The conversion of Stora Enso’s Oulu paper mill into a containerboard mill has received an environmental permit from the Regional State Administrative Agency of Northern Finland. Out of a total of EUR 350 million invested in the conversion of the mill, approximately EUR 40 million will be used for environmental improvements of the mill. Source: Timberbiz
The investment will improve the mill’s odour and noise situation and decrease the water emissions.
“As part of Stora Enso’s transformation into a renewable materials company, the Oulu paper mill will be converted to produce high-end packaging material. The kraftliner is used, for example, in food packaging and high-quality e-commerce packaging, which require high strength, purity and excellent visual appearance. In connection to the conversion, we are investing significantly in environmental improvements to reduce the mill’s environmental impact. Among other things, noise, odour and water impacts will improve in the area,” Juha Mäkimattila, Oulu Mill Director said.
The spread of odours in the environment will be prevented in the future with multi-stage combustion systems for malodorous gases. Noise from the mill will be reduced with the introduction of wood chip silos. The changes to reduce the environmental impact will be completed before the mill is scheduled to start production by the end of 2020.
In connection to the conversion the pulp mill will stop bleaching pulp. This will remove risks related to hazardous chemicals currently used at the mill, such as chlorine dioxide, and eliminates the risk of chlorinated compounds harmful to the aquatic environment.
The organic effluent load from the pulp mill’s wastewater treatment plant process will be reduced from the current level, and the existing paper mill’s effluent treatment plant will be completely rebuilt, reducing the effluent load to the sea. After conversion, only food contact approved chemicals will be used.
The Oulu mill produces energy for its own use, for other operations located in the plant area and for the district heating network of the City of Oulu. Following the conversion, the plant will have the technical capability to produce all energy without fossil fuels. The share of peat in the fuel mix will also decrease from the current level. Switching to renewable fuels will significantly reduce the mill’s fossil CO2 emissions.
