An iron municipality that takes care of nature
Smedjebacken, known for its iron industry, is Dalarna’s southernmost municipality and offers fantastic nature experiences. The lakes, the forests and, not least, the canal. Perhaps it’s thanks to them that the municipality became a pioneer in Sweden as one of Sweden’s first eco-municipalities in 1990. The municipality’s vision is to become a welcoming town with engagement, safety and believe in the future.
“Smedjebacken was one of the first eco-municipalities in Sweden.”
Steel and wood take the lead, and smart energy emerges
With its strength in natural resources, Smedjebackens core industries are steel and wood. Smedjebackens Walsverk rolling mill began operations on 15 September 1856 when the first iron bloom was rolled out. The reason the rolling mill was established was that the nearby iron mills of Hagge, Nyhammars Bruk and Grängshammars Bruk were too small to be able to invest in the new rolling mill technology. Subsequently, through various mergers and acquisitions, the company came to form what is today Ovako Bar AB – a leading European manufacturer of component steel for customers in the ball bearing, transportation, and manufacturing industries. The company is proud to be the world’s first in using hydrogen for steel heating and 100% carbon neutral operations. There are about 350 people working at Ovako site in Smedjebacken.
Hitachi Energy has also expanded its production in Dalarna with a new facility in Smedejebacken. This site will focus on the production of valves and is an expansion of the company’s site in Ludvika to cater for the increasing demand of HVDC system.
“Smedjebacken was one of the first eco-municipalities in Sweden.”
The National Association of Swedish Eco-municipalities is a non-profit network of municipalities that was formed in 1985. As early as 1990, Smedjebacken chose to join the network, becoming one of the first eco-municipalities in Sweden. The initiative means that Smedjebacken strives for a more resource-efficient and economical society. Much of the practical work in schools, the power supply and waste management have its roots in the Eco-municipality project, and the eco-municipality concept has also been of great help in bringing the environmental issues to the awareness of the municipal residents and spreading the idea of a society adapted to the eco-cycle.
Take the train to Stockholm or the canal to the world.
Beginning in 2016, a direct train will be running from Smedjebacken to Stockholm. The new double-decker train with free WiFi means that you can jump on the train at 6 o’clock in Smedjebacken and be in Stockholm before 9 o’clock. For those who have plenty of time and prefer more traditional means of transport, there are the canal boats of Strömsholm Canal. The 110 km long waterway stretches from Barken Lake in Smedjebacken to Lake Mälaren in Stockholm, offering boaters a passage to the whole world.
