The Decision to Establish a New Production Facility by Solar Foods Would Have Significant Impacts on Lappeenranta and Finland
The City of Lappeenranta is delighted that the food technology company Solar Foods is preparing an investment for the first industrial-scale production facility in Selkäharju, Lappeenranta. The investment decision will be made in 2026. The factory is intended to produce Solein® protein that is a carbon-neutral, sustainable microbial protein, produced independently of soil, air, and climate.
According to Tuomo Sallinen, mayor of the city of Lappeenranta, new investments like those of the Solar Food have a significant impact on the vitality of the whole of Finland and also promote national clean transition goals.
- The major investment prepared by Solar Foods in Lappeenranta is, of course, an important and encouraging matter for the city.
Ding Ma, the city of Lappeenranta’s head of economic development, says that the city organization succeeded excellently in its investment attraction and activities.
- In a short time, we presented them with three location options from Lappeenranta, and the options were efficiently reviewed with the company. Cooperation was carried out between the city's various sectors and Lappeenrannan Energia. If the factory project is realized, it will have significant vitality impacts on the city.
Among the various location options, Lappeenranta’s Selkäharju offers Solar Foods the best conditions for rapid project operations.
- One of Lappeenranta’s key advantages is Lappeenrannan Energia’s under-construction electricity transmission network from Ylikkälä to Simolantie. Additionally, the excess heat generated in the factory's production process can be utilized in the city's district heating network, says Pasi Vainikka, the CEO of Solar Foods.
Lappeenrannan Energia has anticipated the increase in the area's electricity consumption due to the energy transition and clean electrification by initiating a new connection line construction project.
- Our new 110 kV connection line enables the electrification of society throughout Lappeenranta area. Additionally, the increase in electricity transmission capacity allows efficient electricity supply to the company's plot in the area, says Arto Nikkanen, the CEO of Lappeenrannan Energia.
The construction of Solar Foods’ Factory 02 production facility is planned to take place in three phases, with the first phase of production expected to start in the year 2028.
Additional information:
Tuomo Sallinen, Mayor of the City of Lappeenranta
tel: +358 40 624 1422, tuomo.sallinen@lappeenranta.fi
Ding Ma, Head of Economic Development of the City of Lappeenranta
tel: + 358 40 660 4015, ding.ma@lappeenranta.fi
Arto Nikkanen, CEO, Lappeenrannan Energia
tel: +358 44 751 7211, arto.nikkanen@lreoy.fi
Pasi Vainikka, CEO, Solar Foods
tel: +358 10 579 3286, pasi.vainikka@solarfoods.com