Sustainability is such a hot-button topic in 2025, and to some businesses, it might be a tick-box exercise; however, at Mirka, there is a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
As a business, Mirka’s philosophy on the issue is broken down into three key pillars. These pillars are societal impact, environmental cleanliness and resource efficiency, and to some, these might seem quite complex and lead down numerous avenues, but as Neil Newbrook, business sector manager Wood at Mirka (UK) Ltd, highlights, they are simple to understand.
“For environmental cleanliness, we are aiming for a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, and we are also aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” explains Neil. “We believe we are on the way to meeting these targets, and we are always looking into options to help us get there.
“With resource efficiency, we are talking about the lifecycle of the product and what happens to it when it is ‘finished’. As a business, we want to ensure we get the most out of our products, and this is highlighted by the fact that we are looking to have 70% of Mirka’s products recyclable by 2035.
“This aim is supported by a €25m circular grain manufacturing plant in Finland, which is scheduled to be operational by December 2025. The site has been designed to sort, clean and prepare incoming recycled materials, as well as screen and classify grains for reuse. This will aid in maximising the lifecycle of products and reducing waste both internally and from external sources.”
In addition to the key pillars, Mirka also looks at sustainability from a financial perspective. As a business, Mirka wants the industry to be sustainable, and helps to achieve this by providing the end user with a high-quality abrasive that makes sense for the business and the customer purchasing it.
Through the provision of a high-quality product, Mirka and its team of experienced technical experts are seeing a concerted move to them from businesses, no matter their size. By making the move, it is taking users away from the slippery slope that is “buy cheap buy twice”.
The reason for this is simple. Cheaper options might provide a slight monetary saving in the beginning; however, it is quickly wiped out when the user must purchase the same product very quickly down the line. In comparison, premium products are built to last, and they will provide the same end product or service, whether it is being used for the first or the hundredth time.
For Mirka, sustainability isn’t a buzzword; it’s a blueprint for the future. By combining ambitious environmental goals, smarter resource use, and products that are built to last, Mirka is proving that true sustainability delivers value for businesses and the planet.
