Sekab was founded in 1985, but our industrial roots go back much further. At the site now known as High Coast Innovation Park, ethanol and chemicals have been produced for more than a century. The knowledge, infrastructure and experience developed here are an important part of what Sekab is today.
Much has changed since industrial ethanol production first began in the area in 1909. Over the years, products, markets and operations have evolved. Here are some of the milestones that have shaped Sekab and led to the company we are today.
The first drops of ethanol are produced industrially from sulphite liquor in the Örnsköldsvik area. This marks the beginning of the expertise in ethanol and industrial chemistry that would much later become part of Sekab’s operations.
Ethanol production in Domsjö gains momentum during the 1940s and the organic chemical industry develops. Ethanol from the sulphite process becomes a raw material for chemicals, building industrial expertise in the area that continues to shape operations today.
Sekab is founded. Acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate are part of the business from the start, and securing the supply of chemicals in Sweden is an important part of the background. This marks the beginning of Sekab’s history as a company.
Sekab begins selling and distributing ethyl acetate on the European market. This is an important step from a business with strong local roots towards the European chemical market where Sekab operates today.
Bio-based acetaldehyde is launched, marking an important step in the transformation of the product portfolio. The focus increasingly shifts towards chemicals based on renewable raw materials.
Sekab invests SEK 100 million to increase production capacity for chemicals from renewable raw materials. The investment strengthens Sekab’s ability to meet growing European demand for fossil-free alternatives.
Sekab celebrates 40 years as a company. Today, our operations build on more than a century of chemical industry in Örnsköldsvik, with a focus on bio-based chemicals for the European market and continued development towards a fossil-free chemical industry.
Sekab continues to develop the chemical industry, building on the expertise and infrastructure established here over more than a century. Today, our focus is on bio-based chemicals, fossil-free production and solutions that help our customers reduce the carbon footprint of their value chains.