When Belgian insulation manufacturer Recticel Insulation expanded its operations to Northern Europe, Mäntsälä, located in the Helsinki Ring of Industry region, stood out as the ideal location. Recticel’s factory is strategically positioned at the intersection of the E75 and Highway 25, two of Finland’s most important transport arteries.
According to Ari Tanni, Commercial Director of Recticel Insulation Nordics, “Mäntsälä’s location is excellent for both domestic and export deliveries. With major highways running through the area, we benefit from a constant flow of traffic that enables fast and cost-efficient logistics.”
Integrated into a Global Industrial Network
Recticel’s Mäntsälä facility is fully integrated into the company’s international production and innovation ecosystem. The global scale of the Recticel Group enables competitive raw material sourcing and streamlined supply chains across multiple PIR insulation plants in Europe.
The decision to establish a plant in Finland was driven by the nature of the product itself. PIR insulation is lightweight yet bulky, making long-distance transport inefficient and environmentally unsustainable. Mäntsälä’s central location minimizes delivery distances while maximizing market reach – an essential factor in maintaining both cost-efficiency and ecological responsibility.
“Improving building energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption – and PIR insulation plays a key role in that transition,” Tanni notes. PIR insulation is especially well suited for commercial and industrial buildings.
One the largest projects in the company’s history is in Hyvinkää, Finland, where Kesko builds a huge, state of the art logistics center for Onninen and K-Auto. Recticel’s PIR insulation was chosen for the BREEAM-certified building, which has a whopping 80,000 square meters of roof – equivalent to 12 football fields. This choice highlights the importance of polyurethane insulation in winter construction, where the material must withstand harsh conditions without compromising performance.
Specialized Skills for a Demanding Industrial Process
With over 70 years of experience in polyurethane insulation manufacturing, Recticel brings deep industrial expertise to Mäntsälä. “This gives us access to a wealth of knowledge on how to manufacture products as cost-effectively and with as high quality as possible,” says Tanni. “Safety is a core value at Recticel, because high industrial efficiency and workplace safety go hand in hand,” he adds.
The Mäntsälä plant employs around 50 professionals, many of whom possess specialized knowledge in chemical processes essential for PIR insulation production. “Since this expertise is not typically taught in schools, Recticel invests heavily in continuous training and development.”
The facility is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, reflecting its commitment to quality management and environmental responsibility. Every production batch undergoes rigorous internal testing, and third-party audits by Eurofins provide additional assurance of compliance with the highest industrial standards.
A Gateway to the Nordics and Baltics
With its exceptional logistical connectivity, skilled workforce, and proximity to key markets, the Helsinki Ring of Industry offers a compelling opportunity for international investors seeking a sustainable and efficient industrial base.
This logistical advantage is particularly valuable for industrial operations that depend on timely deliveries and optimized distribution networks. Mäntsälä’s accessibility to ports, urban centers, and neighboring countries makes it a natural gateway to the Nordic and Baltic markets.
Recticel Insulation
Recticel Insulation is a reliable and experienced construction industry partner with six decades of experience. They provide high-performance acoustic and thermal insulation solutions for both residential and non-residential buildings for comfort and greater energy efficiency.
