Reducing our environmental impact
For Metsä Fibre, sustainability is part of our daily operations. The company uses energy and natural resources efficiently and keeps emissions to a minimum. We are all responsible for the environmental effects of our operations.
We recycle process chemicals and water as much as possible. Wastewater is treated in activated sludge plants. Odorous gases from pulp mills are combusted.
Environmental efficiency is based on continuous development
We ensure the environmental efficiency of our mills through investments and continuous development. Metsä Fibre’s most significant investment in 2014 was the renewal of the base of the recovery boiler and the air system at the Joutseno mill, as well as of its woodchip silo and vapour treatment system. The new woodchip silo improves the mill’s operational reliability, and its vapour treatment system and the combustion of gases significantly reduce malodorous emissions. The replacement of the recovery boiler’s air system reduces nitrogen emissions.
At the Kemi mill, we have improved the recovery and treatment of mildly malodorous gases from the causticising plant. This has improved lime kiln combustion management and reduced sulphur emissions.
In 2015, we invested in a malodorous gas boiler to increase the gas treatment capacity at the Rauma mill. The investment minimised malodorous emissions by ensuring the effective treatment of malodorous gases, particularly during interruptions, start-ups and shutdowns.
Reducing our water consumption
We have systematically reduced water consumption at all of our mills. The Kemi water supply plant has succeeded particularly well in reusing its internal water fractions more efficiently. It is now using warm water fractions to produce fresh water, which has improved its energy efficiency.
In addition, lower water consumption has improved the energy efficiency of Metsä Fibre mills, as less water needs to be pumped than before. The operation of the biological treatment plants also improves when the wastewater stays there for longer.
Emissions into water from Metsä Fibre’s mills are in line with their permit conditions, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the company’s wastewater has decreased.
Close monitoring of emissions into the air
Annual emissions into the air from Metsä Fibre’s mills are normally lower than the maximum BAT emission levels. Isolated deviations from the permit limits of emissions into the air have posed challenges at the mills. Under normal operating conditions, the processing rates of mildly and strongly malodorous gases are at a good level.
Metsä Fibre has succeeded in reducing the amount of landfill waste it produces by making use of the waste in landscape restoration at closed landfill sites.
