Production of sugar from beets has for more than hundred years been default here in the northern parts of Europe. Beets are to be brought up as late as possible, but before the winter sets in, which makes the business is highly seasonal. Further, as beets has a sugar contents of just some 15%, the overall logistics undertaking at time of harvest was huge. In the old society, it meant that the processing had to be done in vicinity of the growing areas.

But like in so many other industrial and agricultural sectors, post WWII-rationalizations made a large number of mills obsolete. This particular one built in 1901 closed in 1960. Note the fine cast-iron details in the supporting structures and the usage of marble in the staircases. Considering today's simple structures of industrial buildings, typically comprising riveted sheets of corrugated plates and lightweight beams, these old building gives the impression that the architects designed them to stand forever.

It is an interesting thought to reflect on the fact that some 350 people worked here in 1901 and it was just one of a large number of plants. Today, Sweden’s last remaining mill (which seems to be the largest in Northern Europe) only employs some 150 workers, yet yielding 350,000 tons of sugar per year.

Update 2015-08: The mill has now burned to the ground and sad the remains will most likely be demolished soon. Yet another spectacular landmark gone...
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