On top of the zinc world Boliden Kokkola refines a metal vital to both steel and humans.
esa melametsä
ZINC IS A NATURAL METAL, which Boliden Kokkola obtains as a concentrate from mines around the world. To refine concentrates into high-quality zinc you need vast expertise, long experience and advanced production technology. Boliden Kokkola, one of the world’s largest zinc plants, has all these. A large share of the concentrates used at the Kokkola zinc plant originates from the Boliden Group’s own mines in Sweden and Ireland. In addition to Kokkola, Boliden has a zinc plant in Odda, in Norway. “Our plant refines concentrates into pure or alloyed zinc. Our annual production capacity in Kokkola is slightly over 300,000 tonnes of zinc,” says Jarmo Herronen, General Manager. Zinc extends lives The biggest customer group of Boliden Kokkola consists of steel plants that make products such as plates for vehicle superstructures. The company’s customers also include hot-dip galvanisers that use zinc to coat lighting poles, fences, trailers and highway railings. “Zinc is a vital corrosion protection for steel. Steel as such withstands corrosion only a few years, but if galvanised, it resists rust anywhere from 50 to 100 years,” says Herronen.
He knows that zinc is also essential to all living organisms. This is why Boliden supports Zinc Saves Kids, an initiative of the International Zinc Association (IZA), in support of UNICEF’s zinc supplementation programmes for children in developing countries who suffer from malnutrition and diarrhoea.
Process Operator Mikko Koivisto, Production Manager Jens Nyberg and Foundry Manager Manu Myllymäki all contribute to ensuring the quality of operations meets customer.
Modern production Boliden Kokkola has invested in advanced and environmentally efficient production. mats sandström
“Zinc is an important nutrient for our health. Its deficiency affects small children in particular. In this respect, Boliden Kokkola is a natural assistant, which is why we are strongly committed to UNICEF’s Zinc Saves Kids campaign,” explains Jarmo Herronen.
The heat generated in production processes is utilised in other production facilities and in urban district heating networks. The sulphuric acid generated as a byproduct of zinc production is also put to good use. “We have owned a sulphuric acid plant since 2010, and can provide the raw material for it on our own,” explains Herronen. The plant has been developed goal-orientedly for decades, and the direct leaching method used for zinc concentrate, for example, was developed in Kokkola. “Thanks to our highly skilled personnel we will be able to further develop production into a more modern and energy- efficient direction,” says Herronen with pride in his voice. c
boliden kokkola oy Tel. +358 6 828 6111 www.boliden.com Business sector: Zinc production Turnover 2010: €211 million Employees: 520
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Export: 85% Major markets: EU
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