Optimising energy balance and operational flexibility

Project Description

The Kymi-700 investment project at UPM Kymi pulp mill in Finland began in 2014, and was finalised by the end of 2015. It comprised a new pulp drying machine, modernisation of the softwood fibre line, a new debarking plant and improvements in the energy balance, resource efficiency and operational flexibility of the Kymi complex of pulp and paper mills.

Project Purpose

The purpose of the investment was to increase Kymi pulp mill’s annual production capacity and debottleneck the process to ensure better efficiency and capacity utilisation.

The investment also improved the integrated mill site’s energy efficiency. Despite the major increase in production capacity, total emissions into the air and water will remain at the same level as before, thus reducing emissions per tonne.

The improvements in energy balance, resource efficiency and operational flexibility meant that CO2 emissions per tonne were decreased remarkably through the project. With increased pulp production, the amount of biomass-based surplus heat and electricity increased, partially replacing fossil fuels in the integrated mill.

Project Evaluation

The investments at the UPM Kymi pulp mill improved the efficiency of the entire integrated mill: the pulp and paper businesses can independently optimise their production and simultaneously benefit from synergies related to energy, logistics and environmental management.

Sami Lundgren

VP, UPM Environment and Responsibility

“UPM’s Biofore strategy is based on versatile use of renewable wood biomass, combined with innovation, resource efficiency and responsibility. This enables us to respond to some of the biggest global challenges, which are driving demand for sustainable solutions and responsible business practices. In 2015 we revised our focus areas, and established new targets and performance indicators through to 2030 to guide our responsibility activities.

UPM’s expertise in renewable and recyclable materials, low-emission energy and resource efficiency is the key to developing sustainable businesses with high added value and competitive advantage. What could be a better example of providing solutions for the community than offering sustainable wood-based pulp products or turning residues from pulp production into advanced biofuel?”

 

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