Fazer Announces EUR 400M Investment In Next-Generation Chocolate Factory In Lahti, Finland
Finnish food manufacturer Fazer Group has announced its largest capital investment to date, committing approximately €400 million to the construction of a new chocolate manufacturing facility in Lahti, Finland. The project underscores Fazer’s long-term growth strategy and its intent to scale both domestic production and international operations.
Construction will begin in summer 2025, with completion targeted for 2028.
Fazer is currently the market leader in Finland’s chocolate confectionery market according to Linium Intelligence data and and leads in several high-volume segments, including, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate, as well as in the bar, box, and bag packaging formats.
The new facility is expected to strengthen this position by increasing production capacity, enabling further market penetration, and supporting the company’s export growth strategy. Fazer products already account for 15% of Finland’s food exports, a share expected to rise as the company scales international distribution.
The 33,300 square meter facility will integrate advanced production systems, including high levels of automation, electrification, and energy recycling. Designed to operate with zero CO₂ emissions from its own energy consumption, the plant will also pursue BREEAM environmental certification, reflecting Fazer’s broader sustainability objectives.
As demand for sustainable and health-conscious products grows, the new factory will support innovation in emerging categories such as organic and vegan chocolate. While these segments currently represent a modest share of the overall market according to Linium Intelligence data, they are gaining traction and align with evolving consumer preferences across Europe and beyond.
The construction phase is expected to generate approximately 500,000 working hours, creating employment opportunities across engineering, construction, and industrial technology roles. While Lahti will become the company’s primary chocolate production site, operations will partially continue at the existing Vantaa facility.
The investment marks a critical step in Fazer’s transformation into a more agile, scalable, and export-ready confectionery business, reinforcing its leadership in the Nordic region while positioning it for long-term global growth.