Battery giant Northvolt’s bankruptcy application is a “nightmare message”, says Lorents Burman, chairman of the municipal council in Skellefteå.
“The government must be ready to act,” he says at a press conference.
During Wednesday morning, the battery giant Northvolt filed a bankruptcy application to Stockholm District Court.
Skellefteå Municipality, the County Administrative Board in Västerbotten and Region Västerbotten now holds a joint press conference after the message.
– It is an extremely heavy news and a nightmare message, for Skellefteå and the county, but also for Sweden and the whole of Europe, says Lorents Chairman Burman (S) during the press conference.
– We have 3000 people affected, they all feel a great concern, he continues, saying that the bankruptcy is probably the largest in Swedish history.
“The government has crucial responsibility”
He says the government has a great responsibility to act after the bankruptcy notice.
– The government has a decisive responsibility and must be ready to act based on the expectations that exist, both in Skellefteå and in Sweden, he says, and believes that it is a “time -critical period” in the future.
– It is crucial for Sweden’s opportunities for the future and for Europe to resist global competition that is great in the world.
“Location to act”
Governor Helene Hellmark Knutsson says that it is now hoped for a positive message, where production can continue with new owners and new capital.
– In order for this to be possible, all forces must be inserted now, it is not a wait and SE mode, but a position to activate and act. It needs to be done quickly and from national level, she says.
When asked if there are stakeholders who may be ready to take over production, Burman says that there are investors who have expressed interest in taking over the company.
– What we know is that there is a great interest in investors, but it is a complicated story.