Journee-Mondiale > Travel is home to the world’s largest collection of aquatic plants This surprising fact sets the stage for a journey through a coastal gem that redefines Nordic charm Perched on the southeastern coast of Finland Kotka is a maritime marvel that seamlessly blends industrial heritage with natural splendor prepare to be captivated by a city where seafaring traditions and cutting-edge museums create an unexpectedly vibrant tapestry of experiences the Maritime Centre Vellamo is a testament to Finland’s rich seafaring history you’re immediately transported through centuries of maritime adventures The Museum of Kymenlaakso brings local history to life while the Maritime Museum of Finland showcases the nation’s nautical prowess But it’s the Coast Guard Museum that truly sets Vellamo apart offering a unique glimpse into the guardians of Finland’s waters “Vellamo isn’t just a museum; it’s a time machine that allows visitors to experience the thrill of life at sea without ever leaving shore,” shares Captain Mika Laaksonen allow visitors to try their hand at navigating treacherous waters making Vellamo an engaging experience for all ages Just a stone’s throw from Kotka’s bustling harbor lies a slice of imperial Russian history once a favorite retreat of Tsar Alexander III stands as a testament to the area’s royal connections this rustic yet elegant wooden structure offers a fascinating glimpse into the leisure pursuits of Russian nobility As you wander through the carefully preserved rooms you can almost hear the laughter of the imperial family echoing off the wooden walls perched above the rushing Langinkoski rapids provides a stunning backdrop that has remained unchanged for over a century “The lodge is a bridge between two worlds – the grandeur of imperial Russia and the simple beauty of Finnish nature,” explains historian Elena Smirnova “It’s a place where history feels tangible.” Don’t miss the chance to try your hand at traditional salmon fishing methods in the same spots once favored by the Tsar himself While Kotka’s maritime heritage is evident above water the Maretarium Aquarium offers a unique perspective on the aquatic life teeming beneath the surface of Finland’s lakes and coastal waters This isn’t your typical aquarium – it’s a celebration of native Finnish fish species many of which are rarely seen by the public including the elusive burbot and the prehistoric-looking sturgeon the Maretarium provides an intimate look at Finland’s underwater ecosystems The aquarium’s commitment to conservation and education makes it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and families alike For those seeking a truly immersive experience the Maretarium offers night tours where visitors can observe the nocturnal behavior of fish – a spectacle that few ever get to witness In the heart of Kotka lies a verdant oasis that has garnered international acclaim is a masterpiece of landscape design that transforms a former industrial area into a lush paradise you’ll encounter cascading waterfalls The garden’s design ingeniously incorporates elements of Finnish nature creating a microcosm of the country’s diverse landscapes From rocky outcrops reminiscent of the Finnish archipelago to lush forest glades Sapokka is a journey through Finland’s natural beauty condensed into a few hectares “Sapokka is living proof that with vision and care even the most unlikely spaces can be transformed into havens of beauty and biodiversity,” says Maria Laine Visit during the midnight sun period to experience the garden bathed in the ethereal light of the Nordic summer nights – a truly magical sight Kotka’s coastal location ensures that seafood takes center stage in its culinary scene But it’s not just about traditional fish dishes – the city’s chefs are reimagining Finnish cuisine with creative flair the three-course surprise menu showcases the best of local produce with dishes like home-smoked trout and roast goose delighting diners you can sample local specialties like lörtsy a savory pastry filled with meat or apples or try the catch of the day straight from the fishmongers’ stalls Don’t miss the chance to indulge in Kotka’s unique twist on the Moomin theme – several cafes offer Moomin-inspired treats that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat While Kotka itself offers plenty to explore the surrounding archipelago beckons with promises of tranquil beauty and outdoor adventures A short boat ride takes you to Kaunissaari an idyllic island that seems frozen in time you can wander through quaint fishing villages and visit a charming mini-museum filled with antique village artifacts For those seeking a more active experience the Kymijoki River offers excellent opportunities for rafting and kayaking The river’s rapids provide thrills for adrenaline junkies while calmer stretches allow for leisurely paddles through stunning scenery If you’re looking for hidden gems beyond Finland, consider exploring some hidden Caribbean beaches that redefine paradise for your next tropical getaway Kotka’s commitment to blending nature with urban life extends beyond its famous water garden showcases an impressive collection of contemporary sculptures set against the backdrop of the sea you’ll encounter thought-provoking artworks that invite contemplation and discussion The city’s streets also serve as a canvas for urban artists Keep an eye out for the striking mural of a fur-hatted figure in Kotkankatu – it’s just one example of the vibrant street art scene that adds splashes of color to Kotka’s urban landscape For those inspired by the blend of nature and art, consider exploring some hidden mountain villages in Corsica that rival Italian gems for a similar mix of culture and scenic beauty No visit to Finland is complete without experiencing the quintessential Finnish tradition of sauna the Santalahti Resort offers a modern take on this ancient practice provides the perfect environment to unwind and embrace the Finnish way of relaxation follow your sauna session with a dip in the chilly Baltic Sea – a invigorating experience that locals swear by for its health benefits you’ll understand why sauna is more than just a pastime in Finland – it’s a way of life Kotka’s charm evolves with the seasons offering unique experiences throughout the year which fills the harbor with tall ships and maritime merriment The long days of the midnight sun create a magical atmosphere perfect for evening strolls along the waterfront The frozen sea creates new landscapes to explore with ice fishing and skiing becoming popular activities filled with local crafts and seasonal treats add a touch of Nordic magic to the festive season For those who love seasonal changes and coastal beauty, you might also enjoy exploring hidden New England lighthouses that will take your breath away offering similar maritime charm in a different part of the world with regular bus connections from Helsinki taking just over two hours offer this service) is an excellent way to explore The city’s compact size and well-maintained cycling paths make it perfect for two-wheeled adventures For those looking to venture further afield local ferries can take you to nearby islands while car rentals are available for exploring the surrounding Kymenlaakso region Consider taking a scenic drive along the coast stopping at charming fishing villages and hidden beaches along the way If you’re inspired to explore more of Finland by road, you might enjoy reading about mind-blowing offbeat road trips that redefine American adventure for ideas on how to plan an epic journey in a different part of the world Kotka may not be the first name that comes to mind when planning a Finnish adventure offers a uniquely authentic Finnish experience From the cutting-edge exhibitions of the Maritime Centre Vellamo to the tranquil beauty of the Sapokka Water Garden Kotka is a destination that rewards those who venture off the beaten path watching the sun set over the Gulf of Finland you’ll feel the pulse of a city that has reinvented itself while staying true to its roots Kotka is more than just a stop on a Finnish itinerary – it’s a destination that captures the essence of Finland’s past and prepare to be captivated by Kotka’s hidden treasures You might just find yourself planning your return trip before you’ve even left HELSINKI FINLAND The foundation stone has been laid for a new battery materials plant in Kotka’s Keltakallio industrial area marking the start of a major project expected to create around 300 direct jobs attended by some 150 guests including China’s Ambassador to Finland Tongqing Wang and Finland’s Minister for Economic Affairs Wille Rydman celebrated the launch of the Chinese-Finnish joint venture Easpring Finland New Materials' plant The primary contractor for the project is China Harbour Engineering Company is responsible for sourcing leadership personnel and influencing subcontractor selection said that construction-related subcontractors are expected to be largely Finnish with Tuusula-based company Kreate handling initial earthworks the construction phase could employ up to 800 people Schemeikka noted strong interest from local firms even though official tenders have not yet opened Local development company Cursor has compiled a comprehensive list of businesses interested in joining the project it includes a wide range of companies from different sectors will involve several new buildings and an estimated investment of €800 million The facility will produce cathode active materials for European battery cell factories the factory will directly employ about 270 people Advertisement inquiries and other after-sales issues: info@helsinkitimes.fi Helsinki Times is the first and only English language newspaper providing news about Finland in English A weekly print edition of Helsinki Times was published from March 2007 up until Feb Helsinki Times is an online-only publication and other groups and individuals interested in Finland from all around the world © Helsinki Times All rights reserved.  Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Nordic News and Business Promotion in Asia Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology have announced the start of construction of a cathode active material (CAM) plant in Kotka The announcement was made on Wednesday 20 March 2025 marking a major step in the development of Finland’s battery value chain with an initial capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year Future expansion is also part of the long-term plan The project is being developed by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy Finnish Minerals Group owns 30% of the company The total investment is estimated at around EUR 800 million In addition to funding from the two owners the project will pursue external loans and clean transition aid for industrial investments The Finnish State will also support the initiative by capitalising Finnish Minerals Group with EUR 100 million we are creating an entirely new kind of industry in Finland related to the production of lithium-ion batteries,” says Matti Hietanen the plant is a spearhead project for the industry and an important step forward for the Finnish battery value chain and battery business.” a global leader in CAM development and production sees the Kotka project as a key strategic move into the European market “Through this strategic investment in Kotka we establish a European base from where we will be able to serve the needs of European customers,” says GUAN Zhibo CEO of Beijing Easpring Material Technology “Our joint investment with Finnish Minerals Group also contributes to the Finnish Government’s strategy to build a battery value chain in Finland.” The CAM plant will be located in the Keltakallio industrial area in Kotka with 27.8 hectares leased for the first phase The plant’s environmental permit was approved under the green transition priority procedure and became legally binding in December 2024 “The Kotka CAM plant will be a state-of-the-art facility with a high level of automation and proven technology,” says Timo Strengell SVP of Battery Value Chain at Finnish Minerals Group “The design also ensures flexibility to adapt to future market demands and technological developments.” the plant is expected to directly employ around 270 people with additional employment generated during the construction phase and through indirect effects and commercial production is scheduled to start in 2027 Source: Pressrelease Editor-in-Chief • ScandAsia Publishing Co. and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Easpring Finland New Materials Oy is aiming to start the plant construction work in the Keltakallio industrial area in Kotka in April 2025 The plant received a legally binding environmental permit in December 2024 and was granted the construction permit for the first buildings in February 2025 The company’s goal is to launch commercial production in 2027 The plant’s first-stage capacity