Finnchain

What Finnchain does

Finnchain Oy is a Finnish specialty manufacturer of chain scraper systems for wastewater and water treatment, headquartered and producing in Rauma, Finland. Founded in 1982 by Pekka Tuomikoski, the company built its technological foundation on a proprietary notched-link plastic chain model that replaced traditional steel chain with corrosion-resistant plastic, plus patented systems including FinnFlow® for surface scum removal, Rail Irrigation, and the Chain Watch safety device. Its product portfolio spans chain scrapers for both rectangular and circular sedimentation tanks, grit removal systems, DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) systems for desalination pretreatment, lamella clarifiers, conventional scum pipes, and Solar Cover systems. With 4,500+ installations across roughly 70 countries, the company serves primarily municipal wastewater utilities and seawater desalination plants, with marquee references including Athens Psyttalia (128 scrapers, pre-2004 Olympics), Perth Desalination, Tampere Central WWTP, and Besos in Barcelona.

Finnchain operates a dual go-to-market model: direct sales and service in the Nordic countries covering design through installation and maintenance, and a distributor network of 16+ local and regional partners across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania for international markets. Exports account for 80-90% of turnover, with shipments routed via the Port of Rauma. Revenue is generated through custom-built hardware sales (project-based, quote-driven pricing tied to tank dimensions and material choice), spare parts, and recurring maintenance contracts. The company is privately held under the Addtech Group, with a 21-person team of long-tenured specialists, and was led from July 2024 by CEO Krister Stenbom following the retirement of founder family-member Leena Tuomikoski.

The business model is capital-light specialty industrial manufacturing with significant customer lock-in through 20+ year equipment lifespans and municipal procurement cycles. Long-term sales momentum depends on winning design specifications in large municipal and desalination projects, with subsequent spare parts and maintenance revenue accruing over the equipment life. Strategic positioning emphasizes durability, energy efficiency (lightweight plastic chains), corrosion resistance (including super duplex steel variants for desalination), and engineering customization for each tank geometry.

Name

Finnchain

Legal name

Finnchain Oy

Website

https://finnchain.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Finnchain Oy is a Finnish specialty manufacturer of proprietary chain scraper systems for wastewater and desalination plants, serving municipal utilities and desalination operators in roughly 70 countries via direct Nordic sales and a global distributor network, with 4,500+ installations since 1982.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wastewater Treatment Equipment

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ)

Keywords

• Chain scraper systems
• Wastewater treatment equipment
• Sedimentation tank scrapers
• Desalination pretreatment systems
• Water treatment clarifiers

Headquarters

HQ city

Rauma

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Chain Scraper System Sales: Custom-built chain scraper systems sold to municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Equipment is tailored to customer's pool dimensions. Both rectangular and circular tank solutions available. Revenue is project-based with significant orders.
2. Spare Parts Sales: Replacement parts and components for existing scraper systems sold to customers. Supports long-term relationships and repeat business.
3. Maintenance Contracts: Service agreements for ongoing maintenance of scraper systems. Regular maintenance visits extend equipment lifecycle and create recurring revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Finnchain designs, manufactures, and sells chain scraper systems used in wastewater treatment processes including sedimentation tanks, clarifiers, grit removal, and DAF desalination pretreatment. Each system is custom-built to customer tank dimensions using proprietary notched-link plastic chain technology. The company sells directly to municipalities and industrial customers in Nordic countries and through regional distributors internationally, supported by long-term maintenance contracts and spare parts supply.

Product overview

Finnchain is a technology leader in chain scraper systems for wastewater treatment, offering a comprehensive product portfolio centered around its core chain scraper systems for sedimentation tanks and clarifiers. The product family includes patented solutions like FinnFlow® for surface scum removal, Solar Cover systems for tank protection and solar energy generation, Grit Removal systems for heavy inorganic solid separation, DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) systems for desalination pretreatment, and Lamella Clarifiers for enhanced sedimentation. The company also offers complementary products including conventional scum pipes and the Chain Watch safety device. All products are customized to customer tank dimensions and process requirements, with the core chain scraper system serving as the foundational platform supplemented by add-on modules for specific treatment applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FinnFlow®: Patented surface scum removal system that enables scum removal from large areas using continuous, natural water flow without requiring a motor.

