ESG Activity Highlights

Over the years, Horizon has demonstrated good corporate citizenship traits and made contributions to environmental and social well-being in its community. For its environmental projects, Horizon has met or exceeded the benchmarks set by Estonian Ministry of the Environment as well as those of all applicable EU regulations. 

Here are some highlights of ESG activities at Horizon:

July 2024
Horizon carries out alternate education projects in cooperation with Anija Municipality

Horizon, in cooperation with Anija Municipality, carried out the following education projects in its community:-

  1. Training of educators on Verge Method (Norwegian method to prevent aggressive behaviour in children)
  2. Training of educators towards supporting children with special needs.
2023
Lime Sludge Recycling Project

Horizon increases its resource efficiency and decreases waste disposal to landfill by recycling and reusing lime sludge waste in its production processes. Read more about this project.

2022
Beginning teachers' development in Anija region of Estonia

With the support of IshK Tolaram Foundation, Horizon partners with NGO MTÜ Alustavat Õpetajat Toetav Kool to launch an  initative which provides training support for beggining teachers in Anija region.

2020
Outperforming EU 2020 Climate & Energy Targets

Horizon outperforms EU 2020 Climate & Energy Targets with a reduction of 80% GHG Emissions, 80% renewable energy share of total energy consumed in production and 21% improvement in energy efficiency.

2020
Food and other essentials for the homeless during COVID lockdown

During the COVID lockdown, homeless people were a vulnerable group which was affected. Food and other essentials were provided in collaboration with Estonian Food Bank (Eesti Toidupank) and Mother Theresa Missionaries of Charity to the homeless.

2020
Study modules taught at Kehra School

Horizon initiates teaching study modules at Kehra School for final year students, introducing them to natural science topics such as environment protection, sustainability and technology. Experienced Horizon personnel conduct lectures on these topics at the school.

2019
Active decreasing of water consumption

Horizon actively re-engineers its processes towards water conservation and invests in scrubber technology.

2017
Adoption of renewable energy

Horizon increases its renewable energy share of total energy consumed in production by 80% with investment in a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plant  generating renewable energy.

2017
Main sponsorship of Kehra Day

Horizon becomes the main sponsor of Kehra Day, an annual event held by the Kehra community.

2014
Reduction of natural resource lime use

A lime kiln system is installed which recycles over 90% of lime used in production process and decreases use of natural resource lime. Part of the total investment was awarded by Environmental Investments Centre in Estonia. The system was inaugurated by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (pictured above).

2012
Increasing production efficiency and waste recovery

Cooking plant with high efficiency is installed. It reduces environmental impact by improving waste recovery.

Horizon becomes the main sponsor for local sports team HC Kehra/Horizon Pulp & Paper

Handball team of Kehra community, HC Kehra/Horizon Pulp & Paper, would go on to win Estonian cup multiple times and compete in European handball tournaments. It is the most successful Estonian team in the Baltic Handball League.

2008
Conversion into harmless gases

A Concentrated Noncondensible Gas Collection and Incineration System (CNCG System) is installed. It collects, transfers and incinerates gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and disulfide. These gases are burned into harmless and non-objectionable gases.

2008
System for proper liquid waste disposal

A sludge press for liquid waste disposal is installed which creates opportunity to compost sewage sludge.

2002
Waste reduction through waste utilization

Horizon applies circular economy principles and installs an additional boiler powered by bark and wood waste from the processing plant. Thus, utilizing waste to reduce solid waste disposal.

2001
Improved air quality

Three projects were carried out in 2001 to improve air quality:

- Recovery Boiler installation which dramatically improved air quality.

- Electrostatic Precipitator installation which reduced dust emission to negligible level.

- Installation of a liquor concentrator.

1997
Efforts to keep local river clean

A Return Effluent system is installed to help in keeping the Northern Estonian river of Jägala clean.