PORI, Finland — The United States has provided $20 million in financial support for a new TNT (trinitrotoluene) production facility being built in Noormarkku, Pori, on Finland’s west coast.
A cornerstone ceremony was held on September 15, 2026, for the facility, which is being developed and will be operated by Finnish explosives manufacturer Oy Forcit Ab.
The plant is being built to increase TNT production capacity in Europe and supply the needs of Finland and NATO, while also supporting Finland’s long-term assistance to Ukraine. TNT is used in artillery and mortar ammunition and other military applications.
€200 Million Project
The total investment in the project is estimated at around €200 million. Construction began in summer 2026 after the City of Pori issued the first-phase building permits. Work started with fencing an approximately 50-hectare site, while foundation work for the first buildings is now under way.
Production is planned to begin in 2028, and the project remains on schedule. The facility is expected to create about 70 jobs. Forcit has already started recruiting for key positions, with broader recruitment planned for 2027.
Once operational, the facility will become the second large-scale TNT production plant in the European Union, alongside an existing plant in Poland.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the facility was being built to meet the critical needs of Finland and NATO.
“Strengthening our defence industrial base contributes to our overall defence and creates jobs as well as prosperity,” Häkkänen said.
He added that Finland has discussed possible participation in the project with other allied countries and described the US contribution as “yet another demonstration of the deep defence cooperation between our countries.”
Long-Term TNT Supply
The Finnish Defence Forces have signed a procurement agreement with Forcit covering TNT supplies for 2028–2037. Earlier estimates placed the value of the procurement, excluding VAT, at around €189 million to €255 million, depending on the procurement requirements.
Forcit CEO Joakim Westerlund said the facility would strengthen Finland’s national security of supply and the capability of its defence industry amid increased demand for explosives across Europe.
The project was initially announced by the Finnish Ministry of Defence in January 2025. Forcit is responsible for both the investment and future operation of the facility.
The plant is located approximately 15–20 kilometres from central Pori. Additional approvals, including environmental and chemical-safety permits, remain in process.
At the September 15 cornerstone ceremony, a time capsule containing a charter document, newspapers from the day, a guest list and current coins was placed in the foundation stone. Speakers included Employment Minister Matias Marttinen, Pori Mayor Lauri Inna and Forcit CEO Joakim Westerlund.
The Pori facility is intended to expand European explosives production capacity and provide a more secure long-term TNT supply for Finland, NATO and Ukraine.
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