New R&D centre for Kemira

Kemira and its pension fund, Neliapila, have signed a pre-agreement and lease agreement with a consortium of Ahlström Capital, Kirkon Eläkerahasto and Aktia Life Insurance. Under this, they will build a new research centre for Kemira as part of the Green Chemistry Park within a 5.5-hectare site at Espoo, near Helsinki in Finland.

“This is a significant strategic investment for us. Our objective is to develop completely new kinds of biobased products and other new solutions so that our customers can enjoy more sustainable and renewable end products,” said president and CEO Jari Rosendal.

The centre will have about 25,000 m2 of floor space, including laboratory and office spaces next to apartment buildings and a large park. It will cost about €70-80 million to build and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024. Neliapila owns the land itself, while Espoo (pictured), which has been voted the world's most sustainable city, has been the centre of Kemira’s R&D for many years.