Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, started the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in May 2019 for the bioproduct mill planned to build in Kemi, Finland. The company filed an EIA programme in accordance with the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure with the Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). The environmental impacts of the bioproduct mill in Kemi have been assessed based on the EIA programme. Through public notice, the programme was available for statements and comments from the public from 17 May to 17 June 2019.

Biofuel

The EIA process for Metsä Fibre’s bioproduct mill in Kemi is progressing

Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, started the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in May 2019 for the bioproduct mill planned to build in Kemi, Finland. The company filed an EIA programme in accordance with the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure with the Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). The environmental impacts of the bioproduct mill in Kemi have been assessed based on the EIA programme. Through public notice, the programme was available for statements and comments from the public from 17 May to 17 June 2019.

The Lapland ELY Centre issued a statement on the EIA programme today 17 July 2019. The ELY Centre states that the EIA programme of the Kemi bioproduct mill has dealt with the accuracy of the programme in sufficient detail. The programme meets the requirements set out in the EIA Act and Regulation. The statement also includes that the evaluation programme provides a good basis for the EIA of the bioproduct mill and the preparation of the next phase of the EIA. In addition to the statement including aspects and requirements issued by the ELY Centre, Metsä Fibre will also take statements and comments from the public into account. A total of 20 statements were submitted to the ELY Centre.

The EIA process will continue as a statutory assessment, and the monitoring group will hold its next meeting in August 2019 to review the work that has been completed. The group consists of people who have an interest in the possible bioproduct mill and its environmental impacts because of their job or position of trust. The group was formed by inviting key operators in the area to join. 

The EIA process will be completed in September 2019, and a public event will be held after its completion. The Lapland ELY Centre will then issue a justified resolution, which the Regional State Administrative Agency takes into account when granting an environmental permit.