Kemira adjusts portfolio

Kemira has announced plans to invest a “low double-digit millions of euros” sum to build a reactivation plant for activated carbon at its Helsingborg site in Sweden. Due to be operational in 2H 2027, this will supply the Nordic drinking water and wastewater markets and is part of a long-term strategy to double the water treatment business. It follows the acquisition of Norit’s UK reactivation business, Purton Carbons.

Shortly before this, Kemira  announced plans to consolidate some pulp and paper chemical production in North America, resulting in the closure of a site in Vancouver, which produces process and functional chemicals. Production will move in 1H 2025 to Washougal, Washington, where Kemira already makes these chemicals. The move is expected to streamline operational efficiency in North American operations in response to changing market conditions. The company added that the move is not related to the planned changes to its new operating model and organisational structure announced during Q3 2024.