Boliden has completed a significant expansion at its Odda zinc smelter in Norway, nearly doubling production capacity in what is one of the largest industrial investments on Norway’s mainland. The upgraded facility now has the capacity to produce 350,000 tonnes of zinc annually, up from 200,000 tonnes.
The investment includes new infrastructure for logistics and energy, as well as the construction of a new roasting furnace, a sulfuric acid plant, and a modernized cellhouse. Additionally, expansions to the leaching and cleaning plant and foundry will improve efficiency and metal recovery, reducing waste from the raw material.
Zinc is widely used in rust protection for steel structures, with applications in the construction and automotive industries. The energy sector is also a growing consumer, as zinc is used in wind turbines and other infrastructure exposed to corrosion. Additionally, zinc is used in fertilizer to address deficiencies in agricultural soils, contributing to improved food production.
The expansion establishes Boliden Odda as Europe’s second-largest zinc smelter and the most productive globally, with an output of 1,000 tonnes of cast zinc per full-time employee each year.
