In recent years, Purso has made significant investments in the green transition and the modernisation of its production operations. The renewal of the remelt plant in Ikaalinen, upgrades to the extrusion line, automation solutions in packaging, and a new logistics terminal together form a comprehensive development programme that aims at increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and responding even better to growing future demand.
These investments directly support Purso’s goal of halving the carbon footprint of its operations by 2030. One of the most significant investments was the new twin-chamber melting furnace at the Ikaalinen remelt plant, commissioned in August 2025.
“The remelt plant upgrade enables us to utilise scrap aluminium more extensively than before, increasing both production capacity and the availability of Greenline recycled aluminium,” says Production Director Jouni Kukkonen.
More than half of all aluminium products sold by Purso are already manufactured from Greenline recycled aluminium, and the new melting furnace has enabled further growth in production as demand continues to increase. The twin-chamber furnace allows preheating and melting of recycled aluminium simultaneously, making the process more efficient and continuous than before. Melting operations can now continue uninterrupted, eliminating the production breaks previously caused by casting.
Purso has also developed its production operations on the P3 extrusion line, where investments focused particularly on the billet furnace and its supporting equipment. The upgrade became necessary as the original equipment was approaching the end of its technical service life.
“Our goal was to improve production quality, energy efficiency and operational reliability. This ensures competitive and low-emission production well into the future”, explains Technical Director Toni Rantanen (pictured).
The most significant technical improvement was the transition to a fully electric billet furnace (pictured), whose energy consumption is nearly 50% lower than that of the previous solution. At the same time, the billet cutting equipment was modernised by replacing the hot shear with a sawing system. These changes improve cut quality, dimensional accuracy, and the quality of the finished aluminium profiles. In addition, upgrades to the production saw area and profile stacker area enhance the line’s reliability, maintainability and occupational safety.
Purso’s new automated conveyor system and rack-to-rack packaging unit automate rack handling and improve the efficiency of daily packaging operations.
“Automated packaging has reduced manual work and repetitive tasks, making daily operations in the packaging department faster and smoother,” Kukkonen describes.
To further develop production and material flows, Purso built a new logistics terminal in Siuro, completed in early 2025. The terminal connects the extrusion plant, logistics operations, powder coating plant and anodising plant, while also providing additional space for intermediate storage and loading activities. As a result, profiles no longer need to be transported outdoors between departments, improving both material flow and logistics efficiency.
“The new logistics terminal supports future growth and increases operational efficiency. At the same time, unnecessary material handling has been reduced, which has also improved occupational safety,” says Kukkonen.
According to Chief Financial Officer Timo Suuriniemi, sustainability has been a key factor in investment decisions and will remain so in the future. Investments are viewed as an essential part of ensuring Purso’s competitiveness and sustainable growth.
“It is clear that operational capabilities must continue to be developed in order to maintain competitiveness in Europe,” Suuriniemi states.
The most significant technical improvement was the transition to a fully electric billet furnace, whose energy consumption is nearly 50% lower than that of the previous solution. At the same time, the billet cutting equipment was modernised by replacing the hot shear with a sawing system. These changes improve cut quality, dimensional accuracy and, ultimately, the quality of finished profiles. In addition, upgrades to the production saw area and profile stacker area enhance the line’s reliability, maintainability and occupational safety.
Purso has received funding from the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme for the electrification of its billet furnace, waste heat recovery and heat pump systems, as well as solar power and energy storage systems.