FINLAND -- The ramp-up of the UPM Kymi pulp mill expansion has proceeded well on schedule, the company said on Tuesday. The EUR 160 million UPM investment project was started in the spring of 2014 and has now proceeded to final finishing work.

The new debarking plant started operation in June, the modernisation of the softwood fibre line was finished in August and the biggest project, the new pulp drying machine, started operation in August-September - approximately one month ahead of schedule. During the ramp-up, pulp production has exceeded expectations and the quality of pulp has improved. The entire Kymi pulp and paper mill integrate is benefiting from the improvements in energy efficiency and flexibility of operations.

UPM invests in the Kymi pulp mill to strengthen its position in the growing end-use sectors of the global pulp market. As the result of this investment, annual production capacity at the Kymi mill will increase by 170,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes of bleached northern softwood and birch pulp.

The investment will have a positive effect on the employment rates and businesses in the region. The increasing use of wood in the mill integrate will bring wood harvest and transportation work for forest industry professionals and stumpage earnings for forest owners.