I will stand up for the company, says Harald Mix to TT in connection with a conference on fossil-free investments in Sweden.
What do you think about the conditions for achieving financing in the current situation?
I think they are good, he says.
"The environment has been tough"
In a speech at the conference, Mix says that it is currently tough for the battery manufacturer's customers, European car manufacturers.
This affects the pace of the transition, he says.
The environment has been tough, he adds.
According to Mix, it is important to remember that it is not easy to build up a completely new industry in Europe.
You have to count on there being some "bumps in the road" (obstacles), he says.
A key factor behind the problems right now is also the economic cycle, according to Mix.
This naturally affects, he says.
He still believes in Northvolt's future and describes it as an excellent example of how Sweden can develop positively in the transition thanks to good conditions.
The customer need is there. I am not at all worried that the big companies will change their long-term plans. There is an enormous demand for the green products, he says.
"This is a new asset class"
In a conversation on stage with national coordinator Svante Axelsson after his speech, Mix tries to explain why the situation is so difficult for Northvolt, which has within a few weeks given notice of termination to 1,600 employees, put a subsidiary with multi-billion kronor debts into bankruptcy, and paused several projects.
It is incredibly difficult to finance this type of project. This is a new asset class, he says.
There is very little money to build new industries, he adds.
He calls for better coordination at the European level, with public funds that can support transition projects.
Mix did not want to answer questions from journalists after the stage appearance.
