UPM invested in the Kymi pulp mill to strengthen its position in the growing end-use segments of the global pulp market. The investment marks a production capacity increase of 170,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes of bleached northern softwood and birch pulp annually.
"The construction of a competitive forest industry mill complex requires perseverance, and Kymi has maintained its competitiveness through operational efficiency and investments. In the past ten years, UPM has invested approximately Euro 550 million in the Kymi pulp mill and so far in the 21st century over Euro 900 million in total in the Kymi mill region," says Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO of UPM.
Looking to the future competitiveness of the Finnish forest industry, Pesonen emphasised the significant impact of the operating environment and the role of the government. The government must keep its promise not to increase costs for the industry through political decisions.
The labour market furthermore needs to be able to negotiate local agreements in order to ensure operational efficiency and delivery reliability to customers in varying demand situations. In addition, Pesonen highlighted the importance of an efficient wood supply chain and measures to ensure a stable wood supply from private forest owners.