The purpose of the circular economy is to find solutions that do not overuse environmental resources. Regenerative business goes one step further and can be defined as business that improves the state of the environment. To explore what regeneration could mean for Kiilto's business and customers, Kiilto has adopted this perspective as part of its Promise to the Environment.
Regenerative business is still a relatively new way of thinking. However, it offers opportunities to understand the cause-and-effect relationships in business more profoundly. The pursuit of regeneration requires the company to be innovative, which is in the best interests of society as a whole.
“I believe that solutions and products based on carbon sequestration, for example, are the future of the chemical industry, as are biobased components, whose cultivation process in itself improves the soil and increases biodiversity”, says Kiilto’s RDI Director, Oili Kallatsa.
“Reducing both our own and our customers' environmental footprint lies at the core of Kiilto’s operations. The environment is the most important part of our strategy. It is a step towards regenerative business”, Kallatsa continues.
Workshops to understand the options of regenerative business
In cooperation with Ethica Oy, Kiilto planned a Regenerative Cleanliness workshop package consisting of customer interviews.
“We surveyed customers' views on how the responsibility of their partners will affect future cooperation. Using fewer chemical and renewable components, reducing packaging, and lowering environmental impacts came up for almost all respondents”, says Kallatsa.
The group, consisting of people from all functions of Kiilto’s professional hygiene business and all operating countries, focused on learning about the concept of regenerative business and brainstorming new solutions.
“Renewable business is all about actively improving natural ecosystems and society through our operations, products and services – to achieve well-being through cleanliness. Kiilto has huge potential in its skills and competencies, and in solutions to produce good things. For example, by replacing harmful chemicals with nature-based innovations, we can lead the change throughout the industry”, says Kallatsa.
Cooperation benefits the environment and society
In the future, regenerative business can offer significant benefits, such as a better state of the environment and social welfare. However, this requires cooperation from businesses.
“The companies that want to operate on the basis of a long-term approach and create solutions that are regenerative, or at least environmentally neutral, are the ones that will succeed in the future. The circular economy and its development require like-minded business networks that make the circular economy work. Company employees can work with a positive mindset when the company's values are in line with their own actions and thinking”, says Kiilto’s RDI Manager, Jussi-Matti Kauko.
The company's own activities, and understanding them from an environmental perspective, are a good starting point. The principles of the circular economy and minimising environmental impacts are the first step towards regenerative business.
“At Kiilto, for example, Our Promise to the Environment targets and the carbon footprint calculations of products support each other in improving environmental issues”, says Kauko.
Circular Design training programme puts operating methods into practice
In 2023, Kiilto participated in the programme Circular Design – a path towards circular economy, the purpose of which was to focus on the circular economy principles for design, as well as on practical solutions. Kiilto was represented in the programme by all B2B business areas, building, industrial adhesives and fireproofing, and professional hygiene.
Kiiltonians felt that the programme gave them tips on how to put the circular economy into practice. The lessons learned have been put to good use, for example in product development.
“A circular economy matrix was included in our project work, in which circular economy issues are always considered at the start of a project, that is, at the planning phase of a new product”, says Kauko.