This year Nordkalk celebrates 120 years of limestone activities near the Finnish town of Pargas. Although the name has varied over the past 120 years, it has been decided to expire from 1898, when Otto Moberg founded Pargas Kalkberg's Limited Company, as the lime business has still been ongoing.
At the company, they look forward to a year of growth.
"It's relatively good for Nordkalk right now. Certainly, there are some challenges in terms of competition from Europe, where the price level is lower. It has also led to a fall in the price level in Finland, but we have also managed to increase sales in 2017, says Hannu Hautala, who took over as CEO one year ago.
"At the same time, we have managed to expand in Europe. We have opened a new mine in Turkey, where we now invest and invest in a new crushing plant. We are also investigating the construction of a kiln furnace in the coming years.
- Turkey is a very interesting venture for the company, says Hautala.
"The area in Turkey where our mine is located in a growing market. There is a lot of construction projects going on. Built by one of the world's largest bridges, it's just about to start. On both sides of the bridge is built the highway and along the buildings, power stations and a gold mine will also be started. In all of these, limestone and burned lime are needed, which opens up opportunities for us, explains Hautala.
Secured limestone reserves also in the future
In order for the company to continue to grow, limestone reserves must also be secured. That's why, as I recently expanded the mine in Pargas, the mine in Villmanstrand. In addition, plans are being made to expand the activities of the existing mine in Poland.
Also in Gotland, Nordkalk has plans to expand the mine in Klinthagen and investigate possible lime deposits in Buttle.
- Pargas is, as Nordkalk's main place, extremely important for the company, says Hautala.
The mine in Pargas is estimated to have the only limestone for thirty years, but Hautala assures that Pargas will continue to be an important place for Nordkalk.
"The limestone is of very good quality here and there is skilled and dedicated staff. In addition, the neighbors also tolerate the existence of a limestone mine right next to their homes, is also important, adds Hautala.
Source: Svenska YLE
