Konecranes donates EUR 300,000 to support science, protect the Baltic Sea and help children in Ukraine
Konecranes has chosen the University of Helsinki, John Nurminen Foundation and Save the Children as its 2025 donation recipients. The donations - EUR 100,000 for each recipient - are in accordance with the authorization of the Konecranes Annual General Meeting and support the company's donation strategy of supporting science, environment and people in need.
Konecranes aims to create a positive difference in the communities where it operates and seeks partners through whom it can amplify its impact.
"I believe that every action aiming at creating a more sustainable and hopeful future matters. Through these donations, we're investing in knowledge, compassion, and the preservation of marine environment along with our partners," says Minna Aila, EVP, Corporate Affairs & Brand, Konecranes.
The University of Helsinki is an established partner of Konecranes. The donation targets research within machine vision, which combines computer vision and deep learning to enhance crane navigation. A crane more aware of its surroundings has great potential for increased productivity and safety - also a priority in Konecranes' own product development and solutions.
"The donation enables long-term research and supports the career development of young researchers within this field. Thanks to the donation, we can focus on safer and more efficient machine vision-enabled automation for cranes and material handling," says Laura Ruotsalainen, Professor of Spatiotemporal Data Analysis for Sustainability Science at the University of Helsinki.
The donation will fund a doctoral thesis and master's theses.
Konecranes has a significant number of employees, customers, and other stakeholders affected by the pollution of the Baltic Sea. The John Nurminen Foundation leads impactful projects on improving the condition of the Baltic Sea, from reducing its nutrient load to the restoration of the seabed.
"Our goal is to significantly reduce human-induced stress on the Baltic Sea by 2030. Konecranes' important donation helps our work to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea by reducing nutrient loads, curbing emissions from maritime traffic, restoring marine nature, and increasing public awareness of the sea and its protection," says Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, the CEO of John Nurminen Foundation.
Save the Children, the world's leading independent children's organization, is a new partner for Konecranes. Konecranes is deeply concerned about the impact of the war on children in Ukraine, particularly in the regions closest to the frontlines. Through Save the Children Finland, Konecranes will channel its donation to support children's learning and mental health in Ukraine.
"We are very grateful for Konecranes' significant support, which enables us to help ensure the continuity of education amidst the war and strengthen the mental health of children and young people in Ukraine. Children should be able to be children and continue to meet and play with friends even during the war," says Anne Haaranen, Director of International Programs at Save the Children Finland.
Further information:
Konecranes Media Desk
[email protected]
Konecranes is a global leader in material handling solutions, serving a broad range of customers across multiple industries. We consistently set the industry benchmark, from everyday improvements to the breakthroughs at moments that matter most, because we know we can always find a safer, more productive and sustainable way. That's why, with around 16,500 professionals in over 50 countries, Konecranes is trusted every day to lift, handle and move what the world needs. In 2024, Group sales totaled EUR 4.2 billion. Konecranes shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (symbol: KCR).