is planned to be 60,000 tonnes of cathode active material (CAM) per year and the company has the possibility to expand the capacity significantly to meet future demand growth the plant is expected to directly employ approximately 270 people the project will create direct and indirect labour demand already in the construction phase around 800 people are expected to be working on the site The plant investment of approximately EUR 800 million is carried out by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy of which Beijing Easpring Material Technology owns 70% and Finnish Minerals Group owns 30% Easpring Finland New Materials Oy has applied for financing for the plant construction through the clean transition aid scheme for industrial investments “We have been planning this investment together with our partner Finnish Minerals Group for several years and have also received strong support from our local partners This investment marks a major milestone for Easpring as we now establish localized production in Europe to serve the local market from Kotka,” says Jashon Guan Cathode active material is a key component of lithium-ion batteries The future CAM production in Kotka will be delivered primarily to European battery cell manufacturers supplying battery solutions for electric vehicles (EV) When the Kotka CAM plant reaches full production volume it will supply cathode material for the production of approximately 750.000 EVs annually “We are excited to commence the construction of the first cathode active material plant in Finland Building on the proven technologies of our parent company Beijing Easpring our Kotka plant will supply sustainably produced state-of-the-art cathode materials to European battery cell clients,” says Vesa Koivisto Chief Commercial Officer of Easpring Finland Search Companies editorial@fibre2fashion.com 20.3.2025 | Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology have decided to start the construction of the CAM plant Finland will produce cathode active material which is needed to produce lithium-ion batteries The plant’s first-stage capacity will be 60,000 tonnes of cathode active material per year The plans also include the possibility of expanding production in the future The investment project is carried out by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy of which Finnish Minerals Group owns 30% and Beijing Easpring Material Technology owns 70% The value of the investment project is approximately EUR 800 million In addition to the funding from the owners the project will seek financing through external loans and the clean transition aid scheme for industrial investments the Finnish State will capitalise Finnish Minerals Group with EUR 100 million is one of the world’s leading companies developing and producing cathode active material and we have been cooperating with them for several years we are creating an entirely new kind of industry in Finland related to the production of lithium-ion batteries,” says Matti Hietanen the plant is a spearhead project for the industry and an important step forward for the Finnish battery value chain and battery business.” ”Through this strategic investment in Kotka we establish a European base from where we will be able to serve the needs of European customers Our joint investment with Finnish Minerals Group also contributes to Finnish Government’s strategy to build a battery value chain in Finland we have received good support from the City of Kotka regional development company Cursor and many other partners and we are happy to now reach the milestone of starting the plant construction,” says GUAN Zhibo The permit authorities processed the plant’s environmental permit under the green transition priority procedure and it became legally binding in December 2024 Approximately 80 hectares have been reserved for the project in the Keltakallio industrial area in Kotka and a lease for the 27.8 hectares needed for the first phase was signed in January 2025 “The Kotka CAM plant will be a state-of-the-art facility with a production process based on a high level of automation and proven technology The basic design of the plant also provides for a situation where the market demands and technologies continue to develop and ensures that we can respond to these developments,” says Timo Strengell the plant would directly employ approximately 270 people it will create demand for labour already during construction The construction will start in the spring of 2025 and the goal is to launch commercial production in 2027 Top of the page     Privacy Policy     Sitemap The Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology have decided to start construction of the CAM plant will produce active cathode material (CAM) The capacity of the new factory is planned to be 60,000 tonnes of active cathode material per year in the first stage of expansion when it will directly employ approximately 270 people The plans also entail the possibility of expanding production in the future The plant’s construction will start in the spring of 2025 the Finnish Minerals Group writes that Easpring Finland New Materials Oy The company is 30 per cent owned by the Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology owns 70% Construction of the factory is estimated to cost about 800 million euros the Finnish state will invest an additional 100 million euros in the Finnish Minerals Group Finnish permit authorities processed the plant’s environmental permit under the green transition priority procedure CAM material production is in high demand everywhere, however, China is leading the charge in production capacities. With Northvolts bankruptcy filing earlier this month in Sweden mineralsgroup.fi I agree with the Privacy policy electrive has been following the development of electric mobility with journalistic passion and expertise since 2013 we offer comprehensive coverage of the highest quality — as a central platform for the rapid development of this technology Lithium Carbonate Market Analysis: Industry Market Size Copyright © ChemAnalyst - 2020 | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy New manufacturing plant will be located at IFF Biorefinery in Kotka Finland to leverage available synergies and infrastructure as well as European biobased raw materials The facility will convert up to 44,000 MT of plant sugars to bioproducts high-performance biopolymers for use in various applications and will be a platform material for further processing to make new renewable products The plant is designed to produce multiple grades of DEB biomaterial to accommodate various market applications Approximately 30 direct new jobs are expected to be created in the Kotka region with additional job creation during the project’s construction phase – a significant positive development for the Kotka region economy we’ve been collaborating with IFF using the DEB platform technology which has allowed us to bring sustainable innovation to our key markets,” said Antti Salminen “The new joint venture will build on this initial success enabling us to scale up production and provide new performance-competitive alternatives to fossil-based products in key markets while continuing to develop opportunities across other growth markets.” "Our partnership with Kemira has reached a significant milestone enabling us to scale the production of breakthrough biobased materials to meet the large and growing demand for high-performing and sustainable alternatives to fossil-derived polymers," said Erik Fyrwald "IFF’s DEB technology not only guarantees superior purity and consistency compared to traditional biopolymers but also enhances performance across various applications This innovative approach allows us to combine biodegradability and material sustainability while maintaining cost efficiency and the high performance our customers expect." mikko.pohjala@kemira.com 27.1.2025 | Kotka is preparing to offer top tennis fans a tennis-filled May as two ITF World Tennis Tour professional tournaments will be played in the city The events will be organised by Smash-Kotka after a break of more than 10 years The Soluni Ladies Tennis Open will be played from 12-18 May and immediately afterwards the following week the men’s professional players will take to the courts for the Kotka Open tournament The prize money for both tournaments is $15 000 the number of professional competitions has increased in recent years there will be three women’s and 2-3 men’s $15 000 ITF tournaments in Finland plus one higher level women’s $30 000 ITF tournament The lower level professional competitions will serve as a springboard to the international scene and provide opportunities for top domestic players They also bring the sport closer to the consumer The organisation of two professional competitions in the city is made possible by partners The City of Kotka is strongly involved in supporting the events as the main partner is delighted about the international competitions in Kotka “We originally talked about the possibility of having one professional tournament in Kotka and it is great that there are now two tournaments Thanks to our successful players such as Harri Heliövaara tennis is taking off in Finland and it’s great that we will also be able to play our part in this success story in Kotka,” Makkonen says Soluni Oy (formerly Arctic Nutrition) focuses on health and well-being: when our cells are well That’s why Soluni offers supplements and energy drinks containing hundreds of natural nutrients Construction of Finland’s first cathode active material (CAM) plant will begin in April 2025 in Kotka developed by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy will supply materials for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage The project is a joint investment between Beijing Easpring Material Technology The total investment is valued at approximately €800 million The Finnish government will support the project by capitalising Finnish Minerals Group with €100 million The plant’s first-stage production capacity is set at 60,000 tonnes of cathode active material per year it could supply battery materials for around 750,000 electric vehicles annually it is expected to provide around 270 permanent jobs Easpring Finland CEO Jashon Guan highlighted the significance of the project for European battery production "This investment marks a major milestone for Easpring as we establish localised production in Europe to serve the local market from Kotka," he said Finnish Minerals Group CEO Matti Hietanen described the plant as a key development for Finland’s battery value chain this is a spearhead project for the industry," he said The plant received its environmental permit in December 2024 under a priority procedure for green transition projects a lease agreement was signed for 27.8 hectares of land in the Keltakallio industrial area The goal is to start commercial production in 2027 © Helsinki Times All rights reserved.  Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Finnish Minerals Group – Project Company Submitted An EIA Report To The Authority Concerning A Battery Cell Production Plant a project company of Finnish Minerals Group has submitted an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) report concerning a battery cell production plant to the Centre for Economic Development Transport and the Environment for Southeast Finland (ELY Centre) The plant is planned to be established in an approximately 140-hectare area in the Keltakallio industrial area in Kotka. The location is next to the cathode active material (CAM) plant that is already planned in the same area The cell production plant would be a natural continuation to Finnish Minerals Groups battery value chain projects. In a cell plant electrolyte and separator are used to manufacture battery cells which in turn are assembled to create battery systems The EIA report examines an implementation option with an annual production capacity of 60 GWh a 0 option where the project is not implemented The planned capacity would meet the needs of more than one million fully electric cars annually The EIA report examines the environmental impacts of the cell production plant and the feasibility of the project from an environmental standpoint The EIA report also includes information about the project and the implementation of the environmental impact assessment procedure; a description of the current state of the environment and the environmental impacts of the project their mitigation and monitoring; and a comparison of the implementation alternatives Public event concerning the EIA report will be held in Kotka on October 30th at 6-8 pm in Datariina premises (conference room Optio on the first floor) The event will include presentations covering both the project and the EIA report The audience will have a chance to share their views on the environmental impact assessment work and discuss the project with representatives from Finnish Battery