Consumables
Metso promotes sustainable development at the World EXPO in Shanghai
Tuesday 25. May 2010 - Metso and Chinese pulp and paper industry top executives gathered together on May 18 in an industry summit focusing on the promotion of sustainable development in the industry. The event, supported by China Paper Industry Chamber of Commerce, took place in the Finland pavilion at the Shanghai World EXPO, and was followed by an awards ceremony, hosted by Metso.
“Ever increasing energy costs and emissions regulations, as well as the need to decrease fresh water usage are major considerations for the process industry around the world today. Pulp and paper industry is no exception. Investment in the development and implementation of the best available technology is the only way to boost energy and materials efficiency, and to reduce emissions and water consumption”, states Ari Harmaala, President of Metso Operations in China.
The event focused on two main themes: How to solve the contradiction between shortage of raw material supply and rapid growth in investments in China, and how to produce pulp and paper in a sustainable way. Today, carbon emissions and ecological sustainability are already of high concern in China, but they are expected to grow in importance as stricter policies are being implemented.
China is the worlds leading producer of paper and board with its annual production of over 80 million tons. Due to rapid investment in the industry since 1990s, China has the most modern pulp and paper making fleet in the world. Metso has played a key role in this development by having supplied about 35 percent of Chinas paper and board machine capacity built since 2000, thus earning its position as the market leader in China.
Since the outset of its pulp and paper operations in China in the 1950s, Metsos scope of operations has expanded to include the mining, construction, energy and recycling industries. Today, Metso employs close to 3,000 professionals in 24 local subsidiaries and sales and service outlets in China. In 2010, two new locations will be inaugurated. One of them is the technology center to be opened in Shanghai on May 28 comprising a state-of-the-art valve factory and a supply center as well as assembly and testing facilities for process automation systems. In fall 2010, Metso will open its third service center in China, in Zibo, Shandong, for the pulp and paper industry.
Metso is one of the sponsors of the Finland pavilion at the World EXPO. During the EXPO, Metso will arrange several targeted customer events focusing on clean solutions that help overcome demanding process industry challenges regarding eco-efficient operations.