johansson, VP of Marketing, tel. +358 40 592 9933, anssi.johansson@infrakit.com

The Finnish Climate Fund is a Finnish state-owned special-assignment company. Its operations focus on combating climate change, boosting low-carbon industry and promoting digitalisation. The Climate Fund invests in large-scale projects in which the fund’s investment is crucial to enable the project’s realisation in the first place, on a larger scale or earlier than it would with funding from elsewhere.

Infrakit – Your digital transformation partner. Infrakit is an industry-disrupting digital platform to increase infrastructure construction productivity. We are driven by the goal of a sustainable infra industry – while offering 20% savings in total project costs. Our customers include the most advanced construction companies and infrastructure owners in the world. We have been helping our customers to digitalize their infra projects since 2010 – over 30 billion euros of infra assets has been built with Infrakit in more than 3000 projects in 13 countries.

Anssi Johansson
February 8, 2023

 

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Kalasatama-Pasila project – a major step towards a zero-emission construction site

Kalasatama-Pasila project – a major step towards a zero-emission construction site

Organizational-level emission targets are becoming somewhat commonplace in the infrastructure sector. However, taking concrete, significant steps to achieve these targets is something we’ve had to wait for.

High-level carbon neutrality targets can materialize only when the means to reduce emissions are developed through actual projects.

A major step towards carbon neutrality

Destia, the main contractor of the Kalasatama-Pasila alliance project in Helsinki, has taken the major step from ambition to practice, together with the project’s sustainability team.

In cooperation with other project partners, Destia is now piloting production-data-based emissions monitoring, which will not only allow more accurate and higher-quality emissions verification but also a lighter process for generating monitoring data.

From estimating to verifying emissions

In the future, emissions can be better optimized by verifying them. This optimization requires measuring, and will ultimately allow us to reach the carbon neutrality goals set for the construction of infrastructure.

We’ve increased our focus on developing solutions to help achieve carbon neutrality targets. One part of this commitment is developing production-data-based emission monitoring systems.

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Jere Syrjälä
January 31, 2023

 

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€70 million National Highway 3 development project completed a year ahead of the schedule

€70 million National Highway 3 development project completed a year ahead of the schedule 

Construction work on the project of the Finnish National Highway 3 started in the summer 2020, and is completed in November 2022, a year ahead of the schedule. The original plan stated the commissioning would take place in the autumn of 2023.

The highway through Hämeenkyrö was upgraded by constructing a 10-kilometer dual-carriageway section with four lanes. The road has 3 level crossings and 11 bridges. Infrakit has been part of the implementation throughout the whole project. All the way from the design stage to site supervision and quality assurance.

The current average daily traffic volume (ADT) on the sections of Highway 3 along the link is between 2 500 and 16 900 cars per day. By 2040, the average daily traffic is projected to increase to between 2 800 and 24 700 cars per day. The share of heavy goods vehicles in total traffic varies between 6% and 16% (Vayla.fi).

The project was built by the Finnish Transport Agency and contracted by Destia. The new road section will reduce travel time between Helsinki and Vaasa and improve traffic flow and safety on the motorway.

A major infrastructure project requires extensive planning

Good planning is an essential factor in avoiding schedule delays. Infrakit has been involved in the project from the very beginning, collecting the design data.

As part of the digitalization of the industry, Infrakit’s software makes it easier to work in various stages. The software streamlines the flow of information from the design table through implementation to reporting.

The site was executed using a traditional contractor model, but road design solutions were first conceived and developed together. The digital platform has streamlined the design process. Maps and 3D modeling available to all planners have demonstrated the progress of the plans.

In terms of monitoring, Infrakit can be used to control the execution and accuracy of the data. This allows the progress of work to be monitored almost in real time. In addition, accurate data can be compared with the designed surfaces and levels according to structural tolerances.

Digitizing and streamlining the flow of information influences decision-making and follow-up. This contributes significantly to meeting deadlines.

Smooth communication on-site reduces delays

Responding to challenges and changes and making decisions during the project are essential to staying on schedule. Huge amounts of data are generated on-site during construction, and organising and sharing this data considerably speeds up the work.

The collected data makes it much easier to build up a picture of the situation and monitor the work. Decision-making is also easier when there is sufficient contextual data and facts to back it up.

The Infrakit platform allows users to upload orthophotos as map images, on which plans can be visualized. This makes it easy to see that roads, lines and structures have been built where they were designed on the site. This helps to monitor the implementation and progress of works such as pavements, road markings and finishing and surfacing works.

Sustainable development reforms infrastructure construction industry

Sustainability is also evident in the development of roadworks. The Hämeenkyrö project has had a strong focus on the reuse of construction materials, which the Finnish Transport Agency supports with renewed sustainability guidelines. Infrakit is part of this trend. Improved information flow and more efficient use of resources will bring savings in used materials and energy.

Costs can be cut by using recycled materials. This also saves natural resources and allows waste to be recycled instead of simply being landfilled. In Hämeenkyrö, suitable materials imported from the local area have been used for noise barriers and surface materials.

“It’s really rewarding to see our client succeed in their project using the latest digital processes. Of course, an efficiently implemented project has also a significantly lower carbon footprint,” says Teemu Kivimäki, the CEO of Infrakit.

Infrakit promotes the eco-friendliness and sustainability of infra-construction by optimizing resources. Particularly as raw material prices rise, resource efficiency brings significant cost savings. Read more about Infrakit’s sustainability.

Anssi Johansson
December 19, 2022

 

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