As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to reflect and look ahead. As always, the New Year brings with it a wealth of opportunities, inspiring hope and enthusiasm. Yet, we must also acknowledge the severe uncertainties and risks that lie ahead. Now, more than ever, we in Finland and in Europe need a long-term vision for the future.
23.12.2024
Growth ahead
Sakari Lukinmaa
Our enduring strengths – our skills, creativity, our strong work ethic, and our belief in shaping our own destiny – remain intact. However, these qualities often go unspoken, overshadowed by polarisation and individual interests.
There are still many reasons for optimism. The green transition, the digital transformation and AI offer growth opportunities for Europe, but we must seize them instead of waiting for them to be handed to us. Europe must find a way to come together, be competitive and have a strong voice on global stage.
The recent Slush event, a start-up festival held in the dark and chilly days of November in Helsinki, showcased a remarkable gathering of investors and promising growth companies from all over the world. The willingness to take risks and work hard was palpable. If this doesn’t inspire confidence in the future, what will?
Looking ahead, we are seeing some promising signs of economic growth and the interest rates are expected to continue to decline. This environment should encourage more companies to take risks and invest. We need new success stories to cherish. At Castrén & Snellman, we are committed to rolling up our sleeves and helping our clients grow and succeed in 2025.
Wishing our clients, business partners, and staff a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous 2025 filled with courage and success.
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Latest references
Lenders and Export Credit Agencies – EUR 514.4 million green project financing for Easpring Finland New Materials’ CAM plant
We acted as Finnish law legal adviser to the lenders and the export credit agencies in connection with the EUR 514.4 million green project financing for the development and construction of Easpring Finland New Materials Oy’s cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing plant in Kotka, Finland. The borrower, Easpring Finland New Materials Oy, is a joint venture owned by Beijing Easpring Material Technology, Finnish Minerals Group and LG Energy Solution. The financing was provided by six international commercial banks, with Société Générale acting as financial adviser and mandated lead arranger together with Natixis as co-mandated lead arranger, and DNB, ICBC, ING and Standard Chartered participating as lenders, with support from the export credit agencies Finnvera and Sinosure. The project represents a significant milestone for Finland and the European battery value chain by strengthening Europe’s domestic supply of cathode active materials, a key component in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage applications. Once the first phase of the project is operational, the Kotka facility is expected to produce approximately 60,000 tonnes of cathode active material annually, making it one of the largest CAM production plants in Europe and supplying leading battery manufacturers across Europe.
Case published 21.7.2026
Delta Capacity – Acquisition of BESS Project
We acted as Finnish legal advisor to Delta Capacity in connection with its acquisition of the ready-to-build Karppio battery energy storage system (BESS) project from Helios Nordic Energy. The acquisition was made and the project will be implemented together with Strioga Family Foundation. The Karppio BESS project is located in Teuva, Finland, and has a capacity of 125 MW / 300 MWh. Delta Capacity will lead the remaining development of the project through to commissioning, planned for 2027, and will serve as long-term asset manager. Delta Capacity is a Swiss-based developer of utility scale battery storage systems. The acquisition adds to Delta Capacity’s growing Nordic portfolio.
Case published 20.7.2026
Swedbank – Refinancing of Trophi’s Finnish retail real estate portfolio
We advised Swedbank AB (publ) on the refinancing of a large Finnish retail real estate portfolio owned by Trophi’s Finnish subsidiaries. Trophi is the leading Nordic real estate company focusing on grocery anchored retail properties, with 278 properties across Sweden and Finland. Finland is a market that continues to develop and is also strategically important for Trophi, accounting for approximately 30% of Trophi’s letting and property value.
Case published 17.7.2026
HANZA – Acquisition of Fortaco Finland’s heavy mechanics and assembly business
We are acting as Finnish legal advisor to HANZA in connection with its acquisition of Fortaco Finland’s heavy mechanics and assembly business. The transaction is structured as a combined asset and share acquisition and includes Fortaco Finland’s heavy mechanics and assembly operations in Finland, as well as shares in two Estonian and two Polish subsidiaries. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Founded in 2008, HANZA is a Swedish mechanical engineering and electronics contract manufacturing company listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm main list. HANZA has approximately 5,000 employees and annual sales of SEK 10 billion. We advise HANZA on this transaction in collaboration with the Swedish law firm Lindahl.
Case published 15.7.2026