“It is important for us to remain clearly below the permit limits.”
No fossil fuels are used in the bioproduct mill’s processes. Instead, all the energy needed is produced from the side streams of wood processing. The sulphuric acid plant represents new tech- nology. It collects and treats the TRS generated in the process, converting it into sulphuric acid for the mill’s own needs. “By closing chemical cycles, we have successfully minimised the emissions from operations and reduced the volume of chemicals transported from outside the mill,” says Nickull. “The permit conditions determine the upper limit of loads that the environment can cope with without being adversely impacted. It is important for us to remain clearly below the permit limits.” All employees conduct proactive environmental work Tiia Finér , Development Manager at Joutseno pulp mill, logs into the system that the mill’s employees use to record environmental observations, potential risks and deviations posing an environ- mental risk. “A chemicals container in a risky location is an example of such an environmental observation. The observation enables us to react before any accident occurs,” says Finér. The system records not only deviations but also positive envi- ronmental observations. Tried and tested practices can be of use to other mills. Making observations about the environment is part of every employee’s tasks. Mill employees compare observations, in their morning meetings for example, and if necessary decide who will follow up the matter. “The system motivates our employees to observe their environ- ment and pay attention to environmental matters.”
Regular training for employees ensures that environmental matters remain part of daily routines. Proactive environmental and safety work includes rescue plans. Everyone must know how to act if something unexpected hap- pens. The mills organise regular emergency drills in cooperation with the local authorities, rescue services and other key stake- holders. Environmental matters ever more significant In Finland, the forest industry’s long-term environmental work has resulted in considerable emissions reductions despite higher production. According to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, the pulp and paper industry has reduced wastewater emissions by 50 per cent, fossil CO2 by 71 per cent, particulates by 87 per cent and TRS by 97 per cent in proportion to production compared with 1990 levels. Sustainability and responsibility are an integral part of all Metsä Group’s operations, and its strategic 2030 sustainability objectives are paving the way towards a climate neutral society. The compa- ny’s sustainability goals include fossil-free mills by 2030. By 2030 it aims to reduce the volume of spent process water by a quarter per tonne compared with 2018. Nickull has been following developments in the field for 25 years. She believes that environmental efficiency will be increasingly important in the future. “Environmental requirements have increased. This can be seen most clearly in the EU’s ongoing legislative initiatives, which also influence national legislation and permit processes. Sustainability is becoming more crucial than ever.” •
Antti Leppänen works for KVVY Tutkimus Oy, which monitors fish populations in cooperation with Metsä Fibre to form the best possible picture of the state of the waterway.
Tiia Finér Development Manager at Metsä Fibre’s Joutseno pulp mill, who also supervises the mill’s development team and laboratory. As local environmental manager, she is in charge of the mill’s cooperation with the authorities.
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