Varasto - Sustainability data and digital supply chains in the construction industry

The construction industry is facing major changes. In many companies, procurement is still handled manually: data is transferred via Excel spreadsheets and PDF documents. However, pressure is mounting on companies as the operating environment changes. Reporting obligations related to sustainability are increasing, and at the same time, the EU’s and Finland’s digitalization programs will require companies to transition toward interoperable, automated, and transparent data transfer processes.

TIEKE, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, and KIRAHub are responding to this change with the Varasto project, developing digital and standardized methods for the construction industry to transfer data in procurement and supply chains. The goal is for construction companies to utilize data more efficiently, reduce manual work, and strengthen their sustainability reporting.

What does the project do?

The project investigates how electronic business messages (orders, delivery notices, invoices, and related sustainability data) could be effectively implemented in the construction industry. These messages are based on the Peppol standard, which the EU and Finland are currently rolling out on a large scale. When order and delivery information, as well as carbon footprint data, are automatically transferred from one system to another, companies’ administrative workload is reduced and the data is reliable and up-to-date.

The Varasto project will implement three main components:

Studies based on companies’ needs on how digital messages and sustainability data can be integrated into the supply chain.

Training sessions and webinars for SMEs to familiarize them with digital procurement practices so they can apply them in their own operations.

Pilot projects in which companies test new solutions in practice—how electronic ordering works, how sustainability-related data (e.g., CO₂ data) is transferred in procurement messages, and what benefits are generated.

Why is the project important?

In the construction sector in Finland, standardized order-invoice messages are rarely used. A large amount of information is still processed manually. This leads to errors, costs, and inefficiency.

At the same time, EU regulations governing sustainability reporting (such as the CSRD Directive) require companies to collect reliable data on emissions and the origin of materials. Currently, this data is not transferred automatically within the supply chain; instead, collecting it is slow and expensive.

The project’s solutions help companies increase their level of digitalization and meet new requirements from both the market and regulators. When procurement data and sustainability data are combined, companies can make better decisions and increase their competitiveness.

Who is the project aimed at?

The project is aimed at the entire construction industry supply chain:

SMEs that need clear, effective ways to utilize standardized order and invoice messages

material suppliers and general contractors who need to transition to automated data transfer

designers and developers who want to integrate procurement data with sustainability data

software companies and financial management service providers that develop software for businesses

public organizations involved in procurement development.

The project specifically supports SMEs in the Uusimaa region, but its lessons and models can be utilized throughout Finland and internationally.

What are the benefits of the project?

When order and delivery information, invoices, and sustainability data are automatically exchanged in message format, companies can:

streamline their procurement processes

reduce errors and duplicate work

improve supply chain transparency

meet EU sustainability requirements significantly more easily

adopt new digital business models

strengthen their competitiveness in a changing market.

The pilots provide concrete evidence of how digitalization works in practice and what benefits companies can gain even in the short term.

For more information contact project manager Timo.Simell@tieke.fi