SmartRetur Expands in Finland and Accelerates Sustainability Efforts

This content is reposted from Packing Revolution. The full article is available here: https://packagingrevolution.net/smartretur-secures-posten-bring-deal/

May 29, 2025 By Rick LeBlanc

SmartRetur scales circular logistics across the Nordics with plastic pallets, digital control, and renewable transport.

SmartRetur is rapidly expanding its impact across the Nordic region. From launching operations in Finland with durable plastic pallets to winning a nationwide return logistics contract with Posten Bring in Norway and advancing its renewable energy initiatives in Denmark, the company is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and efficiency in load carrier management.

Scandinavian Reverse Logistics Leader Strengthens Circular Economy Strategy Across Nordic Region

SmartRetur, the Nordic region’s dominant player in reverse logistics, is deepening its footprint with a trio of strategic moves: launching operations in Finland with its proprietary plastic pallet program, winning a major return logistics tender with Norway’s state-owned postal operator Posten Bring, and implementing tangible sustainability measures in Denmark including electric transport and renewable energy integration.

Finland Launch Completes Nordic Network

With operations already established in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, SmartRetur’s entry into Finland marks the completion of a true pan-Nordic network. Central to its Finnish debut is the rollout of plastic Euro-pallets—a move the company sees as essential for aligning with EU-wide CO₂ and waste-reduction goals.

“Finland represents a natural next step in our Nordic growth strategy,” said Magnus Krook, Group CEO of SmartRetur. “With our industry-leading digital portal, our proven plastic pallets, and our established warehouse network across the region, we’re uniquely positioned to serve Finnish and Nordic clients with the same circular solution our Scandinavian customers have come to enjoy.”

Newly appointed CEO of SmartRetur Finland, Petri Sakari Toivanen, brings 25 years of international experience from brands like Gillette and Fiskars. Toivanen is confident Finnish retailers and manufacturers will embrace plastic pallets despite initial skepticism around plastic’s environmental reputation. “Tracking will reduce loss to an absolute minimum, and if you add properties like no dust, minimal breakage, and no water absorption, you have the cleanest and smartest load carrier on the market,” he said.

The company emphasizes durability and automation readiness as core advantages. “We can see that the pallets have a minimum lifespan of 20 years compared to wooden pallets, which on average last three years,” Toivanen added. “It’s also perfect for automation as it can be RFID-identified in all four corners.”

Posten Bring Taps SmartRetur Norge for National Pallet Management

In Norway, SmartRetur has been awarded a high-profile contract renewal with Posten Bring, the country’s state-owned postal and logistics operator. SmartRetur Norge will handle pallet return logistics across the national network, excluding Bergen, further cementing its leadership in the region.

“We are of course very proud and satisfied to renew our agreement with Posten Bring, where our task will be delivering a comprehensive, adaptable, and sustainable product,” said Trond Juliussen, Director at SmartRetur Norge.

The collaboration will see SmartRetur deploy its digital IT platform, likened by the company to “an online bank for load carriers,” giving Posten Bring real-time visibility into pallet inventories and flows. SmartRetur is also expanding its AI-based pallet scanning to ensure higher sorting accuracy and quality assurance.

Posten Bring’s Torleiv Brennhovd, in Corporate Procurement, underscored the decision: “The choice of SmartRetur is a confirmation that innovation and ESG documentation have become more important in the transport and pallet industry, in addition to adaptable national solutions and efficient operations.”

The renewed agreement runs for a minimum of three years and covers collection, sorting, repair, and delivery through SmartRetur Norge’s Oslo-area hubs and regional facilities in Trondheim and Stavanger.

Denmark: Electric Trucks and Renewable Energy at SmartWash

Meanwhile, SmartRetur Denmark continues to lead by example with new sustainability milestones. The company recently introduced an electric truck to service Carlsberg’s route, with a second expected by year’s end. According to the company, each electric truck cuts environmental impact by roughly 90% compared to traditional diesel-powered alternatives.

At its SmartWash facility, SmartRetur has phased out gas heating in favor of district heating sourced from 92% renewable energy. These changes reflect the company’s broader emissions reduction goals: a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 34% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030.

“Transporting more of the pallets by electric rather than fossil trucks, and changing to renewable energy in production are all initiatives aligned with our strategy to reduce our climate footprint,” the company stated. From scalable technology and long-life pallets to AI-enhanced tracking and renewable energy integration, the company continues to offer a template for ESG-compliant logistics systems across Europe.