From trainee to sustainability trailblazer

At Nordec, we take pride in fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture and actively support our employees in their professional growth. Our team members, like Michelle Österblad, thrive while contributing meaningfully to our projects. Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec is a great example of how we empower professionals to drive innovation and make an impact.

Michelle’s Journey at Nordec

Michelle Österblad graduated with a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Novia University of Applied Sciences in May, in Vaasa, Finland. She became interested in Nordec after learning that many students from her school had completed internships here and highly recommended the company. “So, I applied for an internship and started working as a Trainee at Nordec in May 2023. After graduating, I continued working at Nordec as a Designer for a while,” she shares.

Thesis Opportunity and Challenges

During her time as a Trainee, Michelle saw an opportunity to make a greater impact. “I asked for the opportunity to write my thesis for Nordec. One of my colleagues suggested the idea of integrating EPDs into Tekla Structures, which I found interesting since I care for the environment and thought that this could be a step in the right direction for Nordec,” she explains. Tekla Structures is a versatile 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used in the construction industry. It allows users to create detailed and accurate 3D models of structures, manage various materials, and generate essential drawings and reports for the fabrication and construction process.

Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec – from trainee to leader. Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association's reward

Her thesis takes a theoretical approach, examining climate regulations in some of Nordec’s largest customer countries. It introduces the concept of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), detailing their production and offering a clear step-by-step guide. Additionally, the thesis proposes a practical system for incorporating EPDs into Nordec’s design process. “This system aims to insert the necessary data for producing elements that comply with specific EPDs, thereby facilitating collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the project process,” Michelle adds.

Michelle encountered challenges during her thesis but overcame them with her colleagues’ support. “One of the main challenges was ensuring the developed system would be useful for all parties in the project process. To address this, I received a lot of help from my colleagues at Nordec. I conducted interviews with people from design, sourcing, and project management to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and find the most efficient solutions,” she notes.

Impact and Future Aspirations

She believes her work will positively influence the construction industry. “As declarations of the environmental impact of building materials become mandatory by law, I believe the system developed is a step in the right direction. While it will likely be further refined, Nordec now has a solid foundation to build upon, including a clear understanding of requirements and how the process should work,” Michelle states.

Throughout her research, Michelle felt encouraged by Nordec. “I got a lot of support from Nordec throughout the entire process. Dan Pada, my supervisor, has extensive knowledge about EPDs and provided critical insights into the integration process. Additionally, I received valuable input regarding the implementation into Tekla Structures from my colleagues at the Vaasa office,” she acknowledges.

Looking ahead, Michelle aims to contribute further to sustainable practices. “I hope I can contribute further to sustainable building by, for example, promoting energy-efficient designs using environmentally friendly materials and solutions. Additionally, I hope I can help Nordec in achieving their sustainability goals further,” she expresses.

Discover More 

Michelle’s story reflects Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec and our commitment to nurturing talent and driving innovation in sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about our sustainability initiatives, visit our Sustainability page. For opportunities to grow with us, explore our Careers page. 

For more information about Tekla.

Park Central project in Gothenburg, Sweden

Building a sustainable future: Nordec low carbon slim-floor beams

Sustainability is a key part of Nordec’s operations. Our low-carbon slim-floor beams demonstrate how we work to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high performance

Innovative solutions with Nordec low carbon slim-floor beams

Our low carbon slim-floor beams, such as the NORDEC QUATTRO B2eAM and NORDEC COMPOSITE B2eAM, are designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability and performance. The beams are crafted from nearly 70% recycled steel, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of construction projects. Using recycled steel reduces emissions compared to virgin steel production, making the beams the low carbon choice for modern construction. 

Our low-carbon beams are already making a difference in projects like Park Central in Gothenburg, Sweden, where they support various slab structures and provide optimized design solutions. These beams support various slab structures, including single-span, continuous, or cantilever beams. They can be connected to steel, concrete, or timber columns or walls, providing optimized design solutions tailored to different projects’ unique needs.    

Close-up of Nordec QUATTRO B2eAM slim-floor beam made from recycled steel Nordec low-carbon slim-floor beams in Park Central project, Gothenburg, Sweden

Transparent environmental impact with Nordec’s EPDs

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is a standardized document that provides detailed information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle. This includes data on resource use, energy consumption, emissions, and waste generation. EPDs are based on international standards, ensuring transparency and comparability across products and industries.

