LKAB chooses Luleå for circular industrial park

In the new industrial park, by-products from iron ore mining will be extracted through fossil-free processes. With the production in the industrial park, LKAB can increase Europe's self-sufficiency in phosphorus, and rare earth metals needed for sustainable agriculture and the green transition. Phosphorus is used in the production of mineral fertiliser.

In a first step, apatite concentrate will be extracted in Kiruna and Gällivare/Malmberget. It will then be transported by rail to the industrial park in Luleå, where the apatite concentrate will be dissolved and phosphorus, earth metals and fluorine can be extracted. In addition, gypsum equivalent to Sweden's entire needs is obtained as a by-product. The project is called ReeMAP, where Ree stands for rare earth elements and MAP is phosphorus-based mineral fertiliser.

When the plans were first presented, several locations were considered for the establishment, including Skellefteå, Helsingborg and Narvik in Norway, in addition to Luleå.

"We have assessed several locations in Sweden and Norway for the site of the circular industrial park. Luleå has good logistics, sufficient land, electricity, lower costs, a good labour market and housing and, not least, synergies with our existing operations. We are now initiating consultation and inviting the public and important stakeholders to meetings in preparation for our coming permit applications", says Leif Boström, Director of the Special Products Business Area at LKAB.

For Luleå, LKAB's planned industrial park is an important development for the local business community. It will create a completely new industrial cluster in chemical technology. And it will mean major investments and new jobs in the municipality. 

"Fantastic news! LKAB's investment means many new jobs in an exciting future industry and that we can further strengthen Luleå as a hub for the green transition," says Carina Sammeli, Chair of the City Council.

In February, a land allocation agreement was finalised with Luleå Municipality, giving LKAB the opportunity to purchase 120 hectares on Svartön to establish an industrial park.

The plant will be operational by 2027. The investment will amount to up to SEK 10 billion and could create more than 500 new jobs.

The ReeMAP project also includes a pilot plant in Malmfälten to produce apatite concentrate from mine waste.