23.12.2024

Growth ahead

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.

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.

Latest references

We advised Nordea Bank Abp in the EUR 150 million new green financing for Lahti Energia Oy to support investments promoting a clean transition and to refinance existing loans. Lahti Energia Oy’s green loan investments focus on solutions that reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions and support sustainable development. Planned projects include electric boilers, district heating storage facilities, and investments in the development of energy networks.
Case published 1.7.2025
We advised Netel Group, a Nasdaq Stockholm-listed contracting company, on the sale of its Finnish operations, Netel Oy, to a group of private investors. The divestment forms part of Netel Group’s strategic realignment. In January 2025, Netel Group announced its decision to exit the Finnish market in order to concentrate on its core markets in Sweden and Norway and growth markets in Germany and the UK. Netel Group is a leading provider of services in the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure within Infraservices, Power and Telecom across Northern Europe. The company has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 2021.
Case published 1.7.2025
We advised Glaston Corporation on its reverse share split, i.e. in the reduction of its total outstanding shares so that each two shares of the company were merged into one share. The shares of Glaston have been listed into the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Glaston is the glass processing industry’s innovative technology leader supplying equipment, services and solutions to the architectural, mobility, display and solar industries. The company also supports the development of new technologies integrating intelligence to glass.
Case published 27.6.2025
We advised OP-Public Services Real Estate Fund in the sale of a portfolio of six care properties to Aedifica group, a Belgian real estate company specialised in European healthcare real estate, particularly in elderly care. The care properties in this portfolio are located across Finland in Helsinki, Tampere, Kuopio, Tuusula and Kirkkonummi. The portfolio has a total capacity for 233 residents. Aedifica group acquired 100% of the shares of the six real estate companies that own the properties. The total value of the transaction is approximately EUR 37.5 million.
Case published 26.6.2025