My name is Peter Terins and I am Technical Director for the expansion and modernization of Mariestad Mill. My background is in chemical engineering with a specialization in paper technology after studies at the Royal Institute of Technology. I have been in the paper industry all my professional life.
These are exciting times to be technically responsible for the expansion in Mariestad as we at Metsä Tissue focuses on world-class environmental and operational performance in tissue production. This extensive project consists of half a dozen sub-projects, the coordination between them is one of my main tasks. I am also an extension of Project Director Esa Paavolainen.
With the investment decision in February we have left the planning phase, it feels good that we have entered the implementation phase. I thought I would tell you a bit about the technical advantages of the Future Mill.
The new paper machine, with a capacity of 70,000 tons of tissue paper per year, is an important part of the expansion as it provides significant quality and energy benefits. The two-layer headbox allows us to produce tissue paper in two different layers, which means great opportunities to influence the quality. The press section consists of a so-called shoe press, i.e. an extended press-nip that provides a drier paper and preserves the thickness. This allows us to improve quality and also save energy.
Did you know that paper pulp consists of more than 99% water when it enters the paper machine? The rest is fresh fiber. It is very, very wet. When the paper machine is done, there is about five percent water left.
Another important part of the modernization is the construction of a fully automated warehouse. Here, the major handling of materials will be handled by electrically powered automatic trucks that are laser-controlled. This means both environmental and work environment improvements. The high-bay warehouse will be a gigantic pallet rack measuring 30 meters in height.
Stormwater management is a challenge for all modern factories, as you can no longer discharge rainwater untreated. With the Future Mill, we are creating a two-stage pond system instead of the current solution where 15 pipes go straight into the Tidan river. In the first stage, we have pre-dams with plants that purify the water, a wetland in simple terms. In the next step, the rainwater is collected in one of our three large ponds for retention and sampling, and if there are any pollutants, we can pump the water to the treatment plant. The pond system will create key habitats for many plants and animals.
With the new investments and improvements being made, the mill in Mariestad will live on for many decades to come. In addition to the technical aspects, I would also like to mention personnel and organization, which are equally important for everything to work. Everything must work out so that the factory can be run according to Metsä Tissues high standards.
Take a look at the website from time to time to follow the construction of the Future Mill in Mariestad.