READ MORE ABOUT OUR BIOPRODUCT MILL CONCEPT
Metsä Fibre’s bioproduct mill, under construction in Kemi, will maximise the conversion of wood, a valuable raw material. SUSTAINABLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY PRODUCED BIOPRODUCTS
ANNE PENTTILÄ, photo NINA SUSI
The two main elements for Metsä Fibre’s new bioproduct mill in Kemi are environmental and resource efficiency. Based on our unique bioproduct mill concept, it represents the next development step in environmental efficiency. “Resource efficiency means that we get an optimal yield from wood, in terms of the volume of bioproducts ob- tained, and that we use chemicals, water and energy as efficiently as possible in production,” says Kaija Pehu- Lehtonen , Senior Vice President, Business Development. The core idea of our bioproduct mill concept is to fully utilise wood and production side streams for pulp, other bioproducts and bioenergy that can replace fossil-based materials and fuels. Energy self-sufficiency and a water cycle that is as closed as possible are also essential elements in the concept. “Our processes must allow nothing to go to waste. This means recovering valuable wood fibres for pulp and us- ing the remaining parts as efficiently as possible for other material purposes,” says Pehu-Lehtonen. Any parts that are not suitable as material will be used as renewable energy to provide power to energy efficient production processes. A CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING CONCEPT Metsä Fibre is using the unique bioproduct mill concept to renew its pulp mills. The concept emerged in the ear- ly 2010s, as the company considered various options for
replacing the old Äänekoski pulp mill, then nearing the end of its life-cycle. Äänekoski bioproduct mill, constructed in accordance with the new concept, was started up in 2017. Kemi bio product mill, now under construction, will further de- velop the concept. “Every time we build a new mill, we can make improve- ments to its unit processes, thanks to improved technolo- gy. In Kemi, we can use features that were not yet available to us in Äänekoski. There are also new by-product oppor- tunities,” says Pehu-Lehtonen. She believes the main changes will enhance the bioprod- uct mill’s energy and material efficiency. This will also bring new improvements to the new mill’s environmental performance. “We follow environmental performance by monitor- ing water and energy use, material efficiency, traditional emissions indicators, and so on. The principle of con- tinuous improvement is vital. It forms the basis of our operations.” “Technology continues to develop, and we understand interactions better than ever. However, closed cycles lead to the accumulation of elements, so we must find new ways to use them.” Pehu-Lehtonen still sees room for improvement, even though emissions from the Äänekoski bioproduct mill are very low – and the Kemi mill will emit even less.
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