Chemicals the coordinating authority and experts from the consultancy firm who prepared the report The coordinating authority will collect written opinions on the EIA report and request necessary statements the authority will issue a reasoned conclusion on the report to Finnish Battery Chemicals The Southeast Finland ELY Centre will publish the EIA report at www.ymparisto.fi/osallistu-ja-vaikuta as soon as possible READ the latest Batteries News shaping the battery market Finnish Minerals Group – Project Company Submitted An EIA Report To The Authority Concerning A Battery Cell Production Plant, source Plasmatreat – Plasma makes the difference in the production of high-performance batteries STEINHAGEN 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Plasmatreat’s Openair-Plasma is used to specifically clean.. Beyonder and Leclanché sign MoU to explore the possibility for cooperation on large-scale cell production in Germany Beyonder AS a leading battery technology company in Norway and Leclanché SA Lead Intelligent Equipment Signs Major Contract with FAAM to Deliver Advanced End-of-Line Lithium Battery Production Solution for 8 GWh Facility in Italy Lead Intelligent Equipment is proud to announce the signing of a.. COPYRIGHT POLICY DISCLAIMER TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY We love meeting interesting people and making new friends or around four out of five people in Kotka The result is based on a comprehensive safety survey conducted in Kotka in early autumn which collected residents’ experiences of safety in their own neighbourhood The survey provided information on issues affecting the feeling of safety disorder and threats from extreme weather events as well as on measures and solutions needed to improve safety The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions plus eight questions on the background of the respondents “We can be satisfied with the number of respondents We received responses from all neighbourhoods and all age groups,” says Hanna Hannula The survey showed that almost every neighbourhood had people who were very satisfied with their neighbourhood increased by street lights being switched off at night 69% of respondents identify at least one place or area in the Kotka area that they feel is very unsafe the most prominent areas are market areas and certain parks in the city centre as well as some residential areas and shopping centres,” says Hannula “The responses also highlight respondents’ concerns about social inequality accidents at home are of relatively little concern,” says Hannula The solutions to the feeling of insecurity offered by respondents include increased public order control by the police more lighting and better control of underage drug use Almost 80% of respondents were somewhat concerned about the increase in extreme weather events in Kotka caused by global warming – long and hotter heat waves were the main concern The results of the survey will be used to assess the safety situation in the Kotka area and will feed into the development of the city’s safety plan The idea of drawing up a safety plan for Kotka as part of the next council’s well-being plan came from a council initiative It is also part of the implementation of the Council of State’s decision in principle on well-being “The aim of the plan is to identify measures that can improve the safety and sense of security of the residents,” says Hanna Hannula The plant will produce cathode-active material (CAM) used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries Demand for batteries is growing rapidly with the electrification of transport and the need for renewable energy storage The Kotka plant will have a production capacity of 60 000 tonnes of nickel-manganese-cobalt-based cathode material per year which will meet the needs of around 500 000-800 000 electric cars This project will make Kotka the first NMC-based cathode-active material production site in Finland and an important hub for battery production in Europe The employment impact of the Kotka CAM plant will be around 270 man-years commissioned by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy the plant will generate around €180 million in new tax revenues per year “The Kotka-Hamina region is an ideal environment for sustainable industry This positive authorisation decision will strengthen the attractiveness of the region and create a basis for new investments that will support Europe’s efforts to become more self-sufficient in battery materials and electrification The City of Kotka has been preparing the Keltakallio site for Easpring Finland and this is a major step towards the realisation of the final investment Kotka needs new industry in addition to existing businesses and with it jobs and vitality,” said Esa Sirviö “This step further strengthens the role of the Kotka-Hamina region in achieving the objectives of Finland’s battery strategy and shows that the region is capable of bringing added value to Finland it gives us confidence that as part of the restructuring process we will be able to bring new clean transition industries to replace the closed industries and thereby strengthen the vitality of the region Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this and to the authorities for the speedy processing,” said David Lindström The Regional Administrative Authority handled the environmental permit application under the priority procedure for the green shift The plant is scheduled to start operations in 2026 19.3.2025 | Kotka’s decision-makers highlight the collaborative decision-making atmosphere as a key success of the past council term This is evident from a recent survey conducted among members of Kotka City Council and various committees and subcommittees regarding the 2021–2025 council term The survey was sent to approximately 100 decision-makers 85 percent were either very satisfied (11.7%) or satisfied (73.3%) with the overall experience of the council term The responses strongly emphasized a positive atmosphere and especially the cooperation between council members Several comments noted that “it was the issues that clashed not the people” and that “it was always nice to attend council meetings the successful work of the City Council and City Board chairs received praise as did collaboration between officials and decision-makers and the development of citizen participation When asked about perceived failures during the council term the most common response was that “no failures come to mind.” some individual responses called for improvements in managing large investment projects and ensuring decision-makers receive sufficient information—suggesting There was also criticism regarding excessive time pressure in decision-making as well as concerns over the limited number of issues discussed at council meetings and reflections on the role of the Vitality Committee Regarding the performance of the chairperson in their respective body 81.6 percent of respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied 80 percent of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with cooperation among decision-makers while 88.3 percent expressed the same level of satisfaction with collaboration between decision-makers and city officials Respondents were also fairly satisfied with the cooperation between decision-makers and citizens with 65 percent indicating they were either very satisfied or satisfied open responses in the survey particularly highlighted the need for increased dialogue between decision-makers and residents Kotka’s decision-makers are generally satisfied with the quality of preparatory work across different governing bodies such as providing more advance information on major upcoming decisions to allow sufficient time for review there were requests for summaries of lengthy reports and clearer assessments of different decision options to better inform decision-makers Kotka is one of the first cities in Finland to introduce smart lighting based on sensor technology the world’s leading lighting specialist The Interact system developed by the company is used to illuminate the Kantasatama area which includes the Vellamo Marine Centre and the Satama Areena event centre The area is also the site of the recently completed campus of the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences XAMK “As there is no residential area in the Kantasatama area we will save energy by not having the lights on unnecessarily when there are no visitors in the area the lights will automatically brighten up when the system’s sensors detect movement This brings safety to people moving around the area,” says Ilpo Rinne an electrical engineer in the City of Kotka’s Technical Services Department 137 luminaires are connected to the intelligent lighting control system The street lighting network is also equipped with camera technology to monitor parking “The cameras are not really used to monitor parking but only to monitor the occupancy rate of the parking spaces,” explains Rinne The new system facilitates the maintenance work of the city’s technical services as the status of the lights can be monitored and managed in real time online via an application The system automatically sends alerts in case of any malfunctions “Smart lighting based on sensor technology is now being widely adopted around the world and the City of Kotka is among the pioneers One of the reasons for this is the desire to reduce urban light pollution it will be possible to add other sensors to the system for example to monitor air quality or noise levels,” says Liisa Teppo The Interact system enables the integration of the data collected by the sensors and the use of the information to support urban planning we want to boldly experiment with new ways to reduce our carbon footprint similar smart lighting solutions can also be used in residential areas,” says Rinne 25.3.2025 | The City of Kotka’s financial result for last year showed a surplus of just over €0.6 million which also includes the city’s subsidiaries the cumulative surplus in the parent city’s balance sheet stood at €44.7 million while the entire city group had a balance sheet surplus of €117.6 million When the city’s 2024 budget was initially approved the result was expected to show a deficit of approximately €13.4 million Kotka’s Mayor Esa Sirviö and Chief Financial Officer Pietu Mänttäri are naturally pleased one of the key reasons for this positive turnaround was a significant increase in tax revenues compared to the budget.“Tax revenue accumulation exceeded expectations surpassing the budget by about €4 million,” says Mänttäri Mänttäri considers the result a broad success crediting all the city’s responsibility areas.“The city’s operating expenses were significantly lower than budgeted and budget management is now on a solid track a few one-time operating revenues contributed to the surplus,” Mänttäri notes Mänttäri also highlights financing costs as a negative aspect of the financial statement mentioning a negative adjustment entry and increased investment pressures Mayor Sirviö also praises all the city’s responsibility areas for their sound financial management “We have pursued a determined yet responsible approach to balancing the economy in recent years Finding a financially stable position has been challenging mainly due to external factors beyond the city’s control we have successfully addressed these challenges together,” Sirviö states responsibility areas and operational units have demonstrated exceptional financial responsibility and sound judgment in this current climate both in terms of decision-makers and employees I dare to say that shared vision and understanding in uncertain situations are rare assets in today’s municipal sector I cannot be anything but proud of our entire team,” Sirviö commends Sirviö emphasizes the importance of the city accumulating a €44.7 million surplus in the parent city’s balance sheet.