(News from RISI) SCA, the tire manufacturer Nokian Renkaat and the energy companies Leppäkosken Sähkö and Tampereen Sähkölaitos are evaluating whether to build a joint energy production facility at the site of Leppäkosken Energia in Nokia, near Tampere, in Finland, according to a statement from Leppäkosken Energia.
The new facility would supply steam to SCA Tissue Finland’s 80,000 tpy Nokia tissue mill and Nokian Renkaat’s factory as well as district heat to the towns of Nokia and Tampere.
The parties have been discussing a cooperation agreement which aims to determine the total cost of the project and any permit issues relating to the venture.
“By working together we can achieve significant benefits in terms of investment costs, production efficiency, risk control and financing,” the parties said.
The capacity of the plant will be determined during spring, but initial estimates have put it at 70-90 MW.
The plant would run mainly on domestically available wood chips and possibly peat, but also biological and deinking sludge from SCA’s Nokia mill.
SCA has been considering building a new 41 MW steam boiler at its Nokia mill and applied for an environmental and operating permit for the plant last year.
SCA did not respond to requests for comment regarding the new joint plans and what these mean for its own energy initiative.