For Nordec, EPDs are vital tools for demonstrating the environmental performance of their products. By providing accurate and verified data, EPDs enable customers to make informed decisions that align with their sustainability objectives. They provide the necessary transparency and verified data enabling informed decision-making, ensuring that both Nordec and its customers can make environmentally responsible choices.

We provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that offer detailed information about the environmental impact of our products throughout their lifecycle. For example, our beams made from nearly 70% recycled steel have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1.7 kg CO2e per kg, a 34% reduction compared to virgin steel. This transparency ensures that our clients can make informed decisions that align with their own sustainability goals.   

Read more about our EPD’s here!

Commitment to sustainability

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our products. At Nordec, we continuously seek ways to improve our environmental performance. All our production sites use electricity from 100% renewable resources, and we have policies in place to minimize waste and enhance recycling efforts. Our collaboration with SSAB to use fossil-free steel further underscores our commitment to a sustainable future. 

At Nordec, we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed industry standards. Our low carbon slim-floor beams are just one example of how we are innovating to reduce our environmental impact while delivering exceptional quality and performance to our clients. 

Learn more about our low-carbon slim-floor beams and how they can benefit your projects and the environment. 

More about the Park Central Project in Gothenburg, Sweden.

 

 

Nordec Hosts Sustainability Day in Prague

In late October, Nordec had the honor of hosting the Nordec Sustainability Day at the Residence of the Finnish Ambassador in Prague. The event aimed to highlight our dedication to sustainability and innovation. It brought together key stakeholders and business partners from the construction sector in Czechia to discuss sustainability and the challenges associated with reducing the carbon footprint of new buildings.

The event underscored Nordec’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the industry. Co-hosted by His Excellency Mr. Pasi Tuominen, the event provided a platform for in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing. Keynote speakers included Architect Pekka Pakkanen from Finland and Radoslav Sovják from the Czech Technical University in Prague. Their presentations offered valuable insights into sustainable architecture and construction practices. Additionally, Dan Pada, Nordec’s Technology Manager, presented on Nordec’s journey towards more sustainable buildings. He introduced the Nordec Hybrid Frame concept, which addresses the challenges of reducing carbon emissions in construction.

We wish to extend special thanks to Jan Samec, our Senior Vice President, CEE, and the rest of the Nordec team in Czechia for their efforts in organizing and hosting the event. Their hard work and dedication were instrumental in its success.

Nordec remains committed to supporting the business community in Czechia and other countries as they transition towards more sustainable practices. The discussions and collaborations from this event are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of new buildings.

Read more about sustainability in steel constuction and our innovative slim-floor beam solutions.

Nordec showcase in Sweden

Nordec recently held an event in Gothenburg, Sweden, bringing together industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders to discuss and showcase Nordec’s innovative solutions and sustainability goals. 

Held at the well-known Platinan building, a project previously constructed by Nordec, the event aimed to visit Nordec’s Park Central site and present our climate goals and Hybrid Frame concept. This concept combines steel, wood, and concrete for efficient and sustainable material use. Additionally, the event sought to strengthen our collaboration with NCC and other partners, emphasizing our shared commitment to reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable construction practices. 

Over two days, attendees engaged in insightful presentations and discussions. NCC began with an overview of the Park Central project, showcasing the successful collaboration with Nordec. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with NCC expressing their satisfaction with Nordec as their frame contractor. 

A detailed site tour of the Park Central construction site provided attendees with a firsthand look at the innovative solutions being implemented and the project’s progress. 

Nordec introduced ongoing projects and delved into the sustainability aspects of the work, emphasizing the efforts to reduce carbon footprints and the importance of sustainable practices. This focus on sustainability was a key factor in NCC’s decision to partner with Nordec. 

The event concluded with a clear sense of direction. Our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration was evident throughout, and we look forward to continuing our work with NCC and other partners to achieve our shared goals. 

We extend our thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this event. Special thanks to NCC for their excellent presentation and ongoing collaboration. 

Stay tuned for more updates on our projects and initiatives as we continue to build solutions that make a difference. 

More about our solutions and products.