“This is a good buffer for the future as we recognize the city’s investment pressures and its future earnings potential The surplus in the balance sheet gives us time to take necessary actions without having to resort to hasty The operating margin for the last fiscal year on the city side alone was €18.1 million Depreciation and impairments amounted to approximately €17.7 million meaning the operating margin covered about 102.5% of depreciation This allows us to state that last year was balanced it is also important to keep in mind the upcoming investment pressures,” the mayor notes “Although the Kotka city group consists of various entities affected differently by global conditions we can interpret the financial figures and results of the group entities as indicating that financial management and operations have largely proceeded as planned The group management can and should be very satisfied with the operations of the entities,” says Sirviö 27.1.2025 | Parents of children in day-care centres in Kotka are very satisfied with the early childhood education offered by the city This is the result of a recent customer survey conducted last November among child carers A total of 401 carers responded to the survey which assessed early childhood education services and activities in 2024 The average response rate for the survey as a whole was 4.50/5 which is in line with customer surveys conducted in recent years (autumn 2023 AVG4.45/5) The overall rating of the quality of the early childhood education and care centre given by parents is 4.6 (AVG 4.5 in 2023) The early childhood education and care customer survey consists of the early childhood education service guidance questionnaire the child involvement questionnaire and the group membership questionnaire The questionnaire is also aimed at pre-school family day care and private early childhood education The implementation of the statements is assessed by carers on the basis of their own experience The results of the questionnaire are used to identify the strengths and areas for improvement of early childhood education and care services and activities The early childhood education customer survey is based on a set of indicators based on quality criteria for early childhood education The survey also includes a statement on equal treatment of families in early childhood education and care Respondents were also given the opportunity to comment and suggest improvements on issues they would like to raise The survey revealed that the city’s strengths in early childhood education include equal treatment of families Carers feel that the staff are professional and that this is reflected in their work the strengths are that adults provide opportunities for children to move and that physical activity is visible in the daily life of the units The carers feel that the child is genuinely encountered and is close to an adult The strength of ‘child as part of a group’ is that the child feels safe in the early childhood education and care setting Early childhood education and care supports the child’s positive self-image Areas for development based on the survey include: investing in arrival and departure situations raising the awareness of substitutes of the importance of meeting the child and caregivers establishing a harmonised initial interview practice following the child’s child notification guidelines following the child’s agreed upon story telling in the child’s child notification documenting the construction of the child’s play environment systematically strengthening the role of children through adult activity in the construction of the play environment The areas for improvement identified in the survey are discussed by unit or activity in parent-teacher conferences in the context of drawing up child early childhood education plans in staff meetings and at unit development days The customer survey is used alongside other ECEC evaluation tools in the development of ECEC and in strengthening staff competences 1.10.2024 | The City Board of Kotka has decided to propose to the City Council that Esa Sirviö His current seven-year term of office as Mayor of Kotka expires on 30 April The Selection Panel considers in its presentation to the City Council that the process of filling the post of Mayor can proceed and that there is no need to interview Sirviö for the post of Mayor the selection team unanimously proposed to the City Council that Esa Sirviö be elected Mayor of the City of Kotka as of 1 May 2025 A total of four people applied for the post of Mayor of Kotka of whom only Sirviö met the eligibility requirements the eligibility criteria of a higher university degree and good practical knowledge of municipal administration were not met One candidate met the eligibility requirement of a higher university degree but did not meet the second part of the eligibility requirement namely good practical knowledge of local government The Mayor will be elected by the City Council in October/November The City Council also decided that the City of Kotka will not apply to be a stage port for the Tall Ships Races event in the Baltic Sea in the summer of 2028 the city’s financial forecast for the coming years does not allow for the organisation of a large-scale and financially heavy event in Kotka the umbrella organisation for the Tall Ships’ Races has sent a questionnaire to the event’s previous host ports asking port cities to apply to become a stage port for the 2028 Tall Ships’ Races Kotka has previously served as the official stage port for the event in 1992 80 vessels and around 2,300 crew members participated in the event which was held in conjunction with the Maritime Days Finnish Minerals Group said an environmental permit granted by the Regional State Administrative Agency for the cathode active material plant planned for Kotka became legally binding on 5 December The company said no appeals were received against the permit decision and this enables the project to progress to the next phase said the CAM plant is planned for the Keltakallio industrial area of Kotka the plant will produce CAM for the electrification of transport and energy storage Finnish Minerals Group owns 30% percent of Easpring Finland and has been involved in planning the project for several years The project is valued at approximately €770 million ($808 million) The group manages the Finnish state’s mining industry shareholdings and aims to develop the Finnish value chain of lithium-ion batteries All the latest on Batteries & Energy Storage Technology a major investor in the Turkish renewable energy sector has signed an agreement for British engineering company Rolls-Royce to supply a 132MWh LFP battery energy storage system (BESS).. Find a wealth of information on the energy storage and battery industries with BEST Magazine From all the latest news to in-depth technical articles we have everything you need in print and online All the latest news and articles on Batteries & Energy Storage Technology Copyright 2025 © Energy Storage Publishing Ltd events related to the week will take place throughout the entire week The purpose of Anti-Racism Week is to promote equality and highlight the responsibility of individuals to act correctly in racist situations The theme week coincides with the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Events in Kotka during the week include the Worlds’ Fair at Langinkoski Church on Sunday Vellamo Open Mic at Maritime Centre Vellamo on Wednesday the “Ball for Everyone” futsal event at Käpylä School on Saturday as well as various exhibitions and international food tastings the film Kivinen tie (A Rocky Road) will be screened It tells the story of an aging Afro-Finnish woman searching for her place between two cultures At the Multicultural Activity Center Mylly Juha Vasku’s exhibition ORISA – From Africa to Bahia and from Bahia to Finland will be on display At Mylly’s location in Pasaati Shopping Center visitors can admire colorful national costumes from different countries the Red Cross Skills House will feature a doll exhibition in its window display international cuisine will also be featured Korttelikoti community homes will serve Indian stew and Russian quark pancakes food tastings from Burma and Africa will be available on Thursday Café Myllytär will serve baklava on Friday The week’s theme will also be present in youth centers Organizers and PartnersThe organizers of Anti-Racism Week in Kotka include Kotka-Kymi Parish the “Kotona täälläkin” (At Home Here Too) initiative Catalan News > Travel Nestled on Finland’s southeastern coast Kotka is a hidden gem that beckons travelers with its rich maritime history and breathtaking natural beauty often overlooked by tourists flocking to Helsinki offers a unique blend of cultural experiences and outdoor adventures that will captivate even the most seasoned globetrotter Kotka’s identity is inextricably linked to the sea a fact beautifully showcased at the Maritime Museum of Finland Housed in the striking Maritime Centre Vellamo this architectural masterpiece is a testament to the city’s nautical heritage you’ll find yourself transported through time experiencing the evolution of Finnish seafaring firsthand “The Maritime Museum is not just a collection of artifacts; it’s a living breathing tribute to our city’s soul,” says local historian Matti Järvinen “Every display tells a story of courage and the enduring bond between Kotka and the sea.” For those seeking a taste of authentic Finnish island life Kotka serves as the perfect launching point for unforgettable archipelago adventures A short boat ride will whisk you away to Kaunissaari a picturesque island that seems frozen in time you can wander through a traditional fishing village and bask in the tranquility of unspoiled nature If you’re craving more off-the-beaten-path experiences, consider exploring secret islands that offer a slice of paradise away from the crowds Step back in time as you explore Katariinan Meripuisto a sprawling park that houses the enigmatic ruins of Fort Katarina once part of the Maritime Fortress of Ruotsinsalmi now stands as a hauntingly beautiful reminder of Kotka’s strategic importance throughout history Kotka’s culinary scene is a delightful fusion of traditional Finnish fare and innovative seafood creations Local restaurants pride themselves on serving the freshest catch of the day often sourced from the very waters visible from your dining table “Our cuisine tells the story of Kotka through flavors,” explains renowned local chef Liisa Mäkinen “From our world-famous salmon pastries to lesser-known delicacies like smoked vendace every dish is a celebration of our maritime heritage.” and you might find yourself swept up in the excitement of Kotkan Meripäivät This celebration of all things nautical transforms the city into a whirlwind of music For those with a penchant for harder sounds the Dark River Festival in August offers a unique juxtaposition of heavy metal against Kotka’s serene backdrop Just a short drive from the city center lies Valkmusa National Park a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers Its vast open bogs and diverse ecosystems provide a stark contrast to Kotka’s maritime landscapes offering visitors a chance to experience Finland’s wild side If you’re passionate about wildlife, consider exploring hidden wildlife reserves in other parts of the world where you might encounter rare and even extinct animals roaming free Kotka is at the forefront of Finland’s sustainable tourism movement actively working to reduce its carbon footprint while preserving its rich cultural heritage Visitors can participate in eco-friendly activities and support local initiatives that aim to protect the region’s natural beauty for generations to come Whether you prefer the charm of a local bed and breakfast or the amenities of a modern hotel Kotka offers a range of accommodations to suit every taste and budget consider staying in a traditional Finnish cottage where you can wake up to breathtaking views of the archipelago Kotka may not be on every traveler’s radar but those who venture to this coastal gem will be rewarded with unforgettable experiences From its rich maritime history to its stunning natural beauty Kotka offers a glimpse into the heart of Finland that will leave you longing to return As you plan your journey to Kotka, remember that sometimes the most extraordinary adventures lie in unexpected places. Whether you’re exploring jaw-dropping caves in Vietnam or discovering secret waterfalls in Costa Rica the world is full of hidden wonders waiting to be uncovered Kotka stands as a testament to the beauty of Finland’s lesser-known destinations inviting travelers to step off the beaten path and discover a world where maritime heritage and prepare for an adventure that will redefine your understanding of Nordic charm Stora Enso has signed an agreement to divest its real estate of the Sunila site in Kotka privately-owned property development company focusing on high-quality architecture and urban planning Stora Enso will remain in Sunila as a tenant to AALTO Development The Lignode battery material pilot plant will continue its operations in Sunila the Sunila-based demonstration plant engineering study The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction price The closing of the transaction is expected during Q4 2024 “We’re pleased to have found AALTO Development as a committed new owner for Sunila with a strong vision for developing the site further and a deep appreciation for the unique architectural heritage of Alvar Aalto’s design it is essential for us to have a reliable partner at Sunila as we continue our Lignode pilot plant operations,” says Tuomas Hallenberg Stora Enso’s Finland Country Manager and Executive Vice President of Forest Division   Pulp and lignin production at Stora Enso’s Sunila Mill was discontinued in 2023 Stora Enso’s priority for Sunila has been to find an owner that can bring new profitable business operations and jobs to the site that