The company said a weighing and sampling facility, and a new warehouse, will be built as well as a new quay and its infrastructure.  The logistical upgrade will be carried out during 2021-2022 with the facilities will be operational in the beginning of 2023.

"Through the infrastructure modernization of the Port of Pori, we are taking further steps in strengthening our productivity and competitiveness as well as contributing to our strong environmental performance," said Daniel Peltonen, president of Business Area Smelters.

Russia's Norilsk Nickel unveiled plans in April to increase its nickel output at the Harjavalta refinery in Finland in response to rising demand in Europe for the key battery metal.

Norilsk said it would boost output from current levels of 65,000 tonnes per year to 75,000tpa in 2023 before ramping up to over 100,000tpa by early 2026.

Nickel output from the asset totalled 63,000t in 2020. Norilsk plans to increase total nickel production by 20-30% over the coming decade to about 250,000tpa.