HKScan’s plans for a new poultry processing facility in Rauma, Finland, got a boost on March 21 as an environmental permit for the plant was granted.
The company earlier announced its plans for the new plant in October 2015.
Construction of the new plant began at the beginning of 2016 and with the completion of construction scheduled at the end of 2017. The new facility will replace HKScan’s current production facility based in Eura.
The new plant will specialize in the growing poultry segment and the production of chicken-based products. Valued at around EUR80 million (US$90.2 million), the investment will increase production capacity and shorten throughput times, thus further improving HKScan’s product quality.
The state-of-the-art production technology to be installed at the new plant will enable the development of innovative Kariniemen novelties for the domestic and export markets. In compliance with its responsibility program, HKScan will strive to maximize material, energy and environmental efficiency in all equipment procured for the new plant.
Environmental permits for plants granted but subject to appeals
The Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency on March 21 granted HKScan Finland Oy an environmental permit for the Rauma facility. The decision will take effect after any appeals have been processed, with the deadline for appeals set for April 20. HKScan is authorized to initiate the construction process regardless of appeals.
The decision confirms that the Rauma plant complies with all the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, the Waste Act and the Nature Conservation Act. The plant also meets the stipulations of the city plan, master plan and regional plan.
In compliance with the Environmental Protection Act, the authorities have issued the permits following due consideration of the operations that will be carried out at the plant, the characteristics of its site, the plant’s foreseeable impacts on the environment, planned measures to prevent environmental degradation and the company’s financial capacity to undertake environmental protection measures.
The permits were processed rapidly and in good cooperation with the relevant authorities (the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, the Regional State Administrative Agency and the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency) and the City of Rauma. The provisions of the environmental permit can thus be taken into account during the planning process.
