FINLAND (News release) -- Metsä Fibre has completed preparatory work of the Kemi bioproduct mill at the mill site as planned by the end of January 2020. First phase preparatory work of the pre-engineering project began in July 2019 with a purpose to ensure quick start of the construction works after the investment decision. The investment decision of the possible new bioproduct mill is made earliest at the summer 2020.

The main part of the preparatory work are now completed including for example small excavation works, cutting down trees, demolition of buildings and re-routing of existing mill area electrical and pipeline connections. 21 unused old buildings with an area of approximately 50,000 m2 were demolished at the mill site in Sahansaari area. The free space would be needed during the construction of the bioproduct mill and on that area there would be wood processing area and chip piles when the mill is completed.

Planning for the next phase of the preparatory work on the mill site will now begin. In the second phase, among others, more buildings will be demolished at the mill site and some service operations will be relocated. The preparatory work for the second phase will be announced separately.

As a whole the pre-engineering project of the bioproduct mill is progressing as planned. Work in progress are for exampe main equipment negotiations and environmental permitting. The project organisation has been strengthened so that now 31 Metsä Group employees are working on the pre-engineering project.

If implemented, Metsä Group's bioproduct mill in Kemi would be the most efficient wood-processing plant in the Northern hemisphere and once it is in operation, the existing old pulp mill would be shut down. With a value of around Euro 1.5 billion, the bioproduct mill would be Finland's forest industry's history largest investment.

Metsä Fibre is the world's leading producer of bleached softwood pulp and a major producer of sawn timber. Metsä Fibre is part of Metsä Group.