Tako paper mill’s iconic silos begin demolition in Tampere city centre

The skyline of Tampere’s central district is changing as the dismantling of the Tako paper mill’s large red silos has begun, public broadcaster Yle reports. The historic factory site, now up for sale, was shut down last year after nearly 160 years of operation.

The silos, primarily built in 1994 with one added in 2005, were used in cardboard production. Their removal from the Laukontori side of the factory will restore the building’s original façade, according to Marjo Halonen, communications director at Metsä Board, the mill’s owner. “These were later additions, so the exterior will return to its initial appearance,” Halonen said.

Demolition crews began breaking down the structures on Wednesday, cutting them into smaller sections for recycling. Similar tanks were removed from the inner courtyard and northern part of the site two months ago, along with overhead walkways. Halonen emphasised that no permanent walls of the factory are being torn down and that all work complies with approved permits.

Equipment removal will continue through the summer, with the factory’s chimney currently undergoing structural assessments to determine necessary repairs. Metsä Board has not disclosed details about the ongoing sale of the roughly two-hectare site, though Halonen confirmed discussions with potential buyers are underway. “Progress updates will be announced as decisions and agreements are finalised,” she stated.

The Tako mill, located along the Tammerkoski rapids, was the last operating factory in Tampere’s city centre and a rarity in Finland due to its compact urban location. Founded in 1865 as a wood-processing plant by Fredrick Idestam, it marked the beginning of Finland’s forest industry.