Russian Kaliningrad State Medical Inspection Service Approved Purification Facilities Installation on Zepruss Pulp and Paper Mill Worth EUR 7 Million

Dec 11, 2003. /Lesprom Network/. Russian Kaliningrad State Medical Inspection Service approved purification facilities installation on Zepruss pulp and paper mill, Prime-Tass quting Saint-Petersburg City ecology examination center (designer of the project) public-affairs reported. The project cost is EUR 7 million. In accordance with the project, Krofta local sewage purification facilities, two-stage purification facilities will be installed. Besides, actual pulp production technology will be changed to hypochlorine technology. The project will be fulfilled in 2004-2006. Saint-Petersburg City ecology examination center also approved Zepress reconstruction project. The cost of the project has not been disclosed yet, though it is known that in 1998-2001 Zepruss invested $15 million in production reconstruction including the non-chlorine pulp bleaching project. Earlier Russian Ministry of Natural Resources issued an order to stop Sovetsky, Zepruss and Nemansky pulp and paper mills operation - the 3 enterprises located in Kaliningrad region. The closure was initiated by the constant excess of sewage dumping norms by the enterprises. In early December Ministry of Natural Resources reached an agreement with Zepruss and Sovetsky. In accordance with the new agreement, both enterprises were to present environmenta; protection projects launching purification facilities and technological modernization. Last week Russian Kaliningrad State Medical Inspection Service approved Zepruss reconstruction and purification facilities installation projects. State environment examination will be carried out on the enterprise which will decide on the future enterprise operation. Zepruss participation in Kaliningrad local budget is estimated at 20%. Sovetsky pulp and paper mill located in Kaliningrad region will also agree the project of purification facilities installation with Saint-Petersburg City ecology examination center.