Paper Mill Gains Eco Management Accreditation

The mill that makes Galerie Lite, Galerie Brite and Galerie Fine coated publishing papers has won Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS ) accreditation for the first time.

M-real's Kirkniemi Mill in Finland, has secured the accreditation which covers the paper mill and nearby power plant, which function in close cooperation.

In addition to environmental issues, the EMAS statement also deals with matters such as occupational safety and well-being.

Mill Manager of the Kirkniemi Mill, Matti Savelainen, commented: "I am happy to announce the completion of our first EMAS statement.

It required a lot of work but the process was useful, not only in terms of continuously developing our own activities but also as a form of stakeholder communication." He continued: "The statement provides our customers with valuable information to support their decision making and communications.

It also confirms we deal with environmental questions systematically and accordance with continuous development principles.

I also believe the residents of the area surrounding the mill appreciate this transparent, impartial information about our operations." The Kirkniemi Mill's environmental emissions have been reducedover the past 20 years, even though the mill's production volume has doubled over the same period.

Savelainen continued: "In our view, sustainable development and respect for the environment do not contradict efficient production.

On the contrary, with our production in top shape we can focus on handling environmental matters in an exemplary manner." EMAS is a voluntary environmental management system that can be followed by organisations wanting to examine and report on the environmental impact of all their activities, said M-real.

It is also an instrument for communicating an organisation's environmental issues to stakeholders.

EMAS statements are confirmed by an impartial, accredited EMAS verifier.

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