UPM-Biofore-Magazine-3-2016-EN

TEXT MATTI REMES   PHOTOGRAPHY TUOMAS UUSHEIMO

A good example is offered by the UPMRauma mill, where efficient collaboration in effluent treatment has significantly reduced the amount of nutrients ending up in the Baltic Sea. Since 2002, the mill has been co-treating both its own and the city’s effluents. According to Päivi Rissanen , Director, Environment & Responsibility, UPMPaper ENA (Europe &North America), the different types of effluent balance each other out very well in biological treatment. “The city’s effluents have surplus nutrients that need to be removed during the treatment process, whereas forest industry effluents are lacking in nutrients and need to be enriched in order to remove the organic load,” Rissanen says. By co-treating the two effluent types, virgin nutrients no longer need to be added to the process. Other recycled nutrients can be used if needed.

NUTRIENT RECYCLING for a healthier Baltic Sea

Nearly 100% of nutrients recovered

Committed to a cleaner Baltic Sea Rissanen describes nutrient recycling as a good example of the circular economy, where natural resources are recycled and reused as many times as possible. “For example, phosphorus is an exhaustible resource that will eventually run out. The Rauma mill’s co-treatment model shows that it’s possible to use recycled nutrients in new applications at other production facilities.” UPM is currently identifying other possible sources of similar nutrients near its other mills. Possible options would be the sidestreams and effluents from other industries or biogas plants. UPM’s target is to start using 100% recycled nutrients in all of its effluent treatment plants by 2030. This target is written into UPM’s commitment to the Baltic Sea Action

Group (BSAG), which promotes the restoration of the Baltic Sea’s ecological balance. One of the BSAG’s main tools is to secure commitments from companies and organizations pledging concrete actions to improve the ecological status of the Baltic Sea. UPM is a long-termdonator and supporter of the BSAG. Responsible water management is also included in UPM’s Biofore Share and Care programme, which fosters collaborative initiatives with partners in areas that support UPM’s responsibility targets. “We want to highlight the significance of water resources and sustainable water management all around the world,” Rissanen emphasizes. 

Advanced nutrient recovery and recycling practices have directly reduced pollution of local water resources. “Nearly 100% of the nitrogen and phosphorus in the city’s effluents can be reused at the co-treatment plant, so they no longer contribute to the eutrophication of the sea ,” notes Rissanen. The waste heat derived from the effluents is used to dry out sludge from the treatment plant, which is in turn used in energy and Rauma city’s district heating production. The ash generated in the process is reused in landscaping applications. Rissanen points out that co-treatment brings welcome cost savings. The City of Rauma would otherwise have had to make further investments in nitrogen removal at its own effluent treatment plant.

In line with its sustainable water management principles, UPM is employing novel approaches to minimize its impact on local water resources.

UPM Rauma Mill’s efficient collaboration in effluent treatment has significantly reduced the amount of nutrients ending up in the Baltic Sea.

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