Brussels 7 November 2013
New Power Plant in Kirkniemi Mill announced as part of Sappi Fine Europe’s strategic cost reduction plan
Sappi has announced that it will make a significant investment over the next three years in order to build a new power plant at the Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland. The move supports Sappi Fine Paper Europe’s strategic drive for cost leadership and improved profitability throughout the company.
Work is due to start on the new power plant in May 2014, with an operational date of January 2016 envisaged. The objective of the new plant will be to significantly reduce the cost base by reducing energy costs and securing energy supply. The plant will flexibly use solid fuels such as bark from the mill’s debarking process, other wood based fuels and coal. Any additional biomass required will be bought from local suppliers. The potential exists to use 100% biomass in the plant.
Underlining Sappi’s commitment to sustainable development, processes will be based on BAT – Best Available Technology, and the use of effective cleaning equipment will minimise any environmental impact.
Commenting on the decision, Martti Savelainen, Mill Director of Sappi Kirkniemi said: “We appreciate the trust shown in the Kirkniemi Mill and people. The new power plant will support the future operations in Kirkniemi by safeguarding the competitiveness of the mill. Kirkniemi is an effective unit which is committed to delivering value to the Sappi group in a sustainable way.”
ENDS
About Sappi Kirkniemi mill
Sappi Kirkniemi mill in Lohja is part of Sappi Fine Paper Europe. Annually it produces 735,000 tons of high quality magazine papers which are used for premium quality publications all over the world. The mill employs 630 paper industry professionals from production to R&D. Over 90% of the mill’s production is exported.
The mill operates under management systems consisting of certified Environmental Management System (ISO 14001), Energy Management System (ISO 50001), Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001), Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and Chain Of Custody Verification from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) scheme and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®).
About Sappi
Sappi Fine Paper Europe (SFPE) is the leading European producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Sappi Fine Paper Europe is recognised for innovation and quality. Its graphic paper brands include Magno™, Quatro™, Royal™, Galerie™, GalerieArt™ and Jaz™ ranges. Algro®, Fusion®, Leine® and Parade® are the brands for speciality labelling, topliner, packaging papers and boards. Sappi papers are produced in mills accredited with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification and EMAS registration for all our mills in the EU. SFPE’s mills hold chain-of-custody certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and/or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™) schemes.
Sappi Fine Paper Europe is a division of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with over 14,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at www.sappi.com.
