Last year marked the biggest industrial project in Keski-Suomen Betonirakenne Oy’s history, with Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill in Kemi. The new bioproduct mill is now ramping up towards full-capacity production.

KSBR was involved in the project for about one and a half years and was responsible for the earthworks and construction of the wood treatment and wastewater treatment facilities.

Almost 60,000 cubic meters of concrete were poured during this period. At most, there were around 150 KSBR employees and subcontractors on site during the day.

“The cooperation with Metsä Group and Fimpec, who were responsible for the construction’s project management, was good and flexible. Despite the challenges of the global situation, we stuck to our tight schedule,” says Marko Leppänen, KSBR’s Industrial Director.

“It was excellent – and instructive – to carry out the design, construction and completion of such a large-scale project,” Leppänen continues.

The construction of the bioproduct mill is also the largest investment in the history of the forest industry, worth around EUR 2 billion.

A shared ambition for success

The Kemi bioproduct mill produces around 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp and several other bioproducts per year – and renewable electricity. It’s a world leader in terms of production, environmental and energy efficiency – and operates entirely without fossil fuels.

KSBR’s CEO, Tuomas Skantz, thanks the entire Metsä Group organization for the smooth collaboration.

“Projects like these can only succeed if there’s smooth cooperation, and if everyone involved respects the contracts and sticks to the agreed schedules. It is also a benefit to everyone that workers’ rights are also taken care of by the contractor,” Skantz says.

A heroic reference

Metsä Group selected its partners to build a modern bioproduct mill based on strict criteria. It required a strong commitment from partners to the project objectives – in terms of safety, schedules, quality, and more.

“Good design is the key to building a new, modern bioproduct mill. Together with KSBR and other partners, we have managed to keep the project on schedule and get the mill going as planned,” says Jari-Pekka Johansson, Director of Metsä Group’s Kemi bioproduct mill project.”

Marko Leppänen identifies several factors driving KSBR’s success in the massive project.

“Our success was based not just on Metsä Fibre’s professional and responsible organisation, but also our own skilled and committed workforce as well as good suppliers and subcontractors. A warm thank you to everyone involved in the project. This is a heroic reference for our company from last year,” Leppänen says with gratitude.