A better and fairer future has always been close to our heart at Castrén & Snellman. During our long history, we have provided advice in socially important, ground-breaking cases and created opportunities for growth for promising young influencers.
31.5.2024
The success stories of the future are written by the new generation – scholarship recipients are now chosen
In the spring of 2023, we awarded scholarships to distinguished students to celebrate our 135th anniversary. The scholarships were awarded to students who had used their voice and given their all for a better future. Those who prioritise community over self and who not only dream but also take action. We wish to continue supporting those who will build our future and will award two students in higher education with a scholarship of EUR 1,000.
We are happy to announce that the scholarships were awarded to these distinguished students:
Jotham Berhanu, law studies, University of Lapland
Thomas Joutsikoski, economics and business administration, sustainable business management, University of Tampere
Our warmest congratulations to all the scholarship recipients! You really deserve this recognition.
The scholarship recipients were chosen by a scholarship panel including Castrén & Snellman’s Managing Partner Sakari Lukinmaa, HR Director Outi Ruohola and influencer Kaarina Harkonmäki, who acts as a UNESCO youth delegate during the period 2024–2025. The panel processed all applications anonymously.
‘I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the students who applied for the Scholarship for the Future. We also want to thank all the referees. The applications were meticulously and carefully prepared and showed the applicants’ will and determination to change the world for the better. Many applicants had a strong track record of making a difference in something close to their heart from a young age as well as convincing plans and goals for the future. It’s wonderful that we get to award the people behind the success stories of the future with scholarships. Even though we can’t reward every applicant with a scholarship, every single contribution for a better future deserves encouragement and thanks,’ says HR Director Outi Ruohola.
The scholarship applications made a great impression on the panel, and it considered various aspects in making its decisions. The applicants have made a difference in student organisations and politics as well as in other areas of life. Important themes included the wellbeing of students, children and young people, animal rights and nature conservation, combatting climate change, equality, justice, security, financial skills of young people and economic inequality among young people. A common characteristic of the applicants was giving their all for a better future.
Latest news
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