Fossil free bioproduct mill in Kemi

Project Description

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, is using a unique bioproduct concept to build a new fossilfree bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland. The value of the investment is €1.6 billion, and the new mill will create an industrial ecosystem for new biobased products manufacturing, while generating about 2.5% of the country’s electricity. The mill uses best available technology, including artificial intelligence, digitalisation and electrification.

In addition to the fossil-free Kemi bioproduct mill, Metsä Fibre is currently building the world’s most modern sawmill in Rauma, Finland. The new pine sawmill enables both the Rauma sawmill and the pulp mill to operate without any fossil fuels. With these investments, Metsä Group meets the needs of forest owners and our customers even better than before, across the entire forest industry value chain, and will play a significant role in combating climate change.

During these projects there has been an active, positive dialogue with stakeholders including the national government, parliament and NGOs, as well as local authorities and citizens. These investments are also a significant step towards Metsä Group’s 2030 sustainability targets.

Project Purpose

The Kemi bioproduct mill will produce 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp per year, as well as many other bioproducts. It will also produce 2.0 TWh of renewable electricity per year, about 2.5% of Finland’s total electricity production.

Project Evaluation

The Kemi mill will increase the annual value of Finland’s exports by €500 million, and the positive annual income effect in Finland will be at about the same level. The new mill will secure the current 250 jobs at the Kemi pulp mill for decades to come, and the mill will create 1,500 new jobs along its entire direct value chain in Finland. All in all, about 2,500 people in Finland will work in the direct value chain.

Ismo Nousiainen

CEO of Metsä Fibre

The Kemi bioproduct mill will be a global frontrunner
in environmental, energy and material efficiency. No
fossil fuels will be needed in production, and the mill’s
environmental impact will be minimized. The mill will
be built using the best available technology, and the
technological level meets and even exceeds the EU
BREF requirements. The mill will also create the basis
for development of a local industrial ecosystem with new
bioproducts and partnerships, as has been the case with
our bioproduct mill in Äänekoski. Demand for Nordic
softwood pulp continues to grow globally, and we are
responding to that with sustainably and responsibly
produced pulp.

Main features:

CO2 Emissions saved (tCO2)
Altogether these projects decrease fossil CO2
emissions by 150,000 tons and significantly increase
the production of biobased products and energy.

Investment
Kemi bioproduct mill €1.6 billion; Rauma sawmill €200 million

Partnerships
It creates a platform for an ecosystem where new
partnerships can be formed and new bioproducts can be
produced.

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