By guest author Alexis Taivaninen
The Finnish manufacturing industry is showing signs of recuperating from the loss of new orders caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Statistics Finland in July reported that the value of new orders in manufacturing jumped by 45.2 % year-on-year in May, adding up to an increase of 23.1 % for the period between January and May.
The value of new orders had fallen by more than 28 % in both May and July of 2020.
Increases in the value of new orders were recorded across the manufacturing industry, with the metals industry leading the way with a surge of 51.2 %. The paper industry recorded an increase of 45.6 % and the chemicals industry one of 20 % in order value from the previous year.
Flow of orders is bodes well for the economic outlook of Finland. The manufacturing industry accounts for roughly 50 % of exports and almost 30 % of gross domestic product in the country. The Technology Industries of Finland has additionally estimated that its member companies provide employment directly to about 300 000 people and 700 000 in total, making up 30 % of the entire workforce.
Phones have evidently been ringing off the hook in the sales department of Wärtsilä.
The Finnish technology supplier reported at the beginning of the month that it has entered into a seven-year optimised maintenance agreement to support the operations of two river-pusher tugs in Northern Brazil.
Powered by 20 engines manufactured by Wärtsilä and owned by Hidrovias do Brasil, the tugs operate regularly in shallow waters and remote locations, making maintenance tasks difficult. The agreement covers not only data-driven maintenance planning and expert insight innovations, but also insights on fuel efficiency, uptime optimisation, personnel training, and spare parts planning and coordination.
The Finnish manufacturing industry is showing signs of recuperating from the loss of new orders caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Statistics Finland in July reported that the value of new orders in manufacturing jumped by 45.2 % year-on-year in May, adding up to an increase of 23.1 % for the period between January and May.e value of new orders had fallen by more than 28 % in both May and July of 2020.
Increases in the value of new orders were recorded across the manufacturing industry, with the metals industry leading the way with a surge of 51.2 %. The paper industry recorded an increase of 45.6 % and the chemicals industry one of 20 % in order value from the previous year.
The inflow of orders is bodes well for the economic outlook of Finland. The manufacturing industry accounts for roughly 50 % of exports and almost 30 % of gross domestic product in the country. The Technology Industries of Finland has additionally estimated that its member companies provide employment directly to about 300 000 people and 700 000 in total, making up 30 % of the entire workforce.
Valmet Automotive to start production of unique EV
Valmet Automotive, meanwhile, reported last month that it has signed a letter of intent for manufacturing a limited series of Lightyear One, a unique electric vehicle designed by the Netherland’s Lightyear.
The Finnish automotive maker highlighted that the energy-efficient design of the partly solar-cell powered vehicle eliminate two of the main concerns associated with electric cars: charging and range. The Dutch startup recently reached a critical technological milestone for validating its in-house technology by demonstrating 710 kilometres of range with its prototype.
The assembly of the first vehicle is scheduled to start at the assembly plant of Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Southern Finland, in 2022.
The company has experience of producing electric vehicles dating back to 2009. It described the collaborative effort as a perfect match with its manufacturing ambitions, given its strategic focus on e-mobility and sustainability.
“Our experience as a car manufacturer as well as our focus on electric mobility and battery systems make us predestined for processes in which mobility must be redefined. We are ready to enter new areas in manufacturing cars and are therefore pleased that Lightyear has selected us as their production partner,” told Olaf Bongwald, CEO of Valmet Automotive.
Metso Outotec takes on “game-changing” smelter project
Metso Outotec in July stated that it has secured an order worth 360 million euros for the design and engineering of a copper smelter complex to be built in Gresik, East Java.
The scope of the order comprises the design and supply of key process equipment and process control systems for the main areas of the complex, the copper electrolytic refinery, the gas cleaning and sulphuric acid plant, the slag concentrator, and the effluent treatment plant.
The delivery is based on Flash Smelting, a technology licensed by Metso Outotec. The technology is the most widely applied smelting technology in the world, enabling its users to avoid more than 1.6 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide emissions in 2020.
Pekka Vauramo, CEO of Metso Outotec, said the collaborative endeavour will establish a “new standard” for the copper smelter industry by fulfilling the strictest international environmental standards and efficiency requirements.
“We are very happy to work together to implement this game-changing copper smelter,” he rejoiced.
PT Freeport Indonesia is the owner and PT Chiyoda International Indonesia the engineering, procurement and construction contractor of the project. Metso Outotec has worked with both companies for years to ensure the best available process design and technologies for the project, told Jari Ålgars, head of metals business at Metso Outotec.
Kalmar’s flock of cranes growing at MCT
The Finnish manufacturing industry is showing signs of recuperating from the loss of new orders caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Statistics Finland in July reported that the value of new orders in manufacturing jumped by 45.2 % year-on-year in May, adding up to an increase of 23.1 % for the period between January and May.
