UPM-Biofore-Magazine-2-2019

“Everything that has to do with education, health, social security, public and road safety, housing and all aspects that have to do with people’s lives are being considered in the development program.”

– Àlvaro García

the mill’s effluent to be minimal. “UPMwill construct a wastewater treatment plant that uses the best available technology,” says Rodgers. “In other words, they will build a spectacular treatment system. It will treat the waste materials and produce a very high-quality effluent that will conform to the high standards that Uruguay has set for the mill.” Rodgers adds that the Uruguayan government will increase the minimum flow of the Rio Negro river which flows downstream from the nearby hydroelectric dam. This will be done in accordance with the guidelines defined by the Environmental Directorate of Uruguay and based on the results of the Environmental impact study of the pulp mill. In doing so, he states that the overall health of the river should improve. Rodgers is confident that the regulators in Uruguay will hold the newmill to the same high standards as they held UPM’s first plant in Fray Bentos. “With the Fray Bentos mill, