11/06/2018
KaiCell Fibers Ltd’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed and the EIA-report has been submitted to the local authorities. The environmental impact assessment report prepared by consulting company Pöyry covers three project alternatives and the so-called the zero option. The results of the impact assessment will be presented at a public event in Paltamo in June.
In the environmental impact assessment process, there have been three project alternatives where the production of bleached pulp is 500 000 – 600 000 tonnes per year and the volume of further processing of textile fiber from 100 000 tonnes to 400 000 tonnes per year. The company will submit an environment permit application later this year.
The options are intended to determine the potential impacts of production facilities. The progress of the project has been reported to local stakeholders, and the impact of the project has been discussed in different occasions from the point of view of the surrounding community.
The most significant impacts are related to the economy. The societal impact of the project is approximately EUR 200 million per year, widely generating widespread prosperity especially in the Kainuu region. Process solutions and waste water treatment are based on the best available technology (BAT) to keep the environmental burden under control. There are currently almost 20 pulp mills in operation in Finland, therefore the process solutions are well known and there is a great deal of expertise related to those in Finland.