The scale of green transition investments in Finland is exceptional: projects worth over €279 billion have been listed in the Confederation of Finnish Industries’ (EK) investment database. Plans are underway for hydrogen plants, biorefineries, battery chemical factories, and large-scale energy transmission infrastructure. All of these depend on pipelines to function – yet pipeline construction is too often overlooked as part of the sustainability equation.
Sustainability of a plant is engineered long before operations begin
- how maintenance, safety, and material efficiency are enabled,
- how long and flexible the lifecycle of the facility is, and
- how easily the system scales or adapts to future requirements.
The missed opportunity: Digital tools and traceability in piping projects
One of the most underutilized opportunities in green transition facilities is the digital management and traceability of pipelines. These bring considerable benefits:
- Lifecycle-based maintenance
An intelligent pipeline can be maintained proactively, reducing emissions and improving safety. - Material traceability
Responsibly sourced materials – such as low-emission steel – can be documented at the component level and integrated into sustainability reporting. - Sustainability documentation
Investors, regulators, and owners increasingly demand detailed, transparent information on construction materials and supply chains. With digital systems, this data can be accessed directly without extensive post-hoc investigation. - Fast response in practical emergencies
Digital modeling and isometric traceability turn pipelines into smart systems – especially useful for quickly identifying the cause of a failure or spotting the next potential risk
Build with better industrial piping – not just bold visions
Hydrogen plants, battery material facilities, biorefineries, and energy transmission networks all need intelligent piping. Serving as the infrastructure that enables energy and materials to move sustainably and efficiently.
“Piping rarely makes it to the front page of project plans – but nothing happens without it. Pipelines connect renewable energy production, process industries, and energy storage. They create safety, efficiency, and continuity. And when built responsibly by the right team, they deliver long-term value across the entire lifecycle of the investment,” Hakala sums up.
