Ekovirta training provides tools for more sustainable packaging and textiles

The Ekovirta training gave professionals in the textile and packaging sector a framework for developing sustainability.

Text by Mari Loikkanen

In the future, companies will be required to do more in terms of sustainability and responsibility. This is particularly true for the packaging and textiles sectors. A training course was organised at Turku University of Applied Sciences to improve the sustainability skills of those working in or aspiring to work in the sector in marketing, quality management and supply chain management.

− There was a clear need for training and the courses filled up quickly. There is a lot of new legislation coming in the area of sustainable packaging and textiles. There has clearly been an acute need for information, for example on green marketing, which affects many industries, says Kaisa Sorsa, Principal Lecturer.

Tuula Heikkilä from Tampere was inspired to participate in the training because she wanted to gain more knowledge that she could use in her job as a quality manager in the packaging company Walki Plastiroll.

− At Walki, we have a strong commitment to sustainability and I wanted to get an update on the related requirements. I also needed tips on how to develop a quality management system and internal audits, says Heikkilä.

The Ekovirta training consisted of three different courses on green marketing, sustainable quality management and supply and production chain management. Heikkilä attended two of the courses.

The courses that stood out for her were supply and production chain management and environmental aspects of the entire value chain. The training gave her the knowledge to manage a responsible supply chain and the knowledge of social responsibility regulations to meet the requirements of EU CSR legislation.

According to Heikkilä, it can be seen that the environmental aspect is also becoming increasingly important to customers, and inquiries are being received about the carbon footprint of products and operations, for example.

− After the training, I will be able to take better account of sustainability also outside the core operations and demand more information from material suppliers, Heikkilä says.

More awareness of regulatory changes

The Ekovirta training focused on the legislation and standards related to sustainable packaging and textile materials. The aim of the training was to improve the skills to enable companies to anticipate regulatory changes.

Legislation and regulation are constantly changing, the latest example being the EU Ecodesign Regulation, which entered into force in 2024, relating to the design of products and how to make them more environmentally friendly. The Corporate Responsibility Directive and the Reporting Directive are also topical and binding on companies.

Some of the regulation only applies to large companies. However, large companies collect data from the supply chain and this is how the regulation is extended to small companies.

− The aim was to make students aware of the increasing amount of regulation and the extent to which it covers areas such as marketing communications. It would be particularly important that not only large companies but also SMEs would be interested in regulation and requirements and be able to seek information on what changes are coming, says Kaisa Sorsa.

Business presentations and discussions fruitful

The training aimed to demonstrate, through exercises and examples, what the future regulation would mean in practice. There were also presentations from companies and case studies.

Tuula Heikkilä found the visits of the business lecturers particularly interesting. The networking opportunities and discussions with others were also rewarding.

− The training provided me with tips and new ideas for my working life, for example on value chain thinking and green and environmental claims. It was also useful to have access to standard archives to read different standards, Heikkilä says.

The Ekovirta training was delivered online and remotely. Participation was free of charge and each course was a total of five credits.

The Ekovirta training is funded by the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment and the European Union’s NextGenerationEU instrument. The Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment Services promotes the development of skills of working age and the availability of a skilled workforce. The Service Centre is managed by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.