has a well-working infrastructure and favorable location AALTO Development aims to transform Sunila into a hub for sustainable energy transformation technology including sizable investments into a hydrogen-based solution by Gen-H Oy   Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable products in packaging and one of the largest private forest owners in the world Republication of Lesprom Network content is prohibited without the prior written consent of Lesprom Network General Terms and Conditions and Privacy policy 15.4.2025 | The planning of the business center envisioned for Kotka’s Kantasatama is progressing The City Board has decided to participate in funding the business center planned for the building at Laivurinkatu 10 with an amount just under €33,000 The planning work is commissioned by Kotkan Julkiset Kiinteistöt Oy (JuKi) which has conducted a tender process for architectural and HVAC engineering design and selected Arkkitehdit Tommila Oy and Insinööristudio Oy as contractors The total cost of these services is €98,500 The design costs will be divided into three parts between JuKi the final renovation needs and total costs of the property will be clarified Only then can conclusions be drawn about whether it is appropriate to locate the business center at Laivurinkatu 10.If the project is deemed feasible the property will be transferred from the city’s direct ownership to the management of JuKi The Kantasatama Business Center is defined in the city strategy as a key development project In the “Home Port for Businesses” project implemented by Cursor Oy a concept for the business center’s operations was created The content-based operations of the business center are currently being initiated within the ongoing Eagle Accelerator project a solution for business center premises in Kantasatama has been pursued The business center is planned to include rentable office spaces A few larger operators have expressed interest in long-term rental which would support the project’s financial viability for JuKi The property is a three-story brick building with a protected façade currently used as storage and office space Converting the building into a business center will require a major renovation including repairs to the yard deck and foundation structures and a complete overhaul of interior spaces and technical systems The City Board has decided to send an inquiry to Kouvola’s City Board regarding the funding of Kymi Sinfonietta The shareholder agreement jointly approved by the cities of Kotka and Kouvola in winter 2021 includes provisions on the minimum funding level for the orchestra company until 2025 The agreement obliges the shareholders to negotiate the company’s funding for the coming years no later than spring 2025 The basis for these negotiations is to ensure the stable continuation of the orchestra’s operations Kouvola’s Sports and Culture Committee decided on the funding level for the Kymenlaakso Orchestra for 2026–2027 The decision was to set the annual funding at €480,000 for those years and to continue negotiations with the City of Kotka ensuring that the funding agreement adheres to the aforementioned principles aiming to maintain stable long-term funding for the company to maintain funding for the Uuno Klami Composition Competition Kouvola’s decision means that the city’s annual contribution to Kymenlaakso Orkesteri Oy will decrease from €580,000 to €480,000 for 2026–2027 The orchestra’s operations and funding are affected not only by the contributions of the owners but also by reductions in state subsidies the first of which will already impact 2025 it must also be noted that reducing orchestra activities on Kouvola’s side would jeopardize the orchestra’s extra state subsidy which is designated for promoting regional activities the orchestra has started planning the necessary adaptation measures Kouvola’s significant reduction in grant levels requires additional measures the scope of which will also depend on what decisions the City of Kotka makes in response to the decision by Kouvola’s Sports and Culture Committee The City Board will approach Kouvola’s City Board with a letter in order to gather responses that will help the city of Kotka form its own position and make decisions on the matter 17.2.2025 | The City Council has approved Kotka’s new urban strategy the word ‘quality’ was added to the heading ‘We ensure a functional safe and quality everyday life for all ages’ by 12 to 29 votes (9 abstentions) the City Council’s proposal was adopted as it stood the city strategy must be reviewed once during the council term so future city councils will have the opportunity to influence the content of the strategy before 2035 The City Strategy 2035 approved by the City Council is attached City Strategy 2035, available only in finnish. In relation to the total cost of the project a difference of 8 interest rate points means at least EUR 28 000/year in favour of traditional loan financing and balance sheet investment which will change with the financial amortisation scheme The typical lease term for a real estate leasing model is 20 years at 33% residual value while for a balance sheet investment the depreciation period for a stone-built school centre is 40 years The differences between balance sheet investment and real estate leasing and the profitability of implementation have been studied in more detail in a financial comparison by Inspira Oy for the Katariina swimming pool in 03/2024 The results of this study can be used for the Karhula school centre and support the implementation of the project as a balance sheet investment the maintenance and servicing costs of the facility are the responsibility of the user in the same way as in a balance sheet investment the potential interest rate advantage of ‘green financing’ is not linked to whether the project is financed by a lease or a loan There are no obvious advantages to be gained from the use of leasing financing and the change in the form of financing has no impact on the project timetable or on the tenders The opening day of the festival on Wednesday 16 October will see two spectacular shows when the fire duo Tuluxxia will amaze at 19:00 and 20:30 in Kantasatama there will also be a programme at Kotka City Theatre where you can go shopping at the costume flea market and take a break from poetry you can relax with a sound bath at the OmaSp branch or visit the open doors of St Nicholas Church the Vellamo canopy will be taken over by RAErave where the world of underground rave meets dance art in an experimental and interdisciplinary performance the LED flow performance will delight at 20:00 and the light juggler and light figure from the circus school Rainbow will be seen on the art trail the Kotka Market Square will also host the most positive person in Kotka award the traditional light characters of the dance group MOVE will also be on the route of works the programme includes the enchanting “Story of the Sea” ring trapeze show in Kantasatama at 19:00 At 20:00 there will be fire art on the steps of the old hospital and at 21:00 on the Tori stage in the Market Square a performing arts ensemble including acrobatics and contemporary dance the entertainment on the route will continue with light performers from the Rainbow Circus School The Kotka Market Square food market with its various stalls will be open throughout the event The full programme with more information at aaltojafestivaali.fi Changes to the programme are possible 20.3.2025 | The city’s mechanical removal of winter grit will begin today in the market square areas of Kotka and Karhula The grit will first be removed from downtown areas and pedestrian and cycling paths after which work will continue on residential streets The grit removal process is expected to take approximately six weeks though possible night frosts may cause delays temporary parking restrictions may be necessary in central areas Residents are asked to take this temporary inconvenience into account the city will spray cleaned areas with a diluted salt solution Residents can also help minimize dust by removing grit from roads and pedestrian pathways themselves Finnish and Chinese companies broke ground on Tuesday on Finland's first lithium-ion battery cathode active material (CAM) plant a project aimed at boosting Europe's battery supply chain located in the southeastern coastal city of Kotka will be operated by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy a joint venture between Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. the plant is expected to manufacture CAMs essential for lithium-ion batteries for European and global battery manufacturers It is designed for an annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes - enough to supply cathodes for 500,000 to 800,000 electric vehicles according to Easpring Finland New Materials Oy The project involves an investment of around 800 million euros and is anticipated to create around 270 jobs in the initial production phase said the project is projected to generate more than 180 million euros in annual tax revenue and contribute nearly 400 million euros to Finland's GDP Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman emphasized the importance of the project's shift toward clean energy He said that this facility will play a vital role in advancing sustainable energy as the production of CAM is essential to the development of green solutions chairman of Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. called the project a "milestone" in expanding battery material production in Europe said the plant would strengthen Finland's battery value chain support Europe's electrification goals representatives buried a cement bucket as a time capsule at the construction site of the plant and copies of speeches - a symbolic gesture to mark the project's long-term significance E-mails : [email protected]                [email protected] To Editor: [email protected]  Easpring Finland New Materials Oy has submitted an environmental permit application for the battery material plant to be established in Kotka a joint venture recently established by Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. has submitted an environmental permit application concerning a cathode active material (CAM) plant to be established in Kotka to the Regional State Administrative Agency The applicant has requested that the environmental permit application be processed under the priority procedure concerning green transition projects the plant is estimated to produce on average 60,000 tonnes of nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode material per year The plant will be on a 27.8-hectare industrial site in the Keltakallio industrial area approximately eight kilometres from the centre of Kotka The local plan and modified local plan for the Keltakallio industrial area came into effect in 2021 An area covering a total of 80 hectares has been reserved for the project for a possible plant expansion in the future The largest environmental impacts of the CAM plant consist of impacts on the community structure The plant process will not cause any direct wastewater discharge into water systems Process effluents will be purified at the plant’s own purification plant after which they will be channelled to the wastewater treatment plant of Kymen Vesi Oy The raw materials and end products will be stored indoors under controlled conditions the goal is to utilise the extra heat energy generated by the production plant in the district heating network of the City of Kotka The production plant will not be situated in a groundwater area or a flood risk area the project has paid special attention to runoff water during the construction and operational phase of the plant the area is planned to include runoff water basins During the development of the project and the operation of the plant energy efficiency and environmental protection process and equipment solutions are used in the design of the plant and production facilities The CAM plant is planned to produce the cathode active material needed in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries which require products whose demand is growing as the electrification of transport advances in Europe CAM production is an entirely new sector with no prior environmental permits there are no other ongoing CAM projects based on nickel-based lithium-ion battery chemistry in Finland SVP of battery value chain at Finnish Minerals Group we are well-positioned to develop transparent and sustainable raw materials production “The battery materials industry would improve the processing degree of Finnish production and increase the value of exports Centralising the production in Finland would also shorten the distances in the production chain thereby decreasing the carbon footprint of the end product,” According to a previously conducted regional economy assessment the Kotka CAM plant’s operations would generate approximately