This series highlights the companies, innovations and faces of the EnergyVaasa cluster – you will also get a glimpse on what EnergyVaasa cluster coperation means for different companies. Let’s have a look at West Welding and see how their Marketing Manager, Silja Hyvönen, answers our tricky questions.
West Welding designs and manufactures pressure equipment that enables efficient solutions for the clean transition. Their most recent success story is their custom-made equipment for Norway’s world-leading carbon capture project, which converts cement plant flue gases into a form suitable for CO₂ capture.
Scroll down to discover West Welding’s latest innovation and how their equipment contributes to the clean transition across industrial sectors. Learn also about the role the EnergyVaasa cluster plays for West Welding, and get to know Silja Hyvönen (Marketing Manager) and Panu Perasto (Project Leader) — two key figures from the cluster. What makes them proud of their work, and what advice would they offer to others seeking opportunities within the cluster?
A recent success story - Waste Heat Recovery Units for the CCS plant in Brevik, Norway - click to read
What problem are you solving with this innovation – and how?
We delivered equipment to Norway’s world-leading carbon capture project, which converts cement plant flue gases into a form suitable for CO₂ capture. The innovation consists of tubular heat exchangers specifically designed, dimensioned, and optimized for this application. It enables the repurposing of heavy, large-scale flue gas equipment—typically used in traditional industries—for next-generation clean industrial processes.
What makes your technology unique and what’s next?
Nine massive units were manufactured specifically for this carbon project. Each unit is a different size and was custom-designed and engineered for its end use. Combining specialized expertise with industrial skill enables us to deliver complex systems on tight schedules while maintaining high quality standards.
Our current focus is on other large-scale projects that could benefit from our custom-made equipment.
Finding new opportunities in the EnergyVaasa cluster - click to read
If a startup joined the cluster today, what’s the first thing you’d tell them to do?
I would encourage them to network in the community. Share your ideas and find possible collaborations within the cluster as there are multiple companies with different skillset for clean transition.
What role does collaboration with the cluster play for you?
We’re happy to be part of the EnergyVaasa cluster — a network for sharing valuable insights and opportunities.
Give an example of how you used the EnergyVaasa cluster network!
This year, we delivered a district heat accumulator within the cluster network. We have also taken part in events such as EnergyWeek. As a fairly new member of the cluster, we are looking forward to exploring more opportunities for collaboration.
Faces of EnergyVaasa: Silja Hyvönen, Marketing Manager - click to read
What is your role in the company and what does your workday look like?
I am a Marketing Manager at West Welding. My workdays vary from day to day. They include planning marketing strategies and activities, creating content both visually and in writing, handling sustainability-related tasks, conducting analytics, and managing paid media campaigns.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your work?
People might be surprised at how versatile my work is. In marketing, much of the work happens “behind the scenes” and is not visible to the audience, even though communication across different platforms is an essential part of it.
What’s one project or achievement you’re especially proud of?
I am especially happy to be involved in developing our sustainability activities and reporting.
If budget and time were no issue – what dream project would you launch tomorrow?
I would launch a big event with different types of activities at West Welding’s facilities, where all our stakeholders, EnergyVaasa cluster companies and others, who are interested in our operations would be welcome to join.
What advice would you give someone seeking opportunities in the EnergyVaasa cluster?
From a marketing perspective, I would recommend reaching out to the contact persons at the EnergyVaasa cluster, as there may be interesting collaboration opportunities.
Faces of EnergyVaasa: Panu Perasto, Project Leader - click to read
What is your role in the company and what does your workday look like?
I am a project leader, and my workday consists of managing projects from start to finish. It includes having meetings with different stakeholders and taking care of the projects every step on the way. My role includes sales, marketing and engineering work.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your work?
How many different kinds of tasks, across both technical and commercial topics, need to be completed, from sales to the delivery of a project.
What’s one project or achievement you’re especially proud of?
I have enjoyed being part of all LNG projects. The delivery of nine waste heat recovery units to the CCS plant in Norway was successful. I thrive by solving and overcoming technical challenges.
If budget and time were no issue – what dream project would you launch tomorrow?
I would focus on e-fuels by analyzing the operational chains, supporting development, and identifying the right solutions.
What advice would you give someone seeking opportunities in the EnergyVaasa cluster?
In this area, dreams turn into reality.
West Welding builds and designs pressure equipment enabling clean transition - click to read
How does your work contribute to the clean transition?
West Welding designs and manufactures pressure equipment that enables efficient solutions for the clean transition. Beyond manufacturing, our ability to design equipment suitable for different substances, such as hydrogen, supports the clean transition across industrial sectors, including the energy industry. We turn green transition plans into concrete equipment for the processes, based on our expertise in the key chemicals, processes, and operating environments of modern clean transition technologies. With long-term experience in achieving industrial environmental goals, we have contributed to projects in heat recovery, the use of industrial chemicals, and flue gas systems.
What new trend in clean energy is most exciting – or most challenging – for your company right now and how are you responding to it?
We design and deliver equipment for applications such as carbon capture and utilization, ammonia as an energy carrier, and hydrogen storage and systems, while addressing challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement, which can cause significant damage to pressure equipment. We continuously develop as technologies advance and welcome new innovations. We actively participate in networks that explore and test new technologies, and the expertise gained from previous projects is applied in upcoming ones.
What drives innovation and development in your company?
Development and innovation at West Welding are driven by continuous progress across industrial sectors. Innovation is reflected in both design and manufacturing, with larger equipment, complete systems and modern tools in design for heat transfer and strength calculations. In production, we continuously develop by improving processes and introducing advanced manufacturing methods, particularly in welding. The use of new technologies and tools is a key part of our strategy, enabling us to meet global demand. In early 2026, our facilities will be expanded, allowing us to deliver even more comprehensive solutions including prefabrication and insulation.
In short, what does your company do, where do you operate and who are your customers?
West Welding is a pressure equipment manufacturer located in Teuva, Finland. We design, manufacture, deliver and install large and demanding pressure equipment for industrial processes. Projects are delivered on a turnkey basis, with customer-specific requirements addressed during a comprehensive design phase. Pressure equipment are manufactured in our own workshop in Teuva by qualified professionals. Our customers include companies from different sectors such as energy, green, pulp- and paper, chemical and maritime industries.
