“We wanted to safeguard the ecological value of our forest for the future. Protecting this area was a concrete way for us to preserve biodiversity,” says Anssi Puruskainen, Environmental Manager at Ovako Imatra.
The same property is also home to Ovako’s lakeside retreat for employees, with lakeside saunas and a main building. The retreat and its car park remain outside the protected area.
The forest contains old birch, aspen and spruce trees, as well as small-leaved lime. Deadwood and standing dead trees with nesting cavities are also abundant. The undergrowth includes lush ferns and woodland plants such as baneberry and lesser butterfly orchid.
“Protection allows the forest to develop naturally. Together with the neighbouring reserve, it forms a larger protected area that provides space for a wide variety of species to thrive,” Puruskainen explains.
Ovako assessed the area’s ecological value in cooperation with the Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland. The Centre’s decision to establish the nature reserve took effect on 26 October 2026.
The protection rules prohibit logging and other forest management activities, as well as the construction of new buildings, roads or paths. Picking berries and edible mushrooms is, however, permitted.
Further information:
Anssi Puruskainen
Environmental Manager, Ovako Imatra
anssi.puruskainen@ovako.com
Tel. +358 40 587 2315
Ovako is a leading producer of clean, high-quality engineering steel for the bearing, transport, and manufacturing industries. Made from 97% recycled material, our steel enables strong and lightweight solutions with a world leading low carbon footprint. With about 2,500 employees and sales of 900 MEUR, Ovako operates in over 30 countries. The company is part of Nippon Steel Corporation, one of the world’s largest steel producers. Our purpose: Together we create steel for a decarbonized society.
