CEO Matti Hietanen appointed as Chair of the Finnish Battery Industries
Battery companies in Finland have established an industry association. Nine companies have joined it as founding members.
16. January 2023
The battery industry is a rapidly growing sector in Finland. There are several large-scale projects already ongoing in different parts of the country. The electrification of society and the national battery strategy are boosting investments in Finland. The most important minerals required by the battery industry can also be found in the country. In addition, Finland can offer renewable energy and top-class expertise.
An industry association called ‘Akkuteollisuus ry – Finnish Battery Industries’ has been established on 16 January 2023 to enhance the visibility of the industry and its interests. Matti Hietanen, CEO of Finnish Minerals Group, has been appointed as its first Chair.
Hietanen says that the battery industry has been recognised as a globally important sector that can cut emissions from both transport and the energy industry as well as create jobs and economic growth.
“In Finland, we have briskly set out to develop industrial projects in this sector with low carbon footprints that can compete for top positions worldwide. When implemented, these projects and the state-of-the-art mining operations required to engage in battery manufacturing will provide Finland with a boost to economic growth and bolster the autonomy of European industry. Tapping into the opportunities at hand calls for streamlining permit processes for investments, good cost competitiveness, high-quality infrastructure and the further development of expertise in cooperation with industry,” says Hietanen.
Pia Vilenius appointed as Managing Director
At the inaugural meeting of the Finnish Battery Industries association, Pia Vilenius from the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland was appointed as its Managing Director. The new association operates under the umbrella of the Chemical Industry Federation.
“The Battery Industry Association was established with the aim of bolstering the promotion of the interests of this vigorously growing sector. For several years now, the Battery Group has been active in the Chemical Industry Federation – and now was a good time to establish a new association to make such interest promotion activities official. Thanks to new investments, the industry is becoming more important. For this reason, it was vital for the industry to establish its own association,” says Vilenius.
The battery industry investment potential in Finland is vast. The companies have plans to make investments worth EUR 6 billion in the next 5 years. By 2027, the companies plan to have a revenue of EUR 9 billion. The amount of employees is estimated to be 6,000 and indirectly as much as 20,000.
The Battery Industry Association is, as far as we know, the world’s first interest promotion association in this industry. The founding members of this new association are Suomen Malmijalostus Oy, Terrafame Oy, Umicore Finland Oy, Jervois Finland Oy, Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta Oy, Fortum Battery Recycling Oy, BASF Battery Materials Finland Oy, Keliber Oy and CNGR Finland Oy.
Images:
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Further information:
Matti Hietanen, CEO, Finnish Minerals Group
firstname.surname(at)mineralsgroup.fi, +358 40 823 8806
The mission of Finnish Minerals Group is to responsibly maximise the value of Finnish minerals. We manage the State’s mining industry shareholdings and strive to develop the Finnish value chain of lithium-ion batteries. Through our work, we contribute to Europe moving towards electric transport and a more sustainable future. www.mineralsgroup.fi