--- title: The new production facility of Solar Foods would have significant impacts on Lappeenranta and all of Finland. description: Solar Foods plans to build a carbon-neutral protein production facility in Lappeenranta, boosting the city's economy and supporting Finland's clean transition goals. image: https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Illustration-of-the-Solar-Foods-Moonshot-Project.png --- [![Business Lappeenranta ja Imatra (1)](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20Lappeenranta%20ja%20Imatra%20(1).png?width=288&height=90&name=Business%20Lappeenranta%20ja%20Imatra%20(1).png "Business Lappeenranta ja Imatra (1)")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors) Show submenu for Sectors - [Data Economy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/data-economy) - [Hydrogen and P2X](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/hydrogen-and-p2x) - [Defence and Dual-use](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/defence-and-dual-use) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Technology Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/development-testing-and-manufacturing-in-one-business-network) - [Metal Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/manufacturing-expertise-close-to-industrial-supply-chains) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) - [Home](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors) Show submenu for Sectors - [Data Economy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/data-economy) - [Hydrogen and P2X](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/hydrogen-and-p2x) - [Defence and Dual-use](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/defence-and-dual-use) - [Bioeconomy](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/bio-and-circular-economy) - [Technology Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/development-testing-and-manufacturing-in-one-business-network) - [Metal Industry](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sectors/manufacturing-expertise-close-to-industrial-supply-chains) - [Pilot environments](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/themes/piloting-possibilities) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) Haku Hae - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/the-new-production-facility-of-solar-foods-would-have-significant-impacts-on-lappeenranta-and-all-of-finland) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/solar-foodsin-uudella-tuotantolaitoksella-olisi-merkittäviä-vaikutuksia-lappeenrannalle-ja-koko-suomelle) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) - - [English](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/the-new-production-facility-of-solar-foods-would-have-significant-impacts-on-lappeenranta-and-all-of-finland) - [Suomi](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/solar-foodsin-uudella-tuotantolaitoksella-olisi-merkittäviä-vaikutuksia-lappeenrannalle-ja-koko-suomelle) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/yhteystiedot#yhteydenotto) Haku Hae ![The new production facility of Solar Foods would have significant impacts on Lappeenranta and all of Finland.](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Illustration-of-the-Solar-Foods-Moonshot-Project.png) 15.5.2025 | [Plots, premises and area information](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news/tag/plots-premises-and-area-information) # The new production facility of Solar Foods would have significant impacts on Lappeenranta and all of Finland. Solar Foods plans to build a carbon-neutral protein production facility in Lappeenranta, boosting the city's economy and supporting Finland's clean transition goals. ## *Share* - [mailto:?&subject=The%20new%20production%20facility%20of%20Solar%20Foods%20would%20have%20significant%20impacts%20on%20Lappeenranta%20and%20all%20of%20Finland.&body=The%20new%20production%20facility%20of%20Solar%20Foods%20would%20have%20significant%20impacts%20on%20Lappeenranta%20and%20all%20of%20Finland.%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fbusinesssouthkarelia.fi%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fthe-new-production-facility-of-solar-foods-would-have-significant-impacts-on-lappeenranta-and-all-of-finland)](mailto:?&subject=The%20new%20production%20facility%20of%20Solar%20Foods%20would%20have%20significant%20impacts%20on%20Lappeenranta%20and%20all%20of%20Finland.&body=The%20new%20production%20facility%20of%20Solar%20Foods%20would%20have%20significant%20impacts%20on%20Lappeenranta%20and%20all%20of%20Finland.%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fbusinesssouthkarelia.fi%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fthe-new-production-facility-of-solar-foods-would-have-significant-impacts-on-lappeenranta-and-all-of-finland)) - - - **Food technology company Solar Foods is preparing an investment in its first industrial-scale production facility in Lappeenranta, in the Selkäharju area.** The investment decision is expected in 2026. The plant is planned to produce Solein® protein — a carbon-neutral, sustainable microbial protein that can be produced independent of soil, air, or climate conditions. According to Mayor Tuomo Sallinen, new investments like that of Solar Foods have a major impact on the vitality of all of Finland and support national clean transition goals. > “The large-scale investment being prepared by Solar Foods in Lappeenranta is, of course, an important and encouraging matter for the city as well.” The City’s Director of Economic Development, Ding Ma, says that Lappeenranta succeeded very well in its site selection marketing and facilitation. > “We presented three location options in Lappeenranta to the company in a short time, and the alternatives were efficiently reviewed together. Cooperation was carried out across various city departments and with Lappeenrannan Energia. If the plant project proceeds, it will have a significant impact on the city’s vitality.” Out of several siting options, Selkäharju offers the best conditions for rapid project implementation. > “One of Lappeenranta’s key advantages is the electricity transmission network currently being built by Lappeenrannan Energia, from Ylikkälä to Simolantie. In addition, surplus heat generated by the plant’s production process could be utilized in the city’s district heating network,” says Pasi Vainikka, CEO of Solar Foods. Lappeenrannan Energia has anticipated increased electricity demand in the area due to the energy transition and the shift to clean electrification by launching a new connection line construction project. > “Our new 110 kV connection line enables further electrification throughout the Lappeenranta area. The increase in transmission capacity will also ensure efficient electricity supply to Solar Foods at the Selkäharju site,” says Arto Nikkanen, CEO of Lappeenrannan Energia. The construction of Solar Foods' Factory 02 production facility is planned to take place in three phases, with the first phase of production scheduled to begin in 2028. --- **Further information:** **Tuomo Sallinen** Mayor, City of Lappeenranta Tel. +358 40 624 1422 tuomo.sallinen@lappeenranta.fi **Ding Ma** Director of Economic Development, City of Lappeenranta Tel. +358 40 660 4015 ding.ma@lappeenranta.fi **Arto Nikkanen** CEO, Lappeenrannan Energia Oy Tel. +358 20 177 6056 arto.nikkanen@lreoy.fi **Pasi Vainikka** CEO, Solar Foods Tel. +358 10 579 3286 pasi.vainikka@solarfoods.com ## Saattaisit myös pitää ### [![The new production facility of Solar Foods would have significant impacts on Lappeenranta and all of Finland.](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/2211%20lpr%20kaupunki%20yrityspalvelu4354_lo-res_web-1.jpg) *18.10.2026 | ICT ja datatalous* Visma Solutions Oy:n juuret ovat syvällä Lappeenrannassa](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/visma-solutionsin-menestystarina-lappeenrannassa-ja-sen-arvot?hsLang=en) ### [![The new production facility of Solar Foods would have significant impacts on Lappeenranta and all of Finland.](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/20260909_131152.jpg) *15.10.2026 | Biotalous* Biotalouden kasvua rakennetaan yhdessä – Lappeenrannan BioHUBI kytkeytyy valtakunnalliseen yhteistyöhön](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/biotalouden-kasvua-rakennetaan-yhdess%C3%A4-lappeenrannan-biohubi-kytkeytyy-valtakunnalliseen-yhteisty%C3%B6h%C3%B6n?hsLang=en) ### [![ETD Finland Oy:n henkilöstö](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/ETD%20Finland%20ryhm%C3%A4kuva.jpg) *12.10.2026 | ICT ja datatalous* ETD Finland rakentaa Lappeenrannasta käsin digitaalisen yhteiskunnan näkymätöntä selkärankaa](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/artikkelit/etd-finland-rakentaa-lappeenrannasta-k%C3%A4sin-digitaalisen-yhteiskunnan-n%C3%A4kym%C3%A4t%C3%B6nt%C3%A4-selk%C3%A4rankaa?hsLang=en) Contact info Helena Laitinen City of Lappeenranta tel. 045 602 0140 helena.laitinen@lappeenranta.fi   Janne Saharinen Imatran Seudun Kehitysyhtiö Oy Puh. 050 584 6294 janne.saharinen@kehy.fi **Sitemap** - [Front page](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi) - [Sectors](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/sektorit) - [News](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/news) - [Sites and premises](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/sites-and-premises) - [Contact us](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/en/contact-information) [![business-lappeenranta-vaalea](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/business-lappeenranta-vaalea.png?width=400&height=200&name=business-lappeenranta-vaalea.png "business-lappeenranta-vaalea")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) [![BIR\_logo\_logo\_oranssi-valkoinen](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hs-fs/hubfs/Logot/BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen.png?width=153&height=100&name=BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen.png "BIR_logo_logo_oranssi-valkoinen")](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/?hsLang=en) ![Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR](https://businesssouthkarelia.fi/hubfs/Logos/Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR.jpg "Rahoittajalogot-yhdessa-EAKR") Sivusto on luotu osana "Kotisatama Etelä-Karjalaan - Maakunnallisen sijoittumismyynnin kehittäminen" -hanketta. 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