EUR 200 million in new GDP and about EUR 90 million in new tax revenue for Finland each year Its direct employment effect would be approximately 300 person-years and it would have significant economic and employment effects during the construction phase the permit authority will review the permit application and publish a public notice on the issue during which various authorities will provide statements on the matter and interested parties may voice their opinions on the application the plant project will be advanced by Easpring Finland New Materials Oy a joint venture of Finnish Minerals Group and Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. The joint venture’s ownership interest is divided into 70% held by listed company Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Chairman of the Board at Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. The Kotka CAM plant is a significant investment project for Easpring and we consider Finland a good location for high-level industrial operations “Our goal is to accelerate the green transition in Europe by utilising the know-how in battery materials production we have gained through painstaking research and development in almost three decades,” The establishment of this joint venture is an important step towards creating a battery value chain in Finland “The production plant is part of a new modern industry emerging in Finland that will contribute to the electrification of transport in Europe and curbing climate change The production plant will also create jobs and a significant economic impact in the Kymenlaakso region and Finland as a whole,” READ the latest Batteries News shaping the battery market Easpring Finland New Materials Oy has submitted an environmental permit application for the battery material plant to be established in Kotka, Finland. source Xerion Advanced Battery Corp Achieves Breakthrough Single-Step Launches Ohio Pilot Production Line Xerion Advanced Battery Corp has developed a new molten salt electrolysis.. US Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin Inaugurates Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials Custom Battery Electrolyte Facility BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Orbia Advance Corporation Freudenberg – New Sealing Material For Safe Battery Cells Weinheim (Germany) Freudenberg offers an optimized sealing material for e-mobility applications as an alternative to PFAS-containing.. Kotka’s local transport has had an exceptional route to the city centre due to the renovation of the Kotkansaari local transport terminal The changeover to the normal route was to take place when the new local transport terminal was completed the renovation of the Karhula infrastructure will cause additional route deviations for public transport from 9 December onwards when timetables will not allow travel to the local transport terminal on Kotkansaari The return to the normal route will therefore only take place when the summer timetables come into force at the beginning of June 2025 “The background to the new route deviations is the closure of a section of Ahlströmintie in Karhula so that the work on the Karhula infrastructure changes which is due to be completed before summer 2025 The detour route that will come into force with the closure will take more time for buses in Karhula and so the routes in the centre of Kotka must be as short as possible,” says Esa Partanen “Keeping the routes in the city centre short is better achieved with the local transport terminal from the current starting point the section of Ahlströmintie between Vesitorninkatu and Aumakatu will be completely closed to vehicle traffic from Monday 9 December when the changes to public transport routes will also come into effect,” Partanen says “All changes will be visible in the route guide at kotka.digitransit.fi and in Waltti Mobile by the end of November On our website jonnejaminne.fi the new timetables will be visible by 5 December,” Partanen continues “We have tried to minimise changes to the timetable times there are so many changes to the routes in the city centre and Karhula that new printed timetables will be produced for the timetables valid from 9 December the new printed timetables will not be distributed until January The changes will also be announced at key stops and on buses” Lines with changes to stops in the city centre: line 1 will no longer run via the market square when leaving the city centre but the next stops after the bus station will be Kotkankatu and the railway station the buses will no longer run from the bus station via the market square but will leave the bus station immediately in the direction of Puistotie Lines with changes to the stops in Karhula: 17.3.2025 | Kotka has been awarded its first Child-Friendly Municipality recognition by UNICEF Finland The city began its Child-Friendly Municipality work in 2020 UNICEF Finland has evaluated only the goals and results included in Kotka’s Child-Friendly Municipality action plan It has not assessed all municipal activities related to children and children’s rights The recognition does not mean that Kotka’s work for children’s rights is complete; rather the city is committed to continuing its efforts to develop child-friendliness and promote children’s rights The recognition granted to Kotka is valid for two years Kotka is the 35th municipality in Finland to receive UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Municipality recognition UNICEF Finland especially commends Kotka for enhancing the staff’s expertise in children’s rights through extensive training Training and orientation on children’s rights will continue across all municipal sectors Kotka has actively developed structures for children’s participation Various city programs now include specific measures to promote the participation of children and young people A structured Participation Day for primary school children has also been established This new structure ensures that children’s perspectives are heard more directly and without filtering children’s voices have been better incorporated into projects within the city’s technical sector including co-developing nature trails with children This collaboration is set to become a permanent part of the city’s operations Dialogue between children and adults has also enabled discussions on topics important to children This dialogical approach is becoming an established practice in Kotka’s municipal operations Many ideas from children and young people have been implemented through participatory budgeting Kotka has systematically introduced an anti-bullying prevention and intervention model across all schools the various forms of bullying have become more visible and understanding of the phenomenon has improved UNICEF Finland encourages Kotka to continue developing its child rights-based approach and to support a shift in mindset regarding children’s rights It also recommends systematically conducting child impact assessments and ensuring that staff have the necessary expertise for this work Special attention should also be given to the ongoing training of decision-makers “The work done in Kotka has embedded children’s rights into both everyday life and municipal structures and children’s rights have become a natural part of daily conversations and actions We are pleased to continue working with Kotka,” says Johanna Laaja Child-Friendly Municipality expert at UNICEF Finland “We are delighted to receive this recognition We have done great work at the grassroots level together our Child-Friendly Municipality work has focused on everyday structures and ensuring that children’s rights are implemented in municipal operations The core of this work has been participation as well as daily practices that promote inclusion and equality We have increased awareness of children’s rights and identified existing good practices that support their realization in the city,” says Tuula Tissari Child-Friendly Municipality Coordinator and Head of Youth Services in Kotka The new roads to be built are a precondition for the release of plots in the area In addition to the construction of the Keltakallion Road and Santavekselintie the project will include the management of stormwater outside the plots in the area The purpose of the stormwater equalisation basins is to collect and release stormwater in a controlled manner Stormwater treatment and conveyance arrangements will be designed so as not to impose additional burdens on the drainage channels or the surrounding natural environment Construction of the Keltakalliontie stormwater basin will start in February and the Keltakalliontie will be completed in the autumn Construction of the stormwater equalisation basin on the eastern side of the industrial estate will start in the spring Construction of the upstream end of the Santavekselintie is underway in conjunction with the construction of the Keltakallion Road The construction of the infrastructure for the Keltakallio industrial area which will enable the battery industry to locate in the area is financed by the Kymenlaakso Regional Council through AKKE funding National Akke funding will be used to implement Kymenlaakso’s regional programme to support ongoing investments and to boost RDI activities and to anticipate and prepare for changes in the operating environment Mayr-Melnhof confirms to EUWID that the company is discontinuing the production of cupstock at its Kotka mill in Finland The decision marks the end of production of a substitute for PE-coated beverage cups the paper machine at the Kotka mill was converted from magazine paper to the production of folding boxboard and coated barrier board the BM 2 was the first machine in the world at the time to apply dispersion barrier coatings directly online and to produce barrier-coated board that did not contain plastic and could therefore be recycled via the recovered paper stream Mayr-Melnhof said that Kotka would make an important contribution to MM's sustainability strategy within the group and could offer innovative solutions to replace plastics The mill will continue to focus on the development of sustainable and innovative products The capacity of the rebuilt board machine was 400,000 tonnes The amount of cupstock now freed up will be used to produce primary-fibre board instead Service Customer Service+49 7224 9397-701servicenoSpam@GO-AWAYeuwid.de Editorial Team+49 7224 9397-0papernoSpam@GO-AWAYeuwid.com Get the latest news about developments and trends in the industry sent to you once a week free of charge by newsletter Sign up for our newsletter We use cookies and external services on our website others enhance your user experience or help us improve this website You can change your privacy settings any time by clicking privacy policy Necessary cookies are required for the correct functioning of the website Content from video platforms and map services is blocked by default. If access to these services is accepted, separate consent is no longer required when using them. You can find more information on the individual external services in our privacy policy The main attraction of the event will be the drifting drivers and their incredible cars The event will feature vehicles from different categories and drivers ranging in age from 15 to 50 years old The show will include SM PRO2 driver Marjo Tuviala from Kouvola and her stunning BMW e61 Eemi Kamula from Kokkola is one of the first to sign up with his BMW with over 1000 horsepower and the car will be on show for the first time at the Kotka circuit This sport is suitable for all speed freaks who drive their 1000+ horsepower iron racers in a predefined performance area “This is the first time that drifters will be coming to Kotka so the public will have a unique opportunity to witness a show combining tyre smoke and skilful driving in the most spectator-friendly motorsport sport,” says event producer Mikko Almgren from Eagle Motorsport There is plenty to see and do in the area outside of the drifting shows There will be racing cars in various classes tuning cars and automotive accessories such as tyres “This is the perfect opportunity for motorsport enthusiasts and families to enjoy a varied programme,” promises Almgren Delicious food will also be at the heart of the event burgers and other tempting options will be available in the area “The restaurant in the harbour arena will serve good food and refreshing drinks Vip guests will also be welcomed at the Arena,” says Mikko Almgren “The Eagle Drift Battle & Motorsport Wknd is a free event that brings thousands of visitors to the area where everyone can experience the unique atmosphere of a domestic motorsport event,” Almgren enthuses For more information and updates on the event, visit the Instagram account @Eagle.drift and www.visitkotkahamina.fi/eagledrift (page will open on 10.2.) has further solidified its leadership in the hydrogen industry by obtaining a significant grant from the EU