PULP NON-FICTION


In a large leap towards a carbon neutral society, Metsä Group has produced the first energy efficient next-generation bioproduct pulp mill.


Metsä Group has built the first next-generation bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland – the largest investment of the European forest industry with a value of €1.2bn. This major investment brings more than 2,500 jobs throughout the value chain, including 1,500 new jobs. It increases the value of exports by around €500m per year. The new mill will also diversify the structure of the Finnish forest economy and bioeconomy by introducing new bioproducts.


ON TIME AND


ON BUDGET The new mill began operating on schedule, and within budget, in August 2017. The mill leads the industry to a new era of resource efficiency through operating with zero fossil fuels and zero fossil CO2 emissions. It is the most energy-efficient pulp mill in the world and utilises 100% of the production side streams in an industrial ecosystem built with partners.


The bioproduct mill uses only wood- based biofuels, generated mainly from its production side streams. The mill is a significant producer of renewable energy and generates 2.4 times the amount of renewable electricity it consumes. It increases the renewable energy production in Finland by at least two percentage points.


The production side streams will be utilised for higher added value products within the globally unique industrial ecosystem. The new


6 | SUSTAINABILITY SUPPLEMENT


technologies of the bioproduct mill can be implemented at other mills.


FLAGSHIP FOR THE


CIRCULAR ECONOMY The mill also produces a large variety of biomaterials and biochemicals. Ismo Nousiainen, Senior Vice President, Production, Metsä Fibre (CEO of Metsä Fibre as of 1 January 2018) explained: “We have really created the first next generation bioproduct mill concept that takes resource efficiency to a totally new level. The mill is a flagship project of a resource-wise bioeconomy and circular economy, using both the raw material and the production side streams efficiently”.


Some examples of the circular nature of the Mill include:


• The sludge from the process is used for biogas production by Metsä partner EcoEnergy SF to replace fossil fuels in traffic and industry.


• Sulphur emissions are captured and converted back in to sulphuric acid, for use in the production processes of the mill.


EVEN MORE


SUSTAINABLE Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill in Äänekoski came into operation as planned on 15 August 2017 at 6:00 in the morning, when the wood chip supply was started. All of the wood used at the mill comes from sustainably-managed forests, in line with Metsä Group’s high environmental standards.


The first pulp bale was produced on the afternoon of the 16 August, and shipments have already begun, both in Europe and worldwide, including delivery of the highly sustainable pulp to mills where Katrin products are sourced. Although Katrin and all Metsä Group Brands have always been naturally sustainable – using pulp from this mill will add even more positive contributions to the environmental footprint.


Nousiainen said: “The bioproduct mill´s production capacity is currently following the start-up curve and it will achieve its nominal capacity approximately one year after start-up”.


Taking into account growing global consumption, it is clear to the industry that more resource-efficient solutions, such as the Äänekoski bioproduct mill, are needed, paving the way to a circular economy.


Nousiainen concluded: “Our environmental performance has clearly improved: pulp production is 2.5 times higher than before, helping us to meet the considerable market demand. However, our environmental impact remains at the same level as it was before the mill was built, plus we deliver significant amounts of renewable energy in to the grid. This new Mill is a win/win for everyone.”


For more details of the Mill, and to see how the Mill proceeded during the build process, click here.


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