Anna Bergvall from Wibax, along with her colleagues, presented the company's future plans for a new facility in Skelleftehamn.
Inside the Folkets Hus in Skelleftehamn, the atmosphere is charged with frustration. Participants with sceptical faces and crossed arms listen closely to Anna Bergvall, head of quality, safety and environment at Wibax.
Bergvall, accompanied by her colleagues, is trying to explain the company's intentions to build a state-of-the-art chemicals plant in the region. However, her attempts to address the audience are promptly interrupted by Martin Eriksson, a vocal attendee, who remarks:
– I hope you will keep this presentation short; many of us have many questions.
Bergvall assures the audience that there will be time for questions afterwards, and proceeds to explain the plans. The proposal is to build a factory in Näsudden to produce chemicals essential for water treatment, with the potential to create about fifty jobs, and to be operational by 2027, pending approval.
CEO Markus Holmlund takes the floor to talk about the company's track record and the merits of the proposed project. Eriksson interjects again:
– Excuse me, I have to refer back to what I said before; this is indeed interesting, but most of us are not here to hear this part.
Holmlund agrees and opts for brevity. The proposed operation is to produce chemicals for the purification of drinking water and waste water, including sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and various other substances. While the production process results in the formation of chlorine gas and hydrogen gas, Wibax asserts that neither gas will be stored, but will be used immediately.
Many residents of Skelleftehamn participated in the consultation meeting at Folkets hus.
– But most people think it's completely absurd! An echo of agreement ripples through the crowd.
Wibax insists that the facility poses no cause for concern. They argue that the current global situation, with warnings of potential crises, underscores the necessity for a country to be self-sufficient. They contend that their proposed factory can contribute to this resilience, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an illustrative example.
However, there are inherent risks in handling chlorine gas. In a worst-case scenario where gas is released, there are potential health hazards to the general public.
Markus Holmlund from Wibax argues that there is nothing to worry about regarding the factory.
Prolonged exposure of more than ten minutes carries the risk of permanent injury.
The Skelleftehamn residents at the meeting remain adamant in their opposition and consider the proposed plant to be an ill-conceived idea. Wibax personnel maintain their confidence, stating, "We feel safe," while dissenting voices from the audience proclaim, "We don't."
Vissa risker med hanteringen av klorgas presenterades id samrådsmötet.
Wibax claims that the billion kronor investment in Skelleftehamn will strengthen Sweden's water treatment capacity and create jobs. However, it is clear that many Skelleftehamn residents are vehemently opposed to what they call a "poison factory".
Many also express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of substantive answers during the meeting.