Fiskars Group and Fortum to work together to produce hands-free handle, preventing the spread of infections
Fiskars Group
Press release
June 15, 2020 at 08.00 EEST
Fiskars Group and Fortum to work together to produce hands-free handle, preventing the spread of infections
Fiskars Group and Fortum have agreed to work together to manufacture and distribute a hands-free handle, which helps prevent the spread of infections. The innovative handle is made of recycled plastic and enables people to open doors with their arm. A simple add-on to existing door handles, the handle has been tested in a grocery store environment, and it has been found to clearly reduce hand contact with surfaces. The handle has attracted both domestic and international interest among trade.
Fiskars Group is responsible for the design, manufacturing and sales of the handle, previously known as Fortum Vipu. International sales will begin during the summer. The handle is manufactured in Finland at Fiskars Group’s Billnäs plant in Raseborg. It is made from Fortum Circo® recycled plastic produced at Fortum’s Riihimäki plastics refinery from domestic consumer plastic packaging waste.
“We are very pleased to be able to work with a well-known and respected company such as Fiskars Group. The handle is a time-appropriate, practical application that contributes to the versatility of recycled plastic. At the same time, cooperation with Fiskars Group is a great example of an exceptionally agile collaboration between two companies,” says Kalle Saarimaa, Vice President, Recycling & Waste at Fortum.
Fiskars Group will further develop the design, attachability and usability of the handle so that it can be used with a wide range of different types of doors in various public spaces.
“Our goal is for people to be able to take care of their everyday chores more safely. We are keen to work together on this fast progressing initiative and are happy to use our expertise in this exceptional situation. We are exploring new business opportunities created by a circular economy and looking for solutions to extend the life cycle of materials. The recycled plastic of the handle provides interesting opportunities for this,” says Pekka Salmi, VP, Sales, Finland, Russia & Baltics at Fiskars Group.
Sales contacts:
handle@fiskars.com
www.fiskarsgroup.com/handle
Media contacts:
Images and video: https://fiskars.emmi.fi/l/8gjcDRk7wCmS
Jenni Marsio
Communications Manager
Fiskars Group
+358 45 636 0400
jenni.marsio@fiskars.com
Anniina Rasmus
Brand Sales Manager, Fortum Circo®
+358 400 815 484
anniina.rasmus@fortum.com
Fiskars Group
Fiskars Group’s vision is to create a positive, lasting impact on our quality of life. Our brands Fiskars, Gerber, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Waterford, and Wedgwood are present in people’s everyday lives – at home, in the garden, and outdoors. This gives us an opportunity to make the everyday extraordinary today, and for future generations. We employ approximately 7,000 people in 30 countries, and our products are available in more than 100 countries. Our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (FSKRS). Please visit us at www.fiskarsgroup.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @fiskarsgroup.
Fortum
Fortum is a European energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. We provide our customers with electricity, gas, heating and cooling as well as smart solutions to improve resource efficiency. We want to engage our customers and society to join the change for a cleaner world. Together with our subsidiary Uniper, we are the third largest producer of CO2-free electricity in Europe. With approximately 19,000 professionals and a combined balance sheet of approximately EUR 69 billion, we have the scale, competence and resources to grow and to drive the energy transition forward. Fortum’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki and Uniper’s share on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. www.fortum.com.
Fortum Circo® – Recycled Plastics
Fortum Circo® is a recycled plastic raw material suitable for a wide variety of applications. As a raw material, Fortum Circo is a consistent and responsible choice. Plastic granules can also be tailored to customer-specific needs. Fortum Circo recycled plastic is not a compromise but a reliable solution for durable plastic products.