POLLUTION

Stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance

FORCIT stakeholders did not directly participate in the Double Materiality Assessment (DMA). However, insights from a previous materiality analysis and stakeholder perspectives on pollution were considered. The Defence Business Unit was excluded from the DMA in 2024.

FORCIT engages with interested parties during environmental permitting processes at sites including Hanko, Vihtavuori, Kemi, Gällivare, and Karlskoga. During these processes, information about operations, emissions, and environmental impacts is made available, allowing stakeholders to raise questions and concerns.

Pollution risks and mitigation measures

Pollution risks are most significant at FORCIT’s Explosives Business Unit production sites, where chemicals are handled and stored at large scale. Key risk areas include:

• Raw material handling (loading/unloading)

• Production processes

• Waste disposal and open burning

All production sites operate under environmental permits, and pollution levels remain low. The risk of pollution is mitigated through Environmental Management System (EMS) protocols, safety reports, and internal emergency plans. While the likelihood of a severe incident is low, the financial and environmental consequences of such events would be significant.

Upstream and downstream pollution risks

• Upstream (Supply Chain): Pollution risks stem from raw material manufacturing and transportation. These risks are managed through supplier selection, audits, and collaboration on process improvements.

• Downstream (Product Use): The environmental impact of FORCIT’s products is assessed through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These allow customers develop their processes and to integrate emission data into their sustainability reporting.

• Positive Impacts: FORCIT actively develops safe nitrogen-free products and provides customer training on responsible product use.

Explosive waste management

FORCIT systematically monitors the generation of explosive waste and safety incidents on a monthly basis. Due to the lack of commercial explosive waste treatment facilities in Finland, open burning currently remains the only viable disposal method. In Sweden and Norway, commercial facilities manage explosive waste either through open burning or detonation in specialized underground caves.

Recognizing the environmental impacts, FORCIT is actively engaged in developing environmentally safer disposal alternatives.

Monitoring and target setting

At FORCIT manufacturing sites, explosive waste is quantitatively measured by weight (kg) and then converted into a relative indicator, represented as a percentage of overall production volume. Recent trends indicate a consistent decline in explosive waste generation. Currently, there is no established group-wide reduction target, though this will undergo reassessment in 2025. Environmental authorities specify permitted waste limits through environmental permits, ensuring compliance and accountability. Monthly monitoring data undergoes detailed reviews by management teams, with comprehensive annual reporting provided to relevant regulatory bodies.

Water pollution and wastewater management

FORCIT actively monitors and manages emissions to water. Primary pollutants include soluble nitrogen compounds (NH4, NO3) and ethylene dinitrate. To mitigate these, nitrogen-rich wastewater undergoes treatment at municipal or specialized industrial facilities. Notably, in Hanko, wastewater from ethylene dinitrate production receives extensive treatment at an industrial plant, significantly minimizing nitrogen emissions into marine environments. Additionally, contaminated water is effectively processed through oil separators and infiltration beds. Groundwater quality at Hanko and Vihtavuori is monitored quarterly, while seawater and wastewater emissions undergo regular analysis by external accredited laboratories.

Air pollution and emissions

FORCIT air pollutant emissions are below E-PRTR thresholds, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The primary pollutant identified in environmental permits across FORCIT sites is explosive waste, closely linked to CO2, NOx, and SO2 emissions. Specifically, Hanko conducts annual assessments of nitrous oxide (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), consistently achieving low emission levels.

Soil contamination prevention

Soil pollution represents a minor risk for FORCIT operations. Preventive strategies include rigorous operational controls, explicitly designed to avoid raw material leaks, alongside stringent hazardous chemical handling protocols that comply fully with the Seveso III Directive.

Supplier audits and product stewardship

FORCIT mandates suppliers to adhere to its Code of Conduct and undergo periodic environmental and sustainability audits. Customer training initiatives encompass the safe handling, storage, and environmental impacts of explosive materials. Additionally, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for several products are being updated throughout 2025.

Hazardous substances and chemical safety

While FORCIT currently does not track Substances of Concern (SoC) explicitly, it does ensure Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are excluded from its production processes. However, certain purchased detonators may contain SVHC compounds. Lead-based electronic detonators face an impending ban in April 2026, with some manufacturers seeking exemptions.

Seveso III compliance and major accident prevention

Classified as an upper-tier establishment under the Seveso III Directive (2012/18/EU), FORCIT implements a robust Major-Accident Prevention Policy (MAPP). This policy emphasizes management’s commitment to accident prevention, risk mitigation strategies, and comprehensive emergency preparedness. Safety reports, internal emergency plans, and assessments of potential domino effects involving nearby facilities are standard practices. Immediate notification to authorities, along with thorough evaluation of environmental and health impacts, is obligatory in the event of a major accident.

Emission reduction and sustainability initiatives

FORCIT actively pursues emissions reductions through targeted sustainability initiatives. Reducing explosive waste directly correlates with decreased CO2, NOx, and SO2 emissions resulting from open burning. At the Hanko site, environmental enhancements include NOx absorption and acid treatment processes, recycling nitrogen-rich wastewater to minimize eutrophication risks, and employing oil separators to protect marine ecosystems. Sustainability progress is regularly assessed through inspections and annual reporting to environmental authorities.

Environmental management and compliance

FORCIT’s Environmental Policy, approved by the CEO, forms an integral part of its ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS encompasses sales, service, design, development, manufacturing, and supply chain operations across Finland, Sweden, and Norway, with annual external audits conducted by DNV. Transparency is ensured through publicly accessible policy documentation.

Environmental training and emergency preparedness

Employees undergo comprehensive training on environmental responsibilities, recorded systematically in the Solaforce HR system. Operations involving substantial quantities of hazardous chemicals require authorization from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (TUKES). Emergency preparedness is reinforced by detailed safety reports, structured emergency plans, regular drills coordinated with authorities. Incident management, including observations, near misses, and accidents, is effectively tracked via the IMS system to ensure continuous improvement and recurrence prevention.

Future commitments

• Ongoing waste reduction initiatives, with a new target review scheduled for 2025.

• Expansion of environmentally friendly disposal methods (read more at page 12).

• Continued participation in regulatory discussions.

• Development of enhanced chemical tracking systems to improve pollutant identification.

FORCIT remains committed to continuous environmental improvement, regulatory compliance, and reducing its operational impact on air, water, and soil.