The battery industry must play by Finnish rules
Finland has become one of Europe’s key battery regions. Various “battery plant projects” are currently underway, planned, and/or under construction in Finland, at least in Kotka, Harjavalta, and Vaasa.
The battery plant under construction in Keltakallio, Kotka, is a facility producing cathode active material. I supported its location in Kotka in the city council at the time, and I still stand behind that decision. The most important reason was and is employment. The plant brings direct jobs to hundreds of people and creates significant employment in the region in the fields of logistics, maintenance services, and construction. In addition to jobs, the plant brings tax revenue to the city and gives educational institutions the opportunity to develop training content that produces expertise and professionals for a new industry.
The reports during the past summer and early autumn regarding the weakened working conditions and wage deductions of Chinese workers at the construction site were very unpleasant. It is completely unacceptable that practices violating Finnish labor legislation would be applied at an industrial site located in Finland. Fortunately, the plant’s Finnish shareholder, Finnish Minerals Group, has already begun an investigation into the situation.
Regarding battery material plants, there has also been discussion about the ownership base and dependence on China. However, it should be noted that in the Kotka project, the Chinese company Easpring Finland New Materials Oy represents the kind of battery technology expertise and capital without which the battery plant would not have been established.
The battery material plant is a great opportunity for Kotka. The progress of the plant’s operations and construction is a great thing for our region’s vitality, but it must be remembered that success requires great responsibility. All operations must be able to withstand public scrutiny.