Okmetic – Factory expansion

Louhintahiekka carred out earthworks for the silicon wafer manufacturer Okmetic’s new factory in the Capital Area. The work was part of Okmetic’s nearly 400-million-euro investment, which involved constructing a new factory on the site next to the old one, effectively doubling production capacity.

Louhintahiekka’s work started in November 2022 and the project was handed over to the client on schedule in December 2024. The scope of work included cutting and grading the yard area, installing pipework, executing both interior and exterior backfilling, and building the yard structures.

“Right at the start of the project, we discovered old construction waste in the area. We screened the masses on-site and sorted the waste to ensure disposal was as sustainable—and as cost-effective for the client—as possible. On-site mass screening is a core expertise of Louhintahiekka, and we are committed to tackling our clients’ challenges fearlessly and resourcefully,” says Project Manager Mikko Korhonen.

According to Korhonen, other challenges included the small size of the yard, which required flexibility and careful coordination of work phases, and that the adjacent silicon wafer factory remained in operation throughout the project.

“Due to the nearby wafer factory, no vibration of any kind was allowed for safety reasons. Therefore, rather than blasting, we wedged the rock in the yard area.

After completing the substructure for the factory site, Louhintahiekka also carried out the surface construction and landscaping of the yard area, as a separate order. This included planting approximately 5,000 trees, shrubs, and perennials.

“We succeeded in fulfilling the client’s wishes and stayed on schedule despite several surprises. The fact that the client expanded our scope of work during the project speaks volumes about their satisfaction,” Korhonen summarizes