M-real's environmental report 2001

M-real's environmental report 2001

The environmental work carried out within M-real during 2001 was characterised
by change and expansive initiatives. These include a new environmental policy,
new ways of reporting the company's environmental work, vital local
environmental improvements, and reduced total emissions. 

New environmental policy
The new environmental policy established during the year is directly related to
the values and strategies applied throughout the company. Consistent with
overall company targets, it will provide clear and natural guidelines for the
company's operations. A recently initiated information process directed at all
21,500 employees will continue throughout most of 2002. 

Paper Profile launched
In June 2001 Paper Profile, a standardised environmental product declaration,
was launched. The standard was jointly developed by M-real and other leading
manufacturers. M-real has provided Paper Profile declarations for all its paper
products and they are easily available via the company's web site,
www.m-real.com. The new environmental declarations enable and facilitate
comparisons between alternative paper products based on a number of
environmental parameters. 

Reduced total emissions
During the year, M-real's total emissions of various substances known to affect
the environment were reduced by five per cent. Emissions of acidifying
substances and of substances causing eutrophication were reduced by four and
eight per cent, respectively. During the same period, emissions of substances
contributing to the greenhouse effect increased by four per cent. Improved
treatment plants for wastewater and new solutions for energy provision have
contributed positively to the environment. Where increased emissions have
occurred, the main reasons are due to structural changes within the company and
to reduced demand for the company's products. However, for the long term, these
structural changes will facilitate more specialised production at the various
mills, which, in turn, is expected to enable reduced emissions. 

Increased environmental investments
In 2001, M-real's environmentally-related investments amounted to 56 million
euro (30 million euro in 2000). Environmentally related operational costs
amounted to 65 million euro (56 million euro in 2000). 


M-REAL DEVELOPS CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

During the ten years that M-real has published environmental reports, the
company has won several distinctions for its high standard of reporting.
Analysts and environmental specialists in particular have appreciated the
reports for their clear, informative descriptions and thorough reporting of
data. 

"We want to make our environmental reports more accessible for all interested
parties," says Armi Temmes, Vice President Environmental Affairs. "This year,
M-real's environmental report focuses on our customers. And, by presenting our
environmental work from different perspectives-the company, products and
operations-we hope to attract more readers." 


IMPORTANT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES DURING

Finland
In June 2001, a new mill in Joutseno for the manufacture of bleached
chemi-thermomechanical pulp came on stream. The mill features a near-closed
system where a mere three per cent of all process water needs to be treated. 

Sweden
The Husum paper mill is currently introducing a new, coated fine paper with a
range of benefits. The visual print characteristics offered by the new paper
effectively enable the customer to use a paper with 20 percent lower grammage.
It also consumes less raw materials and less energy during transport.
Furthermore, end-users will generate smaller volumes of waste. 

Austria
In Hallein, a 4-year programme of environmental investments entered its final
phase. In total, some 33 million euro has been invested. This includes the
installation of a new, highly efficient treatment plant for wastewater. In 2001
this resulted in 50 per cent lower emission of biological oxygen demand (BOD).
This trend will continue during 2002. 

France
Between 2000 and 2001, the mill in Pont Sainte Maxence effectively reduced
emissions of sulphur from 708 tonnes to zero by replacing heavy fuel oils, used
for heating, with natural gas. 

Great Britain
At the New Thames mill, where recycled paper is manufactured, a new plant for
incineration of bio and de-inking sludge is being built. Scheduled to be
operational in 2003, it is designed to meet the new EU directives on waste
incineration. 

For further information:
Armi Temmes, Vice President, Environmental affairs,
telephone +358 10 469 4140, mobile +358 50 598 7661
or
Kristina Larsson, M-real Corporate communications,
telephone +46 663 18973, mobile +46 70 263 0030


M-real is one of Europe's leading suppliers of printing, office and magazine
papers and consumer packaging solutions. M-real helps its customers in
different segments to make the most of the potential which high-quality paper
and board offer for demanding end uses. Typical examples of end-uses are
magazines, consumer packaging, art books and brochures. 

M-real focuses on five core businesses: Publishing, Commercial printing, Home &
Office, Consumer packaging and Map Merchant Group. For our customers, the main
interface with the company is the M-real alliance's sales network covering more
than 70 countries world-wide. 

M-real's main market area is Europe, where the company's production facilities
are located. M-real had turnover in 2001 of about seven billion euros and it
employed approximately 21 500 people. M-real's share is listed on Helsinki
Stock Exchange. 
 
An environmental report illustration is available to download. 
The environmental report in digital format is available to download.