On October 23, 2024, Metsä Group celebrated the inauguration of its state-of-the-art bioproduct factory, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable production. The event was officiated by President of the Republic Alexander Stubb, along with Jussi Linnaranta, Chairman of the Board of Metsäliitto Cooperative, and Ilkka Hämälä, CEO of Metsä Group.
Since 2015, Metsä Group has invested over six billion euros, with the Kemi facility being the largest single investment at approximately two billion euros. The factory is expected to boost Finland’s annual exports by around half a billion euros and contribute similarly to the nation’s income. The facility provides employment for approximately 250 individuals directly, while the entire industrial area supports 500 jobs. Additionally, around 2,500 people are involved in the factory’s supply chain, primarily in wood procurement.
Metsä Group aims to advance energy production, environmental efficiency, and the manufacturing of wood-based products through its new facility. The bioproduct factory operates without fossil fuels, significantly reducing emissions while doubling production capacity compared to the previous facility. It is projected to generate two terawatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power 100,000 electrically heated homes.
CEO Ilkka Hämälä emphasized the importance of setting higher standards for future developments. “When there is an opportunity to implement a project like this, the target level must be raised,” he stated.
The bioproduct factory, along with Metsä Group’s facility in Äänekoski, represents a vision for the future of the forest industry, aligning with environmental and climate goals. At the heart of the factory is a modern pulp mill that supports the production of renewable products such as cardboard, tissue paper, and printing paper. In addition to pulp, the factory will produce significant quantities of pine oil, turpentine, and bioenergy, alongside other byproducts like product gas and sulfuric acid.
The factory commenced operations on September 20, 2023, and following a brief production halt due to an explosion in the evaporator, resumed full operations in June. Hämälä reaffirmed the factory’s role in enhancing the vitality of Northern Finland and highlighted that the development of Metsä Group’s industrial ecosystem will continue well into the future.
Read more news on Metsa
Read more woodworking news, follow us on LinkedIn.
