The construction sector is currently facing fierce competition, with costs and schedules continuing to drive decision-making, while the importance of sustainability requirements is expected to grow faster than ever. As international supply chains become longer and transport costs fluctuate, more and more players are looking for solutions that are both technically sustainable and transparent in their supply chain.
Domestic manufacturing offers a clear answer: with materials, processes and suppliers located close by, the risks associated with design to implementation are reduced. Local operations also allow for smoother logistics – BRIX systems are often delivered to site on a truck with a hiab crane, allowing products to be unloaded quickly without the need for a separate crane. This reduces the need for site organisation and reduces scheduling risks.
BRIX uses domestic expertise and largely domestic components in its production, making local production an important part of the overall system. The clay used for the bricks made in Finland is mainly extracted from the local area and the key stages of the production process take place within the same factory in Mjösund. This shortens transport distances and reduces the environmental burden of logistics, and enables a rapid response to change requirements. For example, in a recent project, changes requested by a customer were put into production immediately and delivered to the customer the following week, demonstrating the flexibility and security of supply of the domestic manufacturing chain.
A local production chain reduces the environmental burden - and strengthens the circular economy
When manufacturing takes place under one roof, there is naturally less waste in the overall process. At the brick factory in Brickyard, the waste heat from the brick manufacturing process is used to heat the BRIX system’s production facilities, reducing energy consumption. Similarly, the by-products and waste bricks from the manufacturing process are directly recycled as raw material for bricks, keeping the material in circulation and minimising waste.
Domesticity is also reflected in the daily life of the site. Short transport distances reduce the carbon footprint of logistics and enable the collection of system transport boxes from the work site back to the factory for reuse. It is a small solution, but at the scale of construction it has a significant impact on reducing site waste and making better use of resources. As a practical example, the Vilppulantie project, which is just starting, will deliver more than 700 BRIX prefabricated boxes – around ten truckloads – which will be collected as the site progresses and returned to the factory for reuse.
In addition, the BRIX system’s domestic components – such as Finnish steel – ensure that the economic benefits of production stay in Finland and with the Finnish workforce. Localisation is therefore not only an environmental act, but also an investment in domestic industry and skills.
A thin facade with a smaller carbon footprint - a technically and economically sound solution
Technical performance and environmental impact go hand in hand in façade solutions. A thin brick cladding uses less material than a traditional masonry structure, which translates directly into a smaller carbon footprint. The system is also lighter, allowing the design to make more use of thermal insulation without increasing the external dimensions of the building.
Increased insulation will reduce energy consumption in buildings, and a maintenance-free brick surface will ensure that structures remain dry and long-lasting without the need for constant maintenance. This is also reflected in the certifications: the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), BASTA classification, SundaHus A class and BVB hygiene label show that the solution meets the demanding Nordic sustainability criteria.
