Foundation stone laid for Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproduct mill
The foundation stone of Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproduct mill was laid on 13 September, with the company confirming the project is progressing according to plan.
Totalling €1.6 billion, the investment in the Kemi bioproduct mill is the largest in the history of Finland’s forest industry. Operating entirely without fossil fuels, the mill will produce around 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp annually, as well as 2 TWh of renewable energy – equivalent to approximately 2.5% of Finland’s total annual electricity production.
The foundation stone was laid to the area of the new fibre line of the mill by Metsä Fibre’s CEO, Ismo Nousiainen, project director Jari-Pekka Johansson, and Mika Vuoti, the on-site contact person. To ensure safety, the event took place in the absence of guests.
“The impact of this large-scale industrial investment is significant,” said Nousiainen. “The Kemi bioproduct mill will increase Finland’s annual exports by around €0.5 billion and its annual positive income effect through the value of the wood raw material and the purchasing of Finnish labour is likewise roughly €0.5 billion.”
Johansson added: “We are proceeding purposefully towards the start-up of the new mill in the third quarter of 2023. At the moment, the project is focused on earthworks and this autumn, we will be moving on to the first equipment installation. Some 450 people are currently working on the site.”
Through its direct value chain, the new bioproduct mill will employ around 2,500 people once completed.
Totalling €1.6 billion, the investment in the Kemi bioproduct mill is the largest in the history of Finland’s forest industry. Operating entirely without fossil fuels, the mill will produce around 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp annually, as well as 2 TWh of renewable energy – equivalent to approximately 2.5% of Finland’s total annual electricity production.
The foundation stone was laid to the area of the new fibre line of the mill by Metsä Fibre’s CEO, Ismo Nousiainen, project director Jari-Pekka Johansson, and Mika Vuoti, the on-site contact person. To ensure safety, the event took place in the absence of guests.
“The impact of this large-scale industrial investment is significant,” said Nousiainen. “The Kemi bioproduct mill will increase Finland’s annual exports by around €0.5 billion and its annual positive income effect through the value of the wood raw material and the purchasing of Finnish labour is likewise roughly €0.5 billion.”
Johansson added: “We are proceeding purposefully towards the start-up of the new mill in the third quarter of 2023. At the moment, the project is focused on earthworks and this autumn, we will be moving on to the first equipment installation. Some 450 people are currently working on the site.”
Through its direct value chain, the new bioproduct mill will employ around 2,500 people once completed.
