Kesko own-brand Pirkka products to be made with biogas produced from retail outlet wastage

Kesko grocery trade, Gasum, Myllyn Paras and Wursti have entered into cooperation where biogas produced from biowaste collected from retail outlets will be utilized as energy in the manufacture of new Pirkka products.

In the initial stage, two manufacturers of Kesko’s own-brand Pirkka products – Myllyn Paras and Wursti – have joined the initiative. Biowaste from almost 100 K-food retailer outlets in the Uusimaa region as well as the Keslog warehouses in Hakkila, Vantaa, will be taken to the Labio biogas plant in Lahti, and the biogas produced will be transmitted via the Gasum gas network to Myllyn Paras and Wursti production facilities.

– Kesko aims to continuously find new ways of reducing wastage and the volume of waste that ends up in landfill sites. Food wastage generated at K-food outlets is primarily donated to food aid. This new cooperation will help utilize any food wastage that is unsuitable for human consumption in a smart new way as energy used to make Pirkka products, says Timo Jäske, Kesko Sustainability Manager for grocery trade.

Biogas produced from waste is 100% Finnish renewable energy. Recycling waste into biogas and utilizing this energy in the manufacturing of Pirkka products will help cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by 380 tonnes. This corresponds to emissions generated by driving a car for more than three million kilometres.

– We’re happy to be able to provide retailers with a new way of utilizing wastage and to participate in action to turn Finland into a forerunner in bioeconomy and clean solutions, says Jani Arala, Gasum’s Business Development Manager for Biogas.

Myllyn Paras will use biogas energy to make frozen semi-baked mini meat-rice and egg-rice pasties for Pirkka. Wursti manufactures around ten different types of Pirkka sausages and cold cuts.

Consumers will now have the opportunity make purchase decisions to influence the manufacture of products with renewable Finnish energy. Products made with biogas will be easy to spot on the basis of the biogas label.

– Pirkka products made with biogas are an easy consumer choice for the benefit of the environment.

Further information:

Timo Jäske, Sustainability Manager, Kesko grocery trade,
tel. +358 10 5328 222, timo.jaske@kesko.fi

Jani Arala, Business Development Manager for Biogas, Gasum,
tel. +358 44 054 8583 jani.arala@gasum.fi