The market for environmental technology is estimated to be over $4 billion in 2007, including professional services. Since the end of the 1990s, the market has grown by over 15 percent a year.  The metals industry and the pulp and paper industry are the two major investors in environmental technology, especially in air pollution and water protection technologies.  The producer responsibility principle in waste management has increased reuse and recycling offering new business opportunities for U.S. companies.

The environmental sector in Finland has evolved into a dynamic area where production of new technologies is gaining international prominence.  Both individuals and leaders of industry have become highly conscious of the high standards of environmental protection and preservation.  In Finland, the necessity for utilizing the best available technology is included in the Water Act, Air Pollution Control Act, Waste Act and Sea Protection Act.   

Demand for air pollution control equipment is strong in Finland due to increasing environmental concerns in the surrounding countries (i.e. in Russia the Kola Peninsula, St. Petersburg and the Baltic States).  Given the U.S. reputation for providing top quality air pollution control equipment, these products have good potential in Finland. 

Eutrophication is the main water protection problem in lakes and in the Gulf of Finland, resulting from excessive nutrient loads.  More than one-half of the anthropogenic discharges come from agriculture.

The key competitive factors in selling environmental technology in Finland are quality and level of technology, with price as a secondary factor.  For monitoring, measuring and control equipment, using an importer is recommended.  Finnish importers have direct distribution channels to the end users and have strong relations with the various energy, chemical, or paper manufacturers, as well as direct access to the municipalities that mainly invest in wastewater technologies. 

There are some 300 environmental technology firms in Finland of which about 20 percent operate abroad as well.  A majority of the Finnish companies are small-to-medium size companies.  To support Finnish environment technologies know-how in the field, the government-funded technology centers Tekes (Technology Development Center) and VTT (Technical Research Center of Finland) support and enhance R&D in environmental technologies, especially in air pollution control equipment, thus creating a market with increased local competition.