Forcit seeks environmental permit for Pori TNT plant

Finnish explosives manufacturer Forcit has submitted an environmental permit application to the Finnish Regional State Administrative Agency for a planned TNT production facility in Noormarkku, Pori, Yle reports.

The application includes a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts during both the construction and operation of the plant. The project has already applied for a placement permit under the Construction Act for a production facility critical to national defence, as well as a chemical safety permit from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).

According to Forcit, the Noormarkku plant will use modern production and purification methods to ensure safety for workers and the surrounding environment. The company states that air emissions from the explosives factory will be minimal.

While the facility is considered small to medium-sized for the chemical industry, the safety distances required for explosives production make the area large. CEO Joakim Westerlund noted that the financial value of the investment may make the plant seem more substantial than it will be in reality.

A significant portion of the investment will go toward purification technology and closed-loop chemical systems.

Extensive environmental surveys conducted last year found the area to be typical young commercial forest with no protected species such as flying squirrels or moor frogs. Archaeological studies revealed a protected charcoal pit near the site, which will remain outside Forcit’s fenced area.

The future plant will not be located on a groundwater area. Wastewater will be treated at a municipal wastewater treatment plant, while stormwater will be directed through stormwater ponds to nearby streams. The stormwater is not expected to be polluted.

Noise modelling indicates that noise guideline values in nearby areas will not be exceeded, with normal operations contributing an additional 0–2 decibels to the surrounding area.