Metsä Group is a Finnish forest industry forerunner in sustainable bio-economy operating in international markets. Metsä Group employs 9500 people and is continuously expanding in the whole world. It uses wood from northern forests to produce high-quality, recyclable and environmentally friendly products for everyday life. In 2021 the group made 6.0 Billion EUR in sales.
PASSER SIDC takes on the challenge
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, was tasked with constructing a new-generation bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland. That is the biggest investment by the Finish forest industry (1.85 billion EUR) to date. The modern mill will be self-sufficient in electricity and at the top of the world regarding production, energy and environmental efficiency. It will produce some 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp a year and other bioproducts.
A significant part of this project was to build a pulp storage tower; however, it was extremely challenging to find a competitive contractor capable of providing an all-inclusive service: engineering, manufacturing, erection works, etc. Moreover, the market was very unpredictable due to pandemic restrictions.
The project in itself was also very demanding. Neat estimations and super-detailed planning were unavoidable for such a large-scale task. The project required substantial investments for the following:
- Specific machinery
- Sufficient equipment for up to 80 people on site
- Infrastructure and appropriate site establishment
- Qualification for new welding procedures
Following careful considerations, Metsä chose to work with PASSER SIDC in cooperation with TERASTORNI OY, thanks to a long experience in partnering together.
Timely results
Pulp storage tanks were erected following requirements for quality and contractual time frame. It was crucial to finalise the main contract scope and have this part of the factory built (pulp storage towers) on time. That then allows the development of subsequent components of the project, i.e. building the rest of the fibre line and continuing with other plant construction works following projected time frames. The mill should be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023.
The experience
That was a very challenging project with no shortage of difficulties concerning installation, challenges of working in extreme weather conditions, detailed planning during all stages of the project and, of course, the search for qualified people willing to work in weather with -35 degrees.
