The crisis-stricken company writes in a press release that it is conducting a strategic review of its operations and refers to a challenging economic situation.
Northvolt writes that it is holding "constructive talks with trade unions" and that it will "do its utmost" to minimize the need for layoffs.
Around 300 people, equivalent to 10 percent of the company's employees in Skellefteå, work in the affected part of the factory that will now be closed, at least temporarily, where so-called active material is manufactured, but which can instead be purchased from others. The focus will be on the production of battery cells.
May lead to notice
Teodor Mellström, chairman of the Academic Association at Northvolt, does not have much more information to share when TT reaches him.
It's not impossible that this will lead to notice, he says.
The company's co-founder and CEO Peter Carlsson writes in a comment that the company must make a number of tough decisions, including to "improve financial stability and strengthen operations".
The company, which is still making large losses, is constantly in need of recurring billion-kronor injections. A financing round with investors is currently underway, which is going slowly, and it is partly because of this that the company is reviewing costs.
That there will be layoffs is clear, according to information to TT, and more or less the entire company is affected, mostly in Skellefteå.
There has been a lot of turmoil around the company, that it has big problems getting production going, customers who complain, and financing on the verge of collapse. And now, the Skellefteå factory is closing certain parts.
Toning down
Teodor Mellström tones down the war headlines.
It sounds more dramatic than it is, it's not necessarily something that affects production, he says.
The company has previously announced that plans for a factory in Borlänge are being shut down. On Monday, there were also reports that the company's factory in Canada may be delayed by over a year.
Northvolt may also take in new owners for its facility in Gdansk, Poland, according to Monday's announcement. The battery manufacturer adds that plans for investments in Heide, Germany, and Montreal, Canada, may be adjusted.