Innovation Fund This accomplishment highlights Ren-Gas’s dedication to develop the world’s most competitive hydrogen value chain in Finland Ren-Gas is proud to announce that its eNRG Kotka project has been awarded a €41.9 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund This significant subsidy funding is a key milestone in the path to final investment decision of the project It also accelerates the development of Ren-Gas portfolio and the cost-effective decarbonization of the transportation and energy sectors eNRG Kotka project is a Power-to-Gas facility that produces renewable e-methane and district heating from excess process heat This project is central to Ren-Gas’s goal of building a e-methane production network in Finland by 2030 which will deliver significant amounts of renewable fuels for road transportation and maritime sectors Ren-Gas has six extremely well concepted projects under development in Finland Ren-Gas has previously secured investment grant from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for its first project in Tampere Ren-Gas was awarded 10-year production subsidy from EU hydrogen bank auction in Spring 2024 carbon capture and methanation equipment for Lahti project received significant energy investment subsidy from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in October 2024 further strengthening Ren-Gas’s position as a leader in European hydrogen space “We are thrilled to receive this grant from the EU Innovation Fund for our eNRG Kotka e-methane project We have developed this project in close collaboration with our energy utility partner Kotkan Energia and with strong support from City of Kotka We have already secured subsidy funding for two plants in our portfolio This support from EU Innovation Fund is a major milestone for eNRG Kotka project It enables us to plan the construction and operation of our portfolio of Power-to-Gas projects in an integrated and optimised manner We are committed to driving innovation and sustainability and this grant is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team “eNRG Kotka is a truly significant project and it has been fantastic to develop it together with the top-notch team at Ren-Gas The support from the EU Innovation Fund ensures that eNRG Kotka will swiftly move towards the final investment decision and the production of renewable transport fuels,” commented Tommi Göös Ren-Gas is recognized as the leading European hydrogen developer and this grant is a clear evidence of Ren-Gas’ leadership in the field very strong partners cross the value chain and consistent support from both the EU and the Finnish Government highlight company’s commitment to advancing European e-methane value chain and reducing greenhouse gas emissions The EU Innovation Fund supports innovative low-carbon technologies and projects that contribute to the clean energy transition The selection of eNRG Kotka project highlights the project’s potential to make a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable fuels in Europe Source: Ren-Gas website. 17.09.2024 | Tourism is a major industry and employer on the east coast The Kotka-Hamina region has great potential and the employment impact of tourism is clear According to the recent Tourism Income and Employment Impact Study the total direct income from tourism in the Kotka-Hamina sub-regional unit was €86.7 million in 2023 The total impact of tourism was up to €108.8 million The Visit Kotka-Hamina region includes Hamina The direct employment impact of tourism in the Kotka-Hamina sub-region in 2023 was 405 person-years and in Loviisa an additional 74 person-years “The tourism sector has grown and developed despite challenging times income and vitality to the region,” sums up Ekaterina Miettinen Tourism in the region is believed to have a lot of untapped potential and by taking into account changing trends in consumer behaviour we can improve results,” Miettinen continues The impact of tourism has been most visible in Kotka where direct tourism receipts totalled EUR 61.7 million last year and the total impact was EUR 77.4 million In relation to the turnover of other industries tourism receipts in Kotka were higher than in sectors such as building construction or real estate Kotka’s tourism receipts are higher than Hamina and Loviisa saw a small decrease in tourism receipts in 2023 which is explained by factors such as interest rate years direct tourism receipts in 2023 totalled €17.8 million and the total impact €22.3 million while in Loviisa direct tourism receipts amounted to €15.2 million and the total impact €25.4 million Tourism statistics for May-June 2024 have been trending upwards the number of registered overnight stays in the Kotka and Hamina region was 12% higher than in 2023 The highest numbers of visitors have come from Finland Registered accommodation sales rose by 8% to €2.1 million “Visitors to the region are attracted by the events the abundance of waterways and the historical sites which are just over an hour’s drive from the capital region the range of archipelago destinations and experience accommodation emerged as favourites based on our website analytics,” says Miettinen Hamina’s Ulko-Tammio and other islands in the eastern Gulf of Finland were also chosen as the Domestic Destination of the Year 2024 which has contributed to the increased interest in the whole region “Visit Kotka-Hamina’s Johku marketplace has proven its worth during the past summer season Business has been good in terms of activities the autumn is looking like a record-breaking busy season,” Miettinen sums up This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page 3.2.2025 | A new book exchange point will open at Kotka’s main library on Monday The exchange is located in Hilda’s Room on the first floor of the library and will be open during the library’s regular hours The exchange operates on a self-service basis meaning visitors can bring their own books and take new ones in return but if there is interest in other materials The library has a few guidelines for using the exchange: 15.4.2025 | Easter, May Day, Ascension Day, and the staff development day will affect library opening hours. In addition, libraries will switch to summer hours starting in early May. At the Karhula and Karhuvuori libraries, self-service is available even during public holidays. Library opening hours and contact information can be found at https://kyyti.finna.fi Staff development day on Friday 30 MayOn the staff development day but self-service is available at Karhula Library from 7:00 to 21:00 and at Karhuvuori Library from 7:00 to 16:00 Summer opening hoursMidsummer celebrations begin at the libraries on Thursday 19 June when all libraries and the mobile library will follow the holiday eve opening hours self-service is available at the Karhula and Karhuvuori branch libraries from 7:00 to 16:00 Summer opening hours at libraries will take effect on Friday 2 May the mobile library will operate only evening routes and will be completely out of service from 30 June to 27 July Mobile library schedules are available at all service points 10.10.2024 | Kymenlaakso has received EU funding to prepare a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan The main partner in the Pact4Resilience project is the Kymenlaakso Regional Council Kouvola and Hamina and other key actors in Kymenlaakso the Regional Development Centre of South-East Finland and the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) Kymenlaakso was awarded €210,000 funding from the Pathways2Resilience Horizon project which will use the methods developed to develop an adaptation plan The funded regions will test the adaptation plan’s stepping stones The aim is to take into account vulnerable groups the importance of nature for people and society and to identify sources of funding for adaptation measures The Pact4Resilience project aims to help Kotka and other municipalities in Kymenlaakso and public actors anticipate the challenges of a changing climate and strengthen their resilience Kymenlaakso can avoid the worst threats of climate change 11.4.2025 | Easter will cause some changes to bus services in the Kotka region The Estonian government has convened an advisory council of business leaders with the aim of focusing on economic efficiency and growth over the next 18 months The council will be based at the Chancellery of the Riigikogu The members of the Council are Viljar Arakas State Secretary Keit Kasemets and representatives of different businesses presented their plans on Tuesday we are at the dawn of a historic gathering in which entrepreneurs from different fields come together at the Prime Minister's Office and the State Chancellery The aim is to make Estonia more efficient," Michal said "Reforming the Estonian state and making it more rational has been discussed for a long time said it would not take on the private sector side of teaching the state how to run itself "No businessman is going to come to the door of a government office with a chainsaw and say we don't know what you are doing here but we know you have to do it differently." Arakas explained that the council will only deal with regulations State Secretary Keit Kasemets said he would act as a mediator between the council the prime minister and the economic cabinet The board proposes four main focus areas: planning public oversight and redundant requirements and regulations Businesses say that the entire planning process needs to be reviewed including the necessary consents and permits and impact assessments and studies They consider it especially necessary in the case of energy generation capacity Companies also recommend the creation of a "green corridor" for the rapid processing of planning applications for new investments Businesses will be required to review their reports and to cancel the least necessary ones The council also believes reporting should be made as automatic as possible for companies willing to do so The main areas and agencies that need to be addressed regarding that issue the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) the Ministry of Finance (sustainability reporting taxonomy) and the Financial Supervision Authority the council recommends a review of all burdensome requirements and a radical reduction of on-the-spot checks Instead of a separate control function for each authority operators say that joint supervision should be established The main areas and agencies that operators believe need to be addressed in this respect are the Environmental Board the Agricultural Registers and Information Board and the use of EU pathways (all implementing agencies) On the issue of redundant requirements and regulations the council recommends reviewing and removing the most burdensome requirements as there is a large body of legislation that brings different requirements and guidance to businesses a major administrative burden arises in areas that require authorization or registration The main areas and agencies that businesses this relates to are the Environmental Board Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) and the Rescue Board Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update! 0)" class="article-poll-disclaimer" ng-bind="totalVotes + ' hääletajat'"> {{option.votes}} {{selectedLanguage.poll.votes}}/ Iga kasutaja võib hääletada {{poll.optionLimit}} vastusevariandi poolt 21.11.2024 | The City of Kotka is changing the principles and price list for renting its youth facilities and youth camp areas The changes will come into force at the beginning of 2025 says that the price list for the facilities and areas was already outdated and that the rental principles also needed to be clarified “The update is necessary to clarify the price categories and entries in the price list and to revise the prices The previous decisions on prices for youth facilities and youth camp areas were made 10 years ago and the need for a review and update was obvious,” says Lamminaho The updated policy includes guidelines on fee categories The primary target group for youth facilities youth camp areas and other youth service activities is children and young people under 29 years of age Other actors may also use and exploit existing facilities and areas There were previously five fee categories and now this will be simplified by creating only two fee categories: reduced fee categories and basic fee categories The use of youth facilities will remain free of charge at a reduced rate Users in the basic rate category will pay the price according to the price list based on the space and the duration of the booking Band rooms have already been charged to amateurs in the past and will see a small increase at the turn of the year The use of youth camping areas will be subject to a fee for both fee categories Fees for the reduced fee category will be subsidized by the Youth Services Department and fees for the basic fee category will be determined on a cost basis with no profit Youth Services Director Lamminaho acknowledges that the fee updates will cause prices to increase “The use of youth facilities will remain free of charge in the reduced fee category so in this respect the update will have no impact on children and youth activities.” Campsite fees may have a negative impact on the organisation of camp activities for children and young people and on the participation fees charged by camp organisers are intended to cover the replacement or purchase of consumables (kitchen equipment the provision of functional equipment and safety-related items (electrical equipment etc.) and measures related to the general use and cleanliness of campsites (maintenance work “Keeping the campsites operational and comfortable for our customers requires a financial investment and the rental income can cover part of this camping areas can continue to be offered for activities,” says Lamminaho The film is open to all and lasts 55 minutes Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Vellamo Marine Centre’s online shop.  