Products and services

• Chain Scraper Systems Custom-built chain scraper systems used in wastewater and water treatment processes for sludge and impurity removal from sedimentation tanks and clarifiers. Available for both rectangular and circular tanks and tailored to each customer's tank dimensions. Primary customers are municipal wastewater treatment plants, desalination facilities, and industrial process water operators.
• FinnFlow® Surface Scum Removal System Patented surface scum removal system that uses continuous natural water flow rather than a motor, requiring no energy input. Self-adjusts to water level fluctuations and removes scum from large sedimentation tank areas. Sold to municipal and industrial wastewater treatment operators as a complement to chain scraper systems.
• Solar Cover System Tank covering solution that blocks sunlight from entering water to minimize algae growth and reduce odor pollution. Can be equipped with solar panels to generate electricity. Sold to municipal wastewater treatment plant operators as a complement to scraper systems.
• Grit Removal Systems Systems for separation and removal of heavy inorganic solids such as sand, gravel, and mineral particles — an essential step in wastewater treatment processes to prevent damage to downstream mechanical equipment. Sold to municipal wastewater treatment operators.
• DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) Desalination Systems DAF systems in which pressurized air-saturated water is released into a flotation tank to create fine air bubbles that remove organic and oily matter from seawater as a pretreatment step for desalination. Sold to desalination plant developers and operators in water-scarce regions, with super duplex steel options for corrosive environments.
• Lamella Clarifiers Clarification enhancement systems using lamella plates or tubes to increase the effective sedimentation surface area of tanks. Well suited for renovation and capacity increase projects in existing wastewater treatment plants. Sold to municipal and industrial customers upgrading their facilities.
• Maintenance and Spare Parts Services Service agreements for ongoing preventive maintenance of installed scraper systems and supply of replacement parts and components. Delivered directly by Finnchain in Nordic countries and through local distributor partners internationally. Supports the company's 20+ year equipment lifespans and creates recurring revenue.

Quantifiable outcome

• Equipment lifespan of 20+ years with proper maintenance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InnovEngcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2025New Singapore distributor signed April 2025. Specializes in environmental projects, particularly water and wastewater. Founded by Evelyn Tan who was named Singapore's Women Entrepreneur of the Year. Initial cooperation agreement signed June 2024.
• Everight International Ltd (Beijing)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for China market. Located in Beijing's Dongcheng District.
• Swing CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese distributor. Ryo Ishikawa, Project Manager at Swing Corporation, provided testimonial praising Finnchain's performance and design simplicity.
• Water Confidence Technologies LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Hong Kong market.
• Ecotec (Ecología técnica, S.A.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing Spanish distributor since late 1990s. Marc Oliva Vilarasau heads water division. Collaboration expanded to include desalination solutions using super duplex steel.
• FB KetjuminorStrategic or Co-development Partner"Sister company" under Addtech ownership. Joint Sustainability Day activities organized. CFO Johanna Alho led sustainability training.
• SCAE S.r.l.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian distributor located in Dueville, Vicenza.
• JBF Group WrexhamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distributor based in Wrexham Industrial Estate.
• WAPPtechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHungarian distributor based in Budapest.
• K&K Technology a.s.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Slovakia and Czech Republic markets.
• New Engineering Trading SAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreek distributor based in Athens.
• Aqua Nishihara Corporation Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThai distributor based in Bangkok.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nordic Water Products: Swedish manufacturer of wastewater treatment equipment, including sedimentation and clarification solutions for municipal and industrial customers. Directly comparable as a Nordic-headquartered specialist competing in the same rectangular/circular clarifier equipment segment.
• WesTech Engineering: US-based manufacturer of clarification and water treatment equipment for municipal and industrial markets. Comparable as a directly competing supplier of sedimentation tank scraper systems and related process equipment.
• Huber SE: German manufacturer of water and wastewater treatment equipment with products spanning screening, sludge, and clarification processes. Directly comparable as an established European competitor offering chain-and-flight scraper systems and complementary treatment solutions.
• Monroe Environmental: US manufacturer of water and wastewater treatment equipment including chain-and-flight collectors, clarifiers, and grit removal systems. Directly comparable for its specialized scraper systems serving industrial and municipal customers.
• Smith & Loveless: US manufacturer of water and wastewater treatment systems for municipal markets. Comparable as a competing supplier of treatment plant equipment with a focus on engineered, project-based solutions for utilities.
• Parkson Corporation: US provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions including physical-chemical and biological processes. Comparable as a competing supplier serving municipal and industrial customers with engineered process equipment.
• Aqua-Aerobic Systems: US-based supplier of aeration, clarification, and filtration systems for municipal wastewater treatment. Directly comparable as a competing manufacturer of clarifier equipment serving municipal utilities.

Broad incumbents

• Suez Water Technologies & Solutions: Global water treatment major offering municipal and industrial water solutions, including pretreatment for desalination and process water treatment. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same municipal customers, though not specialized in chain scraper systems.
• Veolia Water Technologies: Global water technology major offering a broad portfolio including desalination, wastewater treatment, and process water solutions. Comparable as a much larger incumbent serving the same municipal desalination and wastewater customers, though it does not specialize in chain scraper systems.
• Xylem (incl. Evoqua): Global water technology company formed around Xylem and Evoqua, providing a broad range of treatment, transport, and testing solutions. Comparable as a large incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with Finnchain's municipal wastewater and desalination pretreatment offerings.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/finnchain-oy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Finnchain