KaiCell Fibers’ Paltamo Pulp and Bioproduct Mill Gets Environmental Greenlight by Finnish Authorities

July 22, 2020 - KaiCell Fibers said that the Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland (AVI) has approved an environmental and water usage permit application for the company’s proposed pulp and bioproducts mill to be built in Paltamo in northeastern Finland.

The mill’s projected annual capacity is 600,000 ADMT (air dried metric tonnes) of which about 85% will be NBSK (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) pulp, and about 15% will be chemical pulp from hardwood (birch), also known as BHKP (Bleached Hardwood Kraft Pulp).

“It is very positive for the Kainuu region that the Paltamo mill project now has a clear path towards implementation,” said Hannu Heikkinen, CEO of KaiCell Fibers. “AVI’s decision further strengthens the venture’s credibility and enables us to seek financing also outside Finland. We can therefore take the next steps towards building the mill with confidence.”

KaiCell Fibers’ Chairman Eero Suutari credited the team that prepared and submitted the permit application.

“They did an extremely thorough job, and went particularly deeply into the very areas that have recently been subjected to scrutiny and tightened rules from the authorities. This way they clearly established that the future mill will operate in harmony with its environment, nature and the local community,” Suutari said.

Paltamo mayor Pasi Ahoniemi emphasized that the municipality stands firmly behind the KaiCell mill venture.

“Converting our fibre wood into market pulp locally would mean a tremendous shot in the arm for the region’s strained economy. Global pulp demand continues to grow, and the mill is projected to generate a positive effect of more than 200 million euro per year. Not only for the forest sector, but throughout our economy,” the mayor said.

KaiCell Fibers Oy/Ltd is a company funded by private investors and the Regional Council of Kainuu (Kainuun Liitto) with the objective of building and operating a state-of-the-art pulp (NBSK) and bioproducts mill in Paltamo, Finland. For further information, visit: www.kaicellfibers.com.

SOURCE: KaiCell Fibers Ltd.