The ticket price is €10 tickets will also be sold at the Vellamo ticket office on the day of the event before the screening In the eastern Gulf of Finland are four old Finnish islands that Finland was forced to cede to the Soviet Union as part of the Winter War peace treaty Seiskari and especially Suursaari have taken on a topical significance as Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has also increased tensions in the Baltic Sea Photographer-director Juha Metso visited Suursaari seven times and the other outer islands once between 1999 and 2019 while documentary filmmaker Mika Rokka visited Suursaari in the summer of 2007 Their photos have captured what remains of the islands for posterity to see Screenwriter Marjo Näkki has worked as a journalist in the Baltic Sea region The film features islanders and their descendants The illustrations are based on unique material from Metso and Rokka and the collages include old archive photos from the Kymenlaakso Museum The result is a unique and dramatic documentary film about islands and Stories and memories tie people to their roots This documentary tells the stories of the islands and their culture the documentary depicts the longing that descendants of islanders in the descending generation may feel She says she is from the Greater Åland Islands although she was born and has lived in Kotka all her life Tita’s paternal roots are in Suursaari Titta feels a strong longing for the island yet powerful experience of herself and her background The same rootlessness and broken thread is being inflicted every day The only difference is that the Ukrainians who fled can still reach their homelands but Tita does not have the same opportunity Art produced with modern technology and digital solutions can enable Tita to reach the lost Great Island The documentary follows Tita’s journey both to herself to her roots and to the virtual reality that can bring to life what has been lost forever www.merikeskusvellamo.fi A statue of Vladimir Lenin is removed from the streets of the city of Kotka The southeastern Finnish city of Kotka on Tuesday removed the last publicly displayed statue of Russian bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin in the Nordic country due to increasing pressure from residents in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine HELSINKI (AP) — A city in southeastern Finland on Tuesday removed the country’s last publicly displayed statue of Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin following pressure from residents in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine a port city of 52,000 not far from the border with Russia hoisted the statue into a truck and drove it away to a warehouse of a local museum City museum director Kirsi Niku told Finnish public broadcaster YLE that the bronze bust was designed and constructed by Estonian sculptor Matti Varik in the late 1970s on orders from Moscow It was presented to Kotka in 1979 as a gift from friendship city Tallinn then the capital of the Estonian Soviet republic and now the capital of the Baltic nation of Estonia Presenting such statues was a common practice by Moscow to underline the Finnish-Soviet friendship in the post-WWII era The Lenin statue is located in a central Kotka park adjacent to a wooden house where the Bolshevik party founder who became the Soviet Union’s first premier is said to have stayed The statue was vandalized over the years but remained in the park until Kotka’s city council decided to have it removed Other European countries have moved to get rid of their remaining Soviet-era monuments since Russia invaded Ukraine more than seven months ago Finland and Russia share a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) land border and a complicated history Finland remained a part of the Russian Empire as an autonomous Grand Duchy for over a hundred years until Dec when it declared independence in the wake of the Russian Revolution led by Lenin Lenin and the Bolshevik leadership recognized the Nordic’s country independence on the last day of 1917 Lenin was exiled to Finland on several occasions living in various cities and towns across the southern part of the country The southern Finnish industrial and university city of Tampere hosts a Lenin museum Future Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and Lenin met for the first time in Tampere in 1905 during a meeting of Bolshevik leaders in the city a pioneer in sustainable battery materials is making the leap towards commercial operations by choosing the Sunila factory site in Kotka as the location for a pilot plant for biographite production CarbonScape is building a European supply chain for battery materials independent of traditional sources The experience gained from the pilot plant will also serve the company’s global expansion a leading global producer of renewable materials and a minority shareholder in CarbonScape Stora Enso leases part of the Sunila site for use by CarbonScape CarbonScape is currently carrying out a technical design study for its first pilot plant and at the same time its first production plant The aim is to start construction of the plant next year and sample production in 2026 New Zealand-based bioeconomy company CarbonScape has developed a low-cost carbon-negative biogrid that can be processed from woody biomass.The revolutionary material is designed to replace the mined or fossil synthetic graphite used in lithium-ion batteries The material addresses the supply chain and sustainability challenges of the rapidly growing electric vehicle market and energy storage CEO of CarbonScape comments: “Our partnership with Stora Enso and the decision to locate the pilot plant in Sunila underline the global potential of our technology.By producing a biograft from sustainable forest industry by-products we are not only creating a new supply chain but redefining the boundaries of what is possible with battery technology.” Sunila was chosen as the location for the pilot plant a year after forest industry giant Stora Enso became a shareholder in CarbonScape.The partnership combines CarbonScape’s cutting-edge technology with Stora Enso’s expertise in innovations based on bio-based renewable materials Senior Vice President of Biomaterials Growth Businesses at Stora Enso “The location of CarbonScape’s pilot plant at our Sunila site is fully aligned with our shared vision to advance sustainable battery technologies and the transition to renewable materials Our partnership will help explore synergies between our facilities accelerate innovation and strengthen Stora Enso’s leadership in sustainable solutions.” CarbonScape has been optimising biograft production processes at its pilot plant in New Zealand The new pilot plant in Sunila will significantly scale up this technology paving the way for full-scale commercialisation Graphite makes up 42% of the volume of a lithium-ion battery more than 90% of the world’s battery-grade graphite will come from China creating potential supply chain vulnerabilities for the growing electric vehicle and energy storage markets CarbonScape’s biographite is a price-competitive solution that offers superior performance environmental friendliness and energy security by enabling local production of the material This is in line with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Regulation and parallel efforts to safeguard strategic battery materials in North America Through joint ventures and technology licensing CarbonScape aims to achieve a turnover of $2.5 billion and a market share of almost 20% in Europe and the US by 2035 4.4.2025 | A new family center will open in Karhula on April 28 Services that were previously located in temporary facilities including the Kymenlaakso wellbeing area’s maternity clinic The family center will be located at the Karhula hospital Access to the family center will be through the main entrance of the hospital registration will now take place at the registration kiosk in the hospital’s lobby The meeting point of the Karhula family center will continue its operations at its previous location at Karjalantie 10–12 the Karhula maternity clinic will be closed during the week prior to the family center’s opening Health nurses from the maternity clinic will make home visits to mothers who have recently given birth and their newborns during the closure week Appointments for other maternity clinic services are available for babies and pregnant women Non-urgent appointments will be handled once the maternity clinic reopens in week 18 Group meetings and client guidance at the family counseling service will continue as usual Individual client meetings can be scheduled during the move week at other locations There will be no interruptions to child protection services during the move a family center will also open in Kouvola later this year This follows a decision made in 2019 by the Kymenlaakso social and healthcare municipal federation to establish two comprehensive family service centers in Kymenlaakso The launch of the family service centers has been delayed due to the lack of suitable facilities for the services with new construction and a reorganization of services space has been freed up in Kotka and Kouvola allowing the family centers to begin operations in 2025 More services will move to the Karhula family center in the coming years The aim of the family center initiative is to better integrate services for families with children and families will be able to access multiple services and expertise from a single location The family center network includes services for children By newsroom on May 31 2024Comments Off on Welcome to the Offline Island: A phone-free island captivated media and travellers managed to sell out access to the Finnish island for the whole 2023 summer season the bold campaign achieved a tremendous amount of media attention with a striking creative idea and a socially relevant angle In our hectic modern world, vacationing on an island without phone access sounds heavenly to many of us. The regional tourism board of Kotka-Hamina decided to do just that: with their creative agency SEK they declared the Finnish island of Ulko-Tammio the world’s first offline island in the summer of 2023 Spending time in nature is a vital way to combat digital burnout and its proven effects on wellbeing are central to Visit Kotka-Hamina’s brand is an ideal location to experience these mental benefits firsthand “The campaign was an amazing success, combining creativity with an important social message. A big thank you goes to our client, who had the courage to implement this unique idea together with us. It’s wonderful to see that the story of the world’s first offline island continues in the summer of 2024,” says Janne Malinen, Client Director at SEK From a travel slowdown to a record number of visits Tourism had taken a dive due to the area’s proximity to Russia To increase the appeal of the region and its archipelago as a travel destination the tourism board needed a creative idea using very limited resources The concept was also incorporated into official signage and screen covers for visitors Phone detox while traveling proved to be a compelling angle for both Finnish and international media Prestigious international outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and CBS as well as top-tier Finnish media outlets covered the campaign The media outreach brought in more than 1,200 articles in the media and a potential reach of 3.4 billion The media attention led to tangible growth in travel numbers: overnight stays to the cities of Kotka and Loviisa grew by 8.4% compared to previous year Ferries to the island of Ulko-Tammio were completely sold out for the summer 2023 thanks to widespread media coverage Source: SEK Welcome to the Offline Island: A phone-free island captivated media and travellers added by newsroom on May 31, 2024View all posts by newsroom →