German raw materials trading group Brüning is expanding its presence in northern Europe and seeking to tap additional market potential with the establishment of a new subsidiary, Brüning Group Finland Oy. Janne Hannula has been appointed business development manager Finland and will oversee the setup of the company and the development of local operations.
The new subsidiary will focus on alternative fuels such as RDF (refuse-derived fuel) and biomass. According to Brüning, Finland offers potential for the use of a range of waste and residual wood fractions. "Industry must replace fossil fuels and requires large quantities of alternative materials to do so. It is therefore crucial to utilise material streams efficiently and offer flexible solutions," Mr Hannula said.
One key focus will be supplying the Finnish market through imports. Accordingly, Brüning reports that it is developing additional import hubs. The group already operates terminals in Varberg and Oskarshamn in Sweden.
The company said the move also reflects shifts in European energy markets since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finland had previously relied heavily on wood imports from Russia, but this material stream dried up after sanctions were imposed. Since then, the country has sourced much more material from its own forests, although domestic capacity is limited, according to the company. Annual forest growth in Finland amounts to around 4-5 cubic metres per hectare, compared with roughly 12-15 cubic metres per hectare in Germany.
"With the establishment of Brüning Group Finland Oy, we are thus creating another foundation for international expansion, the efficient use of alternative fuels, and security of supply in Europe," Brüning said. The Bremen-based company added that it already enjoys a high level of recognition among potential customers in Finland, and that its reputation has eased its market entry. "The Brüning group is regarded as a reliable partner with a strong spirit of cooperation, which helps us greatly in building new partnerships," Mr Hannula added.
