Sustainability that works: how responsible business drives real customer value 

Sustainability is often seen as a challenge. At Lindström, we see it as an opportunity to grow smarter, serve better, and help our customers do the same. 

In episode 10 of The Changers podcast by Gasgrid, our SVP of Strategy and Sustainability, Kati Pallasaho, shares how we’ve embedded sustainability into our services and customer value. This article builds on that discussion, showing how our circular service model and long-term sustainability work translate into concrete benefits for our customers, from smoother operations and reduced risks to stronger compliance and reporting support. 

Outsourcing allows customers to focus on their core business 

Lindström’s business model is built on the circular economy principles and textiles as a service. Instead of buying, managing and maintaining their own textiles, our customers simply receive the textiles they need: clean, safe, and always ready to use. We take care of the entire lifecycle from design and production to washing, maintenance, repairs, replacements, delivery and recycling. Our service includes regular deliveries straight to customer sites and collection of used items for servicing, so customers never have to worry about inventory levels, logistics or textile quality. Everything runs smoothly in the background, allowing customers to focus fully on their own business while we handle the rest. 

This model simplifies our customers’ daily operations and supports their sustainability goals, without tying up their internal resources in logistics or upkeep. 

Our job is to make sustainable choices easy for our customers, without the extra hassle.

Kati Pallasaho

Sustainability at the heart of strategy 

At Lindström, sustainability isn’t a separate initiative, but a key part of how we run our business. It’s built into our company strategy, and it shows up in the everyday decisions we make, across all our services and operations. 

Our strategy is built on the belief that sustainability and business growth go hand in hand. When we do things right, we grow our business in a responsible way.

Kati Pallasaho

This approach brings real value to our customers. We know that quality, safety and reliability are critical, especially in industries like manufacturing, pharma and food. That’s why we’re constantly improving how we use resources, reuse materials and report our results. 

For example, we’re increasing the share of recycled fibres in our textiles. That means we’re less dependent on natural resources like cotton and water, which helps reduce environmental impact and improves supply security. So even if there are disruptions or shortages, you can count on us to deliver. 

We’ve also taken a hard look at our emissions and set clear, science-based targets to keep our growth sustainable. In 2024, greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 7%. One major contributor was our switch to renewable diesel in Finland, which reduced delivery-related emissions by 23% and helped bring down our total emissions by 5% across the Group. That’s good for the planet – and good for you. It means fewer environmental risks, clearer reporting, and a smoother, more efficient service. 

Our efforts are backed up by external recognition: we’ve earned Ecovadis Platinum status, placing us among the top 1% of companies globally for sustainability performance. And with detailed reporting on our operations, we make it easy for you to understand our progress and use that information in your own sustainability reporting. 

We can give our customers real data on their own service use, like carbon footprint, water consumption per washed kilo, and recycling rates. It’s concrete, measurable information they can use in their own sustainability reporting, which is becoming more and more essential.”

Kati Pallasaho

From strategy to impact 

Lindström has long been a frontrunner in the circular economy, and the results speak for themselves. Highlights from our sustainability work in 2024 include:  

• 36% of purchased textiles contain recycled fibres 

• 92% of new standard mats are textile-based, 75% made from recycled materials 

• Water usage in washing dropped to 7.08 litres per kilo 

• In water-stressed areas, consumption decreased by 1.2% despite higher volumes 

• Mat recycling increased from 24% to 69% thanks to new partnerships 

• Emissions dropped 7% in 2024 despite business growth
• In Finland, customer delivery emissions fell 23% due to renewable diesel 

Change is driven by people 

Of course, none of this would be possible without our people. We believe that when our people feel safe, supported and included, they do their best work. That shows in the service you get, from consistent quality to new ideas and innovations that help us support your business even better. 

Change, after all, is driven by people. That’s why we put a strong focus on empowering our employees and growing sustainability awareness across the organisation, not just in leadership, but on the ground where the real work happens. 

Sustainable development isn’t just about technical solutions or efficient processes. It’s primarily about a shift in mindset.

Kati Pallasaho 

We’ve built responsibility into daily operations and track our progress through clear indicators at both business unit and group level. Whether it’s a small improvement or a bigger breakthrough, every idea is welcomed. And when our people feel they can bring their whole selves to work, they innovate, take ownership and deliver better outcomes – for our customers, our communities, and the planet. 

Growth rooted in values 

For Lindström, responsibility means taking care of both people and the planet. It’s part of how the company operates, makes decisions, and grows in the long term. 

We believe that long-term, values-based business is the only truly sustainable path to the future.

Kati Pallasaho 

Key takeaways:

We offer circular and easy-to-use textile services.

What we do.