To discover the origin of soapstone we must travel back billions of years. At that time, the Earth was all fire and brimstone. Then the surface of the Earth began to cool. The continental plates shifted restlessly, seeking each other out, and they eventually crushed together to form mountain ranges. In North Karelia, near the present-day municipality of Juuka, in the bosom of the ancient mountain chain of Karelides, kilometres deep, under extreme pressure and in infernal heat, minerals began to recrystallise, harden and take shape. This natural phenomenon resulted in soapstone.
Our soapstone quarries are located close to our production plant, which means the heavy material can be transported quickly and with a small carbon footprint from its source to the production line. Not only is our entire production chain, from the source of the material to the final product, designed with sustainability in mind, but the product itself is constantly tested. The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) systematically tests and analyses soapstone, which gives us verified data on the raw material and enables us to guarantee high-quality products made from safe and tested material for our customers.
The water used in the factory goes through a filtration process and is returned to the factory for reuse.
Sustainability is one of the cornerstones of our operations and is visible throughout the entire production chain. We respect both nature and people. Our industry and our operations are governed by strict licensing and monitoring, which furthers and necessitates responsible operations in everything we do. We operate in accordance with an ISO9001 quality management system and uphold human rights in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles (UNGP). We always strive to utilise 100% of the raw material, which is why we are constantly seeking and developing new uses for our industrial material wastage.
We systematically carry out occupational safety assessments both at our production plant and at the quarries. This provides us with up-to-date and important data on working conditions and occupational safety management, enabling us to monitor the level and development of occupational safety and to adapt our occupational health and safety activities in the right direction.
Water absorption 0.1% En 13755 Hardness or scratch resistance Mohs 2.5 Slip resistance SFS-EN 14231 53/41 USRV 45 USRV: Unpolished Slip Resistance Value
Finland has the largest and best-mapped soapstone deposits in the world. Up to 70% of Europe’s soapstone deposits are in Finland, the best known of which are located in North Karelia and Kainuu, most notably in Nunnanlahti in Juuka, which is currently Tulikivi’s most important deposit.
Soapstone is a type of stone formed from soft minerals, in which talc and magnesite are firmly bonded together, forming a uniform and homogeneous mass of stone. The colour of soapstone is different shades of grey, sometimes even slightly greenish. The surface of soapstone is a soft and soap-like to touch, which is why it is called soapstone. Thanks to its high talc content, soapstone is easy to saw, sculpt and carve. Similarly, its high magnesite content gives it excellent strength properties. Tulikivi’s Finnish soapstone is a durable, non-porous, clean and safe material for fireplaces, sauna heaters, interior design stones and cooking utensils.
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