Global chemicals company Kemira has celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony of the EriCa green chemistry park in the Finnoo district, Espoo, Finland.
The Green Chemistry Park facility will comprise an advanced laboratory and office area for Kemira’s research and development (R&D) centre, as well as many other chemistry sector operators. In addition, there will be housing units and a park.
Phase one of the project will see the development of a 3,100m² office area, 8,600m² of laboratory space, and 730m2 of meeting area, along with a restaurant.
The sustainable chemistry ecosystem is being constructed by industry operators and startups.
Under a pre-agreement and a lease agreement, Kemira, Kemira’s Pension Found Neliapila and a consortium of Ahlström Capital, Kirkon Eläkerahasto and Aktia Life Insurance are building a new research centre for Kemira. The new centre will be part of the Green Chemistry Park concept.
Upon completion, Kemira’s R&D centre will relocate to this new facility. Finnoo has been home to Kemira’s Research Centre since 1972.
Construction works are predicted for completion in the autumn (August to October) of 2025.
Kemira interim president and CEO Petri Castrén said: “Espoo Research centre has been in the Finnoo area already more than 50 years and is and will remain a key backbone of our R&D operations in the future. This is a significant strategic investment for us and it is great that the construction has now started.”
This innovation centre in the Finnoo neighbourhood is accessible through the new metro line and the Länsiväylä motorway.
EriCa, along with Otaniemi and Kiviruukki, forms a significant professional competency centre in Espoo.
Finnoo is expected to develop into a 17,000-resident urban and energy-efficient suburb in the future.
Ahlström CEO Lasse Heinonen said: “We are happy that this unique industry- ja science park building works have been initiated. Together with Kemira and our partners, we can build a better world for future generations.”
