Political Pressure to Save Stora Enso Pulp Mill Grows

Stora Enso could still adjust its plans to shut down its pulp mill in Kemijärvi, according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Employment and Industries, Erkki Virtanen. Last October, the Finnish-Swedish forest products giant announced it would shut down factories in Kemijärvi, Anjalankoski and Summa, as well as in Norrsundet, Sweden. Some 1,100 jobs would be cut. However, Virtanen said political pressure to save the wood processing industry in Lapland is growing. "There are certain social pressures facing Stora Enso. If the decision is not reversed, it can at least be altered somewhat," he said. Virtanen did not specify what those changes might be. Manninen: Wood Processing Will Continue in Kemijärvi MP Hannes Manninen from the Lapland constituency said he believes pulp processing will continue in Kemijärvi. The former Minister of Regional and Municipal Affairs said that Stora Enso's largest shareholder, the Finnish state, is continuing talks concerning the Kemijärvi plant. Manninen said that Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and Minister of Employment and Industries Mauri Pekkarinen have been negotiating with Stora Enso in order to find a solution. He added that regional aspects are being considered. "Unfortunately when a public company is in question, government representatives, ministers and the prime minister cannot publicly discuss everything they've done. But a lot of work is going on to remedy the situation," he said. Manninen did not wish to speculate whether Stora Enso may keep the Kemijärvi mill up and running, or sell it. He did say, however, that he has a firm belief that wood processing in some form will continue in the town. Protest to Save Mill Last week, around 300 factory employees and supporters filled the Kemijärvi plant's cafeteria to protest the closure of the factory. Meanwhile Minister Jyri Häkämies, who is responsible for ownership steering of state companies, said forcing the company to keep the factory would not solve anything. He said the closure is due to a shortage of raw material. Matti Vikkula, the President and CEO of Ruukki Group, argued that the pulp market is growing. He added he was surprised by the claims made by Häkämies. Forest company Ruukki Group said it was interested in buying the Kemijärvi factory. However Stora Enso said it does not plan to sell the plant. YLE