HKScan invests millions in Finnish poultry facility

Nordic meat company HKScan is to invest €80 million in a production facility specialising in poultry products in Rauma, Finland.

The new facility is scheduled for completion at the end of 2017 and will rank among the most significant production-related investments in HKScan’s history so far.

The added capacity and optimised technology enabled by the investment will allow the group to develop in the home and export markets. Faster processes will mark a further improvement in product quality. “The investment will strengthen HKScan’s foothold on the rapidly expanding poultry market and in value-added product categories, which are our strategic focus segments,” says CEO Hannu Kottonen.

Improved productivity

“Our productivity will improve significantly thanks to state-of-the-art technology, automation and greater overall process efficiency. At the same time, we will be able to utilise side-streams more efficiently for the production of biotech products. The investment will also generally improve our environmental efficiency,” adds Kottonen.

Complying with HKScan’s Corporate Responsibility Programme, the new facility will adopt solutions to promote occupational health and safety and to maximize material, energy and environmental efficiency. Biosecurity related to risks of animal diseases will also improve.

Employment opportunities in meat industry

The investment will safeguard long-term employment opportunities in the meat industry in western Finland. It will have significant direct and indirect employment impact.

Now that the location of the facility has been decided officially, HKScan will apply for the necessary permits without delay in the hope of gaining approval from the authorities as soon as possible. Preliminary permit surveys have already been made. When the Rauma facility is completed it will replace HKScan’s current production unit in Eura.