Kraftkällan avesta
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Avesta is one of the oldest metallurgical centers in Europe. Already in 14th century there was a &#;Farmer´s forge&#; providing the basic metalurgical operations that time.
Shrinking wood resources surrounding the Falu copper mine caused relocation of the copper smelter to Avesta in which soon became the largest copper coin manufacturer in europe. Mint facility &#;Koppardalen&#; which was set up bygd the river in the northern part of the city was in operation until the deposits in Falu mine were exhausted in
However this was not the end of industrial activity in Avesta. The copper works were gradually rebuilt for iron ore smelting and first carbon steel processing.
At the beginning of the First World War Englishman Harry Brearly discovered stainless steel here. After the production oriented on special steels production and became world dominant during 60´s.
In former heavy tallrik rolling mill was upgraded to the Steckel type mill. In , the company Aveta AB merged with British Steel and Avesta-Sheffield AB was formed. The current steel making shop dates back to this period when it used to be the world´s fastest melt shop.
In Avesta works were incorporated into the Outokumpu Gr
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Koppardalen Verket
The remains of the ironworks at Avesta on the River Dalälven include some of the most important late-nineteenth century plant in Europe. A copper-smelting works established in was closed in and a new ironworks was then built on the site by the firm known from as Avesta Jernverks AB. It had three blast furnaces, a forge for making wrought iron, Bessemer and Open Hearth steelmaking plants, and a rolling mill. The works came under the control of the Axel Johnson company in The three m high charcoal-fuelled blast furnaces are preserved in the condition in which they were rebuilt between and , together with the ropeway system which fed them with raw materials. Two were last used in and the third last operated for a short time in Other parts of the works continued to operate until , and in the site was purchased by the city authority, and from the following year was known as ‘Koppardalen’.
It has been re-developed, in part under the Bergslagen initiative which aims to transform historic industrial sites in Sweden’s mining region (i.e. Bergslagen) into centres for cultural activities and sustainable tourism. The project is known as a Verket (which translates as
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Creativity and entrepreneurship billow forth from the chimneys of industry
Avesta was long an important cog in Sweden’s saga of industrial success. This rich heritage has made it possible for modern industries to grow forth, and in parallel Avesta has developed into a creative scene that attracts thousands of art and history enthusiasts every year.
Avesta is a part of the human geography of Bergslagen, an area that had a monopoly in mining until There was a silver mine (Sala gruva), a copper mine (Falu gruva) and 17 iron mines here. The name Avesta began to be used in the 17th century and Avesta has ties to both the copper mining district and the iron mining district. This heritage lives on today and is thriving, especially through the company Outokumpu Stainless AB, formerly known as Avesta Jernverks AB, the world leader in high performance stainless steel.
“A creative environment for culture and growth”
Its heritage lets new industries grow forth
Over the years, many new industries have grown forth in connection with the old industrial towns in the municipality, including timber industries and a cardboard mill. In the industrial area, which has been called Koppardalen s