In Rauma, Metsä plans to process around 1.5 million m³ of log wood a year © Metsä Fibre
After almost two and a half years of construction, Metsä was able to complete the test runs in Rauma and start production. With around €260 million, it was the biggest investment in Finnish sawmill history.
According to the group, the new sawmill is a global pioneer in terms of technology and artificial intelligence in the timber industry. Controlled from a central control room, the lumber is produced fully automatically without any manual work.
The lumber production is fully automated – from the entry of the sawmill to its exit © Metsä Fibre
Furthermore, the state-of-the-art sawmill does not have a lumber warehouse. Every package of lumber is automatically wrapped and transported to the adjacent port. From the port, Metsä wants to supply Finnish lumber to European and Asian markets in particular.
Built within striking distance of the group’s own pulp mill, the entire processing of the log wood takes place inside the company.
“Our sawmill in Rauma represents an important leap for the entire sawmill industry. It will benefit from the development work we carried out here together with machine manufacturers,” Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre, said about the new plant going into operation.
