Fiskars and Fortum join hands on hands-free handle
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Finnish companies Fiskars and Fortum have announced a collaboration to launch the commercial production and international sales of a handle that prevents the spread of the novel coronavirus and other infectious diseases by allowing people to open doors with their arm.
Originally developed by Fortum, the handle is made from a recycled material produced from consumer plastic waste at the energy company’s plastics refinery in Riihimäki, Finland.
Fortum on Monday said Fiskars will develop the design, compatibility and usability of the timely and practical innovation further before starting commercial production later this summer at its plant in Raasepori, Finland.
“We are very pleased to be able to work with a well-known and respected group such as Fiskars Group,” stated Kalle Saarimaa, the head of recycling and waste at Fortum.
The development and production process, he added, is a prime example of agile co-operation between two companies.
His excitement was shared by Pekka Salmi, a regional director of sales at Fiskars Group. “We are keen to work together on this fast-progressing initiative and are happy to use our expertise in this exceptional situation,” he said. “We are exploring new business opportunities created by a circular economy and looking for solutions to extend the life cycle of materials.”
Known previously as Fortum Vipu, the handle was piloted this spring at a grocery shop and shown to clearly reduce hand contact with surfaces. The innovation has drawn attention from retailers both in and outside Finland.
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