In 2001 a voice from the graffiti scene contacted us and hinted there's a glue factory worth a check in Hanko, southernmost city of Finland. We finally went to see the place next summer and really found it worth the drive. The factory has been small, employing only some 15 persons in later phases, but there were many tiny buildings to check. There had been lots of toxic barrels and containers lying around too, but an anti-chemical-pollution hit squad had cleaned up all the estates before our visit. This was read from an Ek¤kem published paper that tells a heroic story of the cleaning case as an indirect company commercial/reference.

Anyway, we later found out that the description "glue factory" was only partially true. Ha-Te-Ke has produced above all paints and varnishes, asphaltic and latex products, special filling cements and some glues. The factory was established in 1928 and it operated continuously until the recession of early 1990's and company bankcruptcy. After that, until 1995, someone continued very low scale production in the factory. When the manager of this business died in 1999 the estates were left useless and unguarded.

Youth of Hanko found the factory instantly after it's last manager's passing. In a few years the place has been totally dissected and graffiti'ed. It's hard to believe it's been abandoned for so little time. A dominating element at the deserted place is graffiti, which is actually very suitable for a paint factory. But there's more to it. Some sections have been emptied but then many have interesting equipment, items, junk etc. to see. Instead of one big but dull building there are two "main" buildings and three additional ones. All of them are somewhat interesting. Wandering through the estates takes a lot of time but you won't get bored, even though there is no incredible amount of floorspace to check. The little halls are detailed and differing.