Ecolan refines industrial side streams into eco- and climate-friendly products for forestry, agriculture, earthwork, and environmental construction. The company’s main production facilities are located in Viitasaari and Nokia, with a partner facility in Rovaniemi, all in Finland. The company also provides nationwide forest fertilising services. Ecolan collects suitable side products from businesses for use as raw material, including ashes from heat and power generation. The company is a pioneer in utilising industrial side streams as raw material for new nutrient cycle and recovered material solutions.
“What started as small-scale industrial activity in the barn of the company’s founder Hannu Tukiainen in Liperi has grown into one of Finland’s leading industrial enterprises in the circular economy with Korona Invest funding,” says Vesa Lehtomäki, Chairman of the Board at Korona Invest.
The deal signed today will not change Ecolan’s practices or values and requires no changes in personnel. Juha Ahvenainen will continue as the company’s Managing Director after the sale. “The company’s competence in utilising industrial side streams has proved first-rate in international comparisons. We thank Korona Invest for their support and skill, which have allowed us to navigate the challenges of our growth period. Our new owner will provide the resources necessary to put our company’s talents to use internationally,” says Ahvenainen.
Yara aims to participate in climate-neutral food production with farmers and the food manufacturing industry by offering sustainable farming solutions, tools, and expertise. Future nutrient solutions will include recycled nutrients, and Yara’s strategic objective is to expand its offering in the growing organic production segment. “Our collaboration with Ecolan has been excellent, and we can now better combine the expertise of both Ecolan and Yara to further develop recycled fertilisers. Our objective is to offer recycled fertilisers in Finland and the wider European market,” says Timo Räsänen, Director of Speciality Products at Yara.
Yara is a global producer of fertilisers, industrial chemicals, and environmental solutions. Yara has produced fertilisers for 100 years as part of the Finnish food supply chain. In Finland, Yara has some 900 employees and affects the employment of more than 4,500 people. www.yara.fi
Ecolan is a Finnish pioneer of the circular economy. Ecolan refines industrial side streams into eco- and climate-friendly products for forestry, agriculture, earthwork, and environmental construction. The company was founded in 1995 and employs 24 people. www.ecolan.fi
Korona Invest is a Finnish private equity investment firm specialising in financing growth companies. Korona Invest makes responsible investments in profitable enterprises, regardless of industry, that are seeking and capable of growth and have net sales in the €2–20 million range. www.koronainvest.fi
Additional information:
Timo Räsänen, Director of Speciality Products, Yara, Nordics and Baltics
tel. +358 50 337 4514
Vesa Lehtomäki, Chairman of the Board, Korona Invest Oy
tel. +358 50 337 6969
