Lemvig mayor eyes ammunition plant for former Cheminova site

Lemvig Mayor Jens Lønberg is exploring the possibility of establishing an ammunition factory or another defence industry at the former Cheminova site, DR reports. The chemical plant, now operated as FMC Rønland, is due to close around the turn of the year, leaving about 400 people without jobs.

The site has already been renamed Industripark Rønland at Lemvig City Hall, and the entire municipal council has authorised the mayor to investigate new opportunities.

Lønberg said the location has a three-kilometre distance to the nearest homes and a workforce trained to handle hazardous substances. He said the employees also have a high level of safety expertise.

The mayor said he had initially held back because weapons production is a controversial issue. However, he said he had since received suggestions from employees at the plant and other local residents supporting the idea.

Senior researcher Kim Haugbølle of Aalborg University’s Department of the Built Environment also identified ammunition production as a possible future use for the site. Unlike a new wind farm or a large data centre, he said, ammunition production would create jobs.

Haugbølle said maintaining employment was crucial for any part of Denmark, as a lack of jobs could lead to more people, particularly younger residents, moving away.

Lønberg said replacing the factory with four wind turbines would be his “worst nightmare” because local workers could gradually move to other municipalities. He said the closure would be a difficult challenge, but also a unique opportunity to create something new.

He pointed to the government’s increased defence spending and said he hoped the municipality would receive help establishing any new industry. He also said the war in Ukraine made him feel the proposal was morally justified, even though he acknowledged that a mayor would not normally want such an industry in the municipality.