Smart systems to control energy 

• Extensive energy efficiency renovation in printing plant including artificial intelligence to control the new systems
• Modernisation of plant managed to significantly cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions

Sanomala printing plant is in Vantaa, Finland and it is one of the largest printing facilities in northern Europe. It is owned by the Swedish real estate investment company AB Sagax, with Sanoma Group as tenant. Sanomala prints two of Finland’s leading newspapers from Sanoma Group, and several print products for external customers.

The area of the property is approximately 53 000 m2 and the annual energy consumption in electricity and heating is 24 000 MWh. The temperature and humidity of the property must remain exactly within the guideline values so that the newsprint runs smoothly over the long production line. In a challenge dating back to 1977, maintaining these limits was always a challenge.

In 2017, LeaseGreen, a Finnish company specialised in building energy modernisation, started an extensive energy overhaul at Sanomala’s properties. During the project, the building automation and ventilation systems were renewed. Among other things, artificial intelligence was introduced to control the smart new systems. The energy overhaul improved conditions within the facility, while energy consumption and CO2 emissions decreased by 20 %.

Key benefits

• Energy consumption and CO2 emissions decreased by 20 %
• The energy overhaul also improved the printing conditions in the facility
• Predicted savings thanks to the refit are € 4.4 million over the investment’s life cycle