This fall, JTK Power delivered the world’s first low-carbon engine silencer to Wärtsilä – a milestone that reflects JTK Power’s ambition to advance more sustainable marine operations and energy production. “To have the Earth be a good place to live in 50 years is a driving force for any responsible company”, says Managing Director Robert Ollus.
The pioneering silencer, made of SSAB Zero™ steel and boasting CO2 emissions almost 50% lower than those of a traditional silencer, will attenuate noise in a new-fuel marine engine. Once a suitable customer project was identified, the development of the silencer at JTK Power advanced rapidly.
“In the design phase, one of the key questions was whether the low-carbon steel would meet the demands of a challenging application. We found that its properties – such as heat resistance, weather resistance, and low-temperature toughness – match those of traditional steel”, explains Product & Sales Manager Iisakki Ala-Kauppila, who led the project at JTK Power.
Wärtsilä: “JTK Power is paving the way in the industry”
After confirming the material’s suitability, JTK Power put its 27 years of expertise into action. Due to the limited availability of low-carbon steel, adjustments were required in material thickness – a process JTK Power carried out with confidence and decades of technical expertise.
“JTK Power is paving the way in the industry”, says Tomi Hämäläinen, Sourcing Manager Marine at Wärtsilä. “From our perspective, they executed this pioneering project as seamlessly as any other. We thank JTK Power for the successful project and their persistence in driving it forward.”
“We’re extremely pleased that JTK Power chose us as their supplier and that our long-standing partnership has culminated in such a groundbreaking project”, adds Timo Risku, Regional Sales Manager at SSAB Europe.
JTK Power’s solutions help lower emissions where it matters the most
The marine and energy sectors, together with steelmaking, are major global emission sources – accounting for roughly one-third and 7% of global CO₂ emissions, respectively. As a result, regulations are tightening, and shipbuilders, shipyards, and equipment manufacturers are actively seeking more sustainable solutions to meet the growing pressure and demand for low-emission alternatives. JTK Power takes pride in using its expertise and products to help lower emissions exactly where they have significant impact.
“Projects like these are a strategic choice for us”, says Ollus. “Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. By leveraging our experience and readiness to take on ambitious ventures, we aim to make a real difference. We also hope to inspire young professionals who want to build a sustainable future – at JTK Power, projects like this allow employees to truly drive change.”
Low-carbon steel products will become the new standard
JTK Power is now fully equipped to transition to exclusively using “green steel” in its products. As market demand continues to grow, both Ollus and Ala-Kauppila are confident that low-carbon steel products will soon become the new standard. JTK Power’s early start in sustainable noise attenuation ensures that when demand peaks, their solution will be proven and production-ready.
“This first low-carbon silencer has a carbon footprint 50% lower than a traditional one. As suppliers bring production closer and expand their range of low-carbon steels, we’ll be able to deliver silencers with even smaller footprints for a wider range of applications. We haven’t reached the finish line – but we’re off to a strong start”, Ala-Kauppila says.
“It feels great to be the first manufacturer in the world to achieve this. We’ve opened the way for others and believe our example will encourage more companies to follow. We’re especially pleased to have carried out this project with two long-standing partners, Wärtsilä and SSAB – a shared success is always the most rewarding kind. In the long term, the impact of this project will be felt across the entire industry”, Ollus concludes.
Read our press release about the delivery of the low-carbon silencer.
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