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District Heating Provides the Energy NCE Needs to Grow
Imagine the logistical challenge of installing 1.2 kilometres of district heating pipes between eight production halls at Nordic Composite Engineering’s factory site in Jakobstad. The summer of 2025 was undoubtedly a busy one as district heating was installed throughout the facility, but the cooperation with Herrfors ran smoothly from start to finish. NCE is pleased to have its own connection line, enabling new energy-intensive investments and future growth.
Nordpipe Composite Engineering Oy designs, manufactures and installs composite solutions for industries operating in environments with corrosion and high pressure. In such applications, metal materials are replaced by chemically resistant composites, for example in flue gas cleaning systems used in waste incineration plants. At NCE’s production site in Borgmästargrundet, Jakobstad, pipes, tanks and complete piping systems are manufactured primarily for Nordic industrial customers, but also for projects around the world. Products are manufactured as far as possible in NCE’s own factories in Jakobstad and Imatra before being transported and installed at customer sites. Smart turnkey solutions and exceptional customer service are among NCE’s key strengths.
Previously, NCE had limited access to district heating through a connection originally built for another industrial operation in the area. As the company expanded and new production halls were added, the simplest solution was to install a separate oil boiler in each hall.
– The situation gradually became unsustainable, not only because of rising oil prices but mainly because we run highly energy-intensive projects. We will now be able to carry out the final curing of our products using district heating, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of our products. That is increasingly important for today’s industrial customers, says Mats Käld, Product Developer at NCE.
Full Production Despite Excavated Transport Routes Between the Halls
In 2024, NCE decided to build its own district heating network across the factory site, distributing heat to the various production halls. To make this possible, Herrfors constructed a new connection line from the district heating pipeline to Borgmästargrundet, originally built in 2017. The transition to district heating was implemented in two stages rather than all at once.
EHQS Manager Markus Niemi and Product Developer Mats Käld at Nordic Composite Engineering’s factory site in Jakobstad. Large pipes and tanks are designed and manufactured here, with production divided across eight halls. Keeping production running during the summer of 2025 was challenging while trenches for the district heating pipes were excavated throughout the site.
– Our role was mainly to coordinate production so that raw materials could still be delivered and finished products shipped, even though large parts of the site were excavated. It was a challenge because different stages of production take place in different halls, meaning large and heavy products must constantly be moved around the site, says Markus Niemi, EHQS Manager.
NCE previously had only limited access to district heating. In 2024, the company decided to invest in its own district heating network to distribute heat to all eight production halls. To make this possible, Herrfors built a new connection line to the factory site.
Markus Niemi is responsible for quality, environmental issues, occupational safety and occupational health. Since NCE processes raw resin, fiberglass and various chemicals, efficient ventilation in the production halls is crucial.
– At the same time as the district heating project, we upgraded the ventilation systems in two halls where increased air exchange was needed. Our energy consumption is high, and according to Herrfors’ calculations, the payback period for the district heating investment could be as short as three years, says Niemi.
Reliable District Heating from a Reliable Supplier
Markus Niemi is also responsible for electricity procurement for the site. As a major electricity customer, NCE is regularly approached by various energy companies, but the company values local partnerships and is satisfied with Herrfors as a supplier. Herrfors’ commitment extended well beyond the connection point. The company also helped arrange temporary bridges and coordinated the work with subcontractor Ravcon, which designed the internal heat distribution system and installed heat exchangers in all production halls.
– Already in January and February 2026, we could see that district heating costs were lower than oil costs, so the savings will be significant. At the same time, we are substantially reducing our environmental footprint, which is becoming increasingly important to our customers. In addition, district heating is a highly reliable solution. We are no longer dependent on continuous oil deliveries to keep production running, says Niemi.
The maintenance of eight separate oil boilers is now a thing of the past.
– We no longer have the constant flow of oil delivery trucks to the site. During the winter, trucks arrived every two weeks to refill the tanks, but all of that traffic has disappeared. We no longer need to think about boiler maintenance or fuel orders. District heating is an exceptionally simple and convenient solution, concludes Mats Käld.
Product Developer Mats Käld at NCE’s new district heating main station. The maintenance of eight oil boilers is now history, and no fuel orders are needed anymore. The factory site has also been freed from the constant traffic of oil delivery trucks.
Connect Your Property to the District Heating Network!
If your property is located near Herrfors’ district heating network in Jakobstad or Ylivieska, there is a good chance it can be connected.
When you choose a turnkey delivery from Herrfors, the district heating connection and all required equipment are supplied and installed ready for use. Outdoor work typically takes about one week, while installation work inside the property can usually be completed within 1–2 days. District heating installations are carried out before and after the winter season.
“We also have an electrical company here that wants it a bit warmer in the office space, and that’s no problem since every tenant has their own meter and thermostat. The tenants appreciate that district heating is affordable, and for the landlord, it’s also important that district heating is reliable and maintenance-free,” says Andreas Rönnqvist.
District Heating Is Simple and Reliable in Later Years
“There are no moving parts in a district heating unit—the circulation pump is really the only thing that could break. With an air-to-water heat pump or ground source heating, there’s more technology involved, which means more complicated maintenance. If something were to go wrong with district heating, I can call a 24-hour service number where…
Renewable District Heating Significantly Reduced Emissions
”Kontrasti on selkeä. Olemme siirtyneet saastuttavasta lämmitysmuodosta täysin päästöttömään kaukolämpöön. Päästöjen suhteen on tapahtunut paljon muutamassa vuosikymmenessä”
