Norsk Hydro Rjukan Industrial Heritage and History

Norsk Hydro Rjukan has a rich industrial heritage that dates back to the early 20th century. The company was founded in 1905 by Sam Eyde and Kristian Birkeland, who developed a new method for producing nitric acid using electricity.

The production of nitric acid was a groundbreaking innovation that allowed for the mass production of fertilizers and other chemicals. This innovation was a key factor in Norway's industrial development and growth.

The Rjukan plant was built in the 1910s and quickly became one of the largest industrial complexes in Norway. The plant's location in the valley of the Måna River provided a reliable source of hydroelectric power, which was essential for the production of nitric acid.

The company's innovative approach to industrial production and its commitment to using local resources helped establish Norsk Hydro Rjukan as a leader in the industry.

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Norsk Hydro Rjukan has a rich history that dates back to 1902, when Sam Eyde and Norwegian and Swedish investors bought Rjukan Falls and established A/S Rjukanfos on 30 April 1903.

The first major breakthrough came in 1905 when the test plant for the Birkeland–Eyde process in Notodden started operation, producing synthetic potassium nitrate on 2 May.

The company continued to grow, and on 2 December 1905, Norsk Hydro-Elektrisk Kvælstofaktieselskab was founded, with plans to start a new plant in Rjukan.

Rjukanfos applied for permission to build a power line from Rjukan to Notodden in 1907, but the Norwegian Parliament denied the application on 18 June.

In 1907, Norsk Hydro and the German group Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (today BASF) made an agreement to create the factory at Rjukan, Rjukan Salpeterfabrik, and created Norsk Transportaktieselskap as a 50/50 joint venture.

The first potassium nitrate was shipped out on 8 December 1911, and by 1915, production had increased to 250,000 tonnes per year.

The town of Rjukan grew rapidly, with 11,651 people living there by 1920.

In the 1920s, production decreased due to tough economic times, but the company recovered by the end of the decade, and in 1929, the electric arc technology was replaced by the Haber process.

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The ammonia plant was established at Rjukan in 1927, and by the 1930s, the company was producing a range of products, including hydrogen and other gases.

Norsk Hydro became the first plant in the world to mass-produce heavy water in 1934, following a production plan by Leif Tronstad and Jomar Brun.

Construction at Rjukan began with two main plants, one at Vemork and the other at Såheim, with the town of Rjukan built in between.

Norsk Hydro took over ownership of the Rjukan plants from BASF in 1911, the same year the first plant opened.

Sigurd Kloumann was the main engineer for the constructions at Rjukan, while Thorvald Astrup was the main architect.

The initial plant used both the Birkeland–Eyde furnace and the Schönherr furnace, with 120 furnaces built on 6,000 square meters of floorspace.

Housing and public facilities were built to accommodate the workers, with many eventually settling and taking industrial jobs after the plants were finished.

Norsk Hydro employed up to 2,500 people during construction, with the main engineer and architect overseeing the project.

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Notodden was chosen as an industrial site in 1905 and quickly grew with modern infrastructure, factories, workers' housing, and transport systems.

The town became a laboratory for new industrial technology, but space constraints and the need for more power led Hydro to move its main production to Rjukan.

Notodden's industrial area is a bit more clustered than in Rjukan, but like in Rjukan most buildings are converted into office space.

The town's industrial heritage is a testament to the innovative spirit of Norwegian engineers and entrepreneurs, who developed a method for producing artificial fertilizer by extracting nitrogen from the air.

In Notodden, you can visit the geometric workers neighborhood and the administration buildings, which are located right next to the industrial area.

The Tinfos I and II power plants are also located in Notodden, and are a reminder of the town's rich industrial history.

Here are some key facts about Notodden's industrial heritage:

In 1963, Norsk Hydro announced a savings plan that would ultimately lead to the decline of its industrial presence in Rjukan.

The plan involved introducing new technology in ammonia production, which would force the closure of the Rjukan plant and replace it with a petroleum-based process at Herøya.

Rolf Østbye, the CEO, made it clear that this change would result in the loss of 250 jobs, which were later moved to Herøya.

The "Rjukan situation" became a source of conflict between the local community and Norsk Hydro, as the company applied for permission to build a power line from Rjukan to Herøya in 1964.

Permission was granted in 1968, effectively sealing the fate of the large industry in Rjukan.

Production of fertilizer was moved to Herøya and Glomfjord, while Rjukan transferred to producing calcium ammonium nitrate in 1963 and ammonium nitrate in 1964.

The last commuter train for workers to the plants stopped running on May 25, 1968, marking the beginning of the end for the industry in Rjukan.

In 1985, the authorities finally gave in and permitted the termination of passenger services with Storegut and Ammonia.

By 1982, the plan had been producing a deficit, and Norsk Hydro made an agreement with the authorities to create new jobs and invest in the local infrastructure.

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In 1988, Norsk Hydro terminated ammonia production, and by 1991, the company had also closed down production of ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate, along with the Rjukan Line.

This decline was swift, with the number of Norsk Hydro employees in Rjukan dropping from 1,760 to 530 people within a few years.

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Notodden was first chosen as an industrial site in 1905, and the first factories were built there to produce artificial fertilizer. This marked the beginning of the town's rapid growth with modern infrastructure, factories, workers' housing, and transport systems.

The town quickly became a laboratory for new industrial technology, but space constraints and the need for more power led Hydro to move its main production to Rjukan. Notodden's industrial heritage is a testament to Norway's innovative spirit and its ability to harness hydropower for heavy industry.

The Rjukan Line and ferry transport across Lake Tinnsjø connected Notodden to the railway network, enabling the export of artificial fertilizer to the global market. This was a groundbreaking development during the Second Industrial Revolution.

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Here are some key facts about Notodden's industrial heritage:

Today, you can visit the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum in Rjukan and explore the heavy water cellar, which played a crucial role in the heavy water sabotage during World War II.

Norsk Hydro is planning a significant upgrade of its hydropower production at Rjukan.

The proposed project would modernise the company's power production facilities and add increased flexibility and pumped storage capacity to Norway's power system.

The expansion could increase capacity by up to 750MW at peak production and pumping.

Gross annual production in the Rjukan section of the Måna river could rise by as much as 50%.

The upgrade is expected to optimize Norsk Hydro's current output of approximately 3TWh of power per year in the region.

The project will improve the use of water resources and ensure power delivery during high-demand periods.

Norsk Hydro's operations in Rjukan include the Frøystul, Vemork, Såheim, Moflåt, and Mæl power plants.

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The preferred plan involves a new pumped storage facility and a new tunnel connecting Møsvatn and Tinnsjøen.

Field studies and impact assessments are set to begin in the second quarter of 2025.

A concession application is planned for early 2026.

The company is committed to working together with local communities and municipalities to minimize the impact on nature and the environment.

Norsk Hydro's long-term commitment to renewable energy and Norwegian industrial development is evident in this project.