Fazer Invests €400 Million in New Chocolate Factory in Lahti
Fazer is initiating the renewal of its chocolate production with an investment of approximately €400 million in a new chocolate factory in Lahti, Finland. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with the factory expected to be completed in 2028. The new facility will combine Fazer’s long-standing chocolate expertise with advanced manufacturing capabilities. A portion of the chocolate production will continue in Vantaa.
The company’s board has approved the investment in the new chocolate factory, which will be located in Lahti. It will integrate Fazer’s extensive chocolate knowledge with highly automated production lines and innovative technology, enabling the creation of entirely new product types. Thanks to electrification and comprehensive energy recovery, the factory will be CO2-emission free. The efficient use of raw materials facilitated by the new technology will also significantly reduce production waste. The factory, to be built in the Pippo business area, is slated for completion in 2028.
Christoph Vitzthum, CEO of Fazer, stated: “This investment of approximately €400 million is the largest in Fazer’s history and is also highly significant for the Finnish food industry. The new factory supports our growth both in Finland and in the international market and is a testament to our strong belief in the competitiveness of domestic food production on the global stage.”
The new factory will strengthen Fazer’s position as the leading confectionery manufacturer in the Nordic region and facilitate Fazer’s international expansion, as well as a substantial increase in Finnish food exports. Currently, Fazer accounts for approximately 15 percent of Finland’s food exports.
With the investment decision, Fazer has finalized a real estate transaction with the city of Lahti, and construction of the factory will commence. The construction phase is estimated to employ hundreds of people across various industries, totaling over 500,000 working hours.
The investment will be carried out from 2025 to 2028 and financed through long-term debt financing. As part of the financing structure, Fazer has developed a framework for green financing. Within this framework, the company can issue a variety of green financial instruments, including green loans, leases, and bonds. The construction of the chocolate factory has received support from the industrial investment support program for a clean transition.
About the Factory
- Construction begins in the summer of 2025
- The construction of the new factory is estimated to employ hundreds of people across various industries, totaling over 500,000 working hours
- The factory will cover an area of approximately 33,300 square meters
- Thanks to electrified and highly automated production, as well as comprehensive energy recovery, the factory will be CO2-emission free with respect to its own energy consumption
- BREEAM environmental classification applied for the factory (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
- The factory is expected to be operational in 2028
Fazer in Finland
- Fazer employs over 4,000 people in Finland
- Fazer has production facilities in Finland in Vantaa, Lahti, and Lappeenranta
- Vantaa will continue to house Fazer’s biscuit factory, a large bakery, the headquarters, part of the chocolate production, and the Fazer Experience visitor center
- Lahti already houses Fazer’s mill, rusk factory, a large bakery, a gluten-free bakery, and the xylitol factory
- Lappeenranta houses a large bakery and a confectionery factory, where Fazer’s sweets such as salty liquorice, candies, marmalade, and xylitol products are manufactured
- In addition, Fazer has 139 shop bakeries, 24 Fazer Cafés, and 13 Gateau bakery shops in Finland
Background to Fazer’s Factory Project
For further information:
Joséphine Mickwitz, EVP, Communications and Sustainability, Fazer Group,
Tel. +358 400 784889, josephine.mickwitz@fazer.com
Fazer’s media phone serves Mon-Fri 8-16, tel. +358 40 668 2998
Fazer Group
Fazer, with its focus on food experiences, enables people to enjoy the best moments of their day. Our mission, Food with a Purpose, builds on our unique heritage of over 130 years, deep consumer insights, and innovations to create sustainable food solutions for the future. With our approximately 5,000 dedicated employees, we focus on consumer products, our direct-to-consumer business in Northern Europe, and exports to more than 40 countries. Our operations follow Fazer’s Code of Conduct, which is based on the Group’s values and the UN Global Compact initiative. Fazer Group’s turnover in 2024 amounted to EUR 1.2 billion.
Northern Magic. Made Real.
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