Delivering raw materials to industry and the infrastructure sector cost-effectively and quickly.
We purchase, store and deliver raw materials and additives to industry and the infrastructure sector cost-effectively and quickly in Finland and the neighboring areas. Where necessary, we can even perform the entire raw material purchasing function on the customer’s behalf, and managing the by-products generated in the customer’s production is also part of our operations. This allows the customer to focus on their core competencies.
Growth and renewal
The improved economic climate was reflected in Berner’s agency business. In 2017, our exports grew nearly tenfold and our imports also saw substantial growth. We established many new customer relationships, and we also found suppliers on nearly every continent.
Our volumes grew, which improved the cost-effectiveness of our operations. We are pursuing more comprehensive management of supply chain flows and greater efficiency by combining and consolidating the flows of goods.
We expanded our operations to Sweden during the year. Our new representative in Sweden provides our expanding customer base with more effective local services.
New circular economy solutions for our industrial customers
Refining and selling the by-products of our customers’ production operations is continuously creating new opportunities for us. At the same time, it serves to create a closer customer relationship that benefits both parties.
Using glycerol in waste water treatment
In waste water treatment, nitrites are removed in a process known as denitrification. This is typically done with methanol, a toxic and flammable alcohol. Its use requires extensive protective measures and the costs of using methanol have also increased in recent times. For these reasons, alternatives to methanol have been sought. One potential carbon source is the industrial by-product glycerol. The use of glycerol is environmentally friendly, efficient and inexpensive.
Outi Post, a Sales Engineer in Berner’s Agency business, wrote a thesis on this topic at the Tampere University of Applied Sciences, in the field of Chemical Engineering. Outi’s thesis focused on the use of glycerol as an alternative to methanol in a waste water treatment process. Based on Outi’s analyses and testing, glycerol is a suitable alternative to methanol in waste water treatment.
“Glycerol is generated as a by-product in various industrial manufacturing processes. The growing production of biodiesel is one good example of such processes. The research attracted widespread interest and also helped our other customers make more effective use of their glycerol side streams”, says Outi.