Imatra, Nymölla, Veitsiluoto and Wisconsin Rapids pulp mills have long well-established partnerships with external companies that manufacture Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) adjacent to the mill sites.

PCC is manufactured by reacting carbon dioxide with slaked lime. The carbon dioxide is obtained from the flue gases from the pulp mills’ power boilers and lime kilns. The PPC can then be sold back to the paper mills for use as a filler in the manufacture of coated and uncoated paper.

The diversion of the flue gases to PCC production reduces carbon dioxide emissions from Stora Enso’s mills. In 2004 carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 67 000 tonnes due to the production of PCC. Another advantage of this type of local partnership is that it reduces costs and emissions related to the transportation of the PCC, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions in two distinct ways.