The Northern Area marks the beginning of the ambitious expansion of Raufoss Industrial Park. With 100,000 square meters of new industrial facilities and a 40% increase in the park’s existing building capacity, the expansion will facilitate continued growth and reinforce the park’s position as a key industrial cluster in Norway.

Vegard Sande (left), Managing Director of Nammo Raufoss, and State Secretary Hans Christian Hveem Kjølseth laying the foundation stone for Nammo’s new factory.

Nammo marked a milestone in the development of Raufoss Industrial Park by laying the foundation stone for its new factory in the Northern Area. This initiative is part of a long-term strategy to meet the growing global demand for artillery ammunition and rocket motors.

State Secretary Hans Christian Hveem Kjølseth emphasized the project's significance:

– After decades of peace, Europe has entered a new era. The dramatic increase in artillery ammunition production is crucial for Ukraine's defense and its fight for freedom.

The new factory, scheduled for completion by 2026, will cover an area of approximately 11,000 square meters. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology for producing 155 mm artillery shells.

Additionally, Vegard Sande of Nammo Raufoss presented ambitious plans for energy utilization:

– Our goal is to supply the entire town of Raufoss with surplus heat from the northern part of the industrial park. The industry is investing significantly in resource reuse, including the surplus heat generated.

The new factory will create a substantial number of jobs. Nammo has previously indicated plans to create up to 700 new positions in the coming years. In addition to the ammunition factory, Nammo has received approval from the Ministry of Defence for NOK 500 million to establish a new production line for rocket motors.

The new factory is essential for increasing Nammo's ammunition production capacity in Europe.

The Northern Area
The development of the Northern Area includes preparing plots and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewage systems, district heating, compressed air, electrical supply, and fiber connectivity, at an estimated cost of approximately NOK 170 million. Nammo is the first of several companies planning to establish operations in the new area, with additional tenants anticipated shortly.

Øivind Hansebråten of Raufoss Industrial Park emphasizes the goal of creating a forward-thinking industrial park capable of offering green solutions. The expansion represents a significant investment in sustainable industrial development, strengthening the park's position as a leading player in Norwegian industry.

– With cutting-edge facilities for industrial production and a focus on green solutions, the industrial park aims to foster continued growth and regional development, says Hansebråten.

– The companies within Raufoss Industrial Park are critically important—not only for Norway and the global community, as demonstrated by Nammo—but also for securing the export revenues that Norway will depend on in the coming years, he concludes.