Foamit Group’s new CEO, Erja Sankari, is known as a bold, value-driven leader who sees the circular economy not only as an industrial opportunity, but as a necessity for future generations. Her story combines international supply chain expertise, a strong sustainability mindset, and a desire to create impact at scale.
When Erja Sankari stepped into the role of CEO of Foamit Group in 2025, she entered a position that felt like a natural continuation of her more than decade-long career in sustainable development. She has built her career in multidisciplinary technology and industrial companies, but one theme has remained constant: the integration of corporate sustainability and business.
Sankari’s thinking was shaped in particular at Nokia, where she led the global supply chain for mobile networks. Working in an international environment with customers in 150 countries provided her with a concrete view of companies’ real environmental impacts. The carbon footprint of supply chains and especially Scope 3 emissions became tangible and impossible to ignore.
Later, at iLOQ, she worked on developing battery-free digital access management technologies. There she learned how customer-driven innovation can transform an entire market when scaled effectively.
At Foamit, Sankari immediately recognized something both familiar and exceptional: the company’s ability to solve the challenge of fine glass waste in an industrially scalable way.
“What resonated with me at Foamit was its clear purpose. Turning waste glass into a valuable, low-carbon product is not just business, it’s a way to solve a real-world problem.”
A Strategy That Combines Ambition and Climate Impact
Foamit’s growth strategy was already familiar to Sankari before she became CEO, as she had been involved in defining it as a board member. At its core, the strategy aims to reach EUR 100 million in revenue by 2028 while strengthening profitability.
For Foamit and for Sankari growth is not an value in itself, but a means to a greater circular economy impact: more recycled glass, more low-carbon products, and a stronger role in transforming the construction sector. According to Sankari, Europe’s construction industry is undergoing a shift in which environmental impacts are becoming increasingly important, and Foamit is exceptionally well positioned for this transition.
Foamit is currently making significant investments. The electrification of the Onsøy plant in Norway with two new electric kilns will significantly reduce the life-cycle emissions of production. In Finland, the development of the Forssa plant improves production efficiency and reduces waste, supporting both financial performance and environmental responsibility.
Sankari also sees clear growth potential in small foam glass fractions. Expanding the use of foam glass into new applications, for example in the construction industry, can significantly broaden the market and increase product awareness among new target groups.
“A bold target is not a risk, it’s an opportunity. When the bar is set high enough, the organization finds ways to surpass itself.”
A Sustainable Company Is Built from the Inside Out
Values and culture are central to Sankari’s leadership. She believes that a company cannot credibly promote sustainable development unless it also operates according to the same principles internally. That is why culture and brand development have been elevated as strategic priorities at Foamit.
Safety, according to Sankari, is the foundation of Foamit’s operations. In production environments, accident prevention is a critical part of values-based leadership. The goal of zero accidents is therefore a necessity rather than a slogan.
Diversity and inclusion are both human and business imperatives for Sankari. In international growth, different perspectives and experiences are a strength. At Foamit, this is already evident at the board and management team level, where diversity is a deliberate asset, not a coincidence.
Ultimately, Sankari’s thinking comes back to one simple principle: a company must act in line with its values at every level.
Circular Economy at the Core of Low-Carbon Construction
The construction sector is changing rapidly. EU legislation is steering the industry toward circular economy models and low-carbon solutions. Projects increasingly require life-cycle emissions assessments, transparent environmental data, and responsible material choices.
According to Sankari, Foamit is in a strong position because it has been at the heart of the circular economy long before it became a trend. The company produces a material that is difficult to replace with a more environmentally friendly alternative: it utilizes waste glass, generates low emissions, and helps customers reduce the carbon footprint of their construction projects.
Sankari summarizes Foamit’s role as follows:
“We only have one planet. Every ton of recycled glass and every piece of foam glass is a step toward a more sustainable built environment. That is something to be proud of.”
Contact us