The new Kemi bioproduct mill will come online in the third quarter of 2023. Although the actual start is some time away, Metsä Fibre has long been working to ensure that the transition from the old mill, located on the same site, is as smooth as possible.
“Metsä Fibre’s solid project skills, experienced personnel and extensive training will ensure a smooth transition with no need for any downtime,” says Ari Harmaala, SVP, Sales and Marketing.
“The transition will be carried out in a week or so, without supply disruptions. The old mill will run until the new one is fully ready for production. Our customers will not even notice the changeover.”
After start-up, Kemi bioproduct mill will provide Metsä Fibre’s customers with many advantages that also improve their competitiveness. One is its higher production capacity, an increase in the output of premium pulp by around 900,000 tonnes.
“Our market pulp capacity will significantly increase thanks to the new mill. As in all our products, quality will be guaranteed by slow-growing Nordic wood, with fibres suitable for many different purposes.”
The mill boasts world-class environmental, energy and material efficiency across the board and operates with zero fossil fuels.
Huge investment in sustainability
With a value of EUR 1.85 billion, Kemi bioproduct mill is the largest investment in the history of Finland’s forest industry. The mill will generate wellbeing across vast swathes of Finland and increase export income significantly.
“Being a frontrunner requires investment,” says Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre. He points out that sustainability, climate change and increasing environmental awareness place new demands on pulp producers.
“At Metsä Group, responsibility and sustainability have long been our guiding principles, and their significance will only increase in the future. Kemi bioproduct mill will help us meet these requirements and comply with our ambitious sustainability targets. We aim to be the world’s most sustainable pulp producer.”
“Sustainability, competitive production, and top expertise lie at the core of our operations. We are building a mill with superior energy, material and environmental efficiency that will be a global fortrunner in these areas.”
Mill will meet the most stringent environmental norms
The fully fossil-free mill will meet the most stringent environmental norms and technical requirements far into the future. Uses have been identified for nearly all production side streams, and active research is underway to find ways to utilise the remaining fractions.
“Our increasing environmentally efficient production makes us an even stronger partner for customers seeking sustainable growth,” says Harmaala.
He adds that the new mill will improve the industrial efficiency and competitiveness of its customers, as well as Metsä Fibre’s.
“The data collected in the Kemi production and delivery process will provide customers with pulp of increasingly high quality, as well as new tools for developing their operations and products.”
This article was originally published in Fibre Magazine issue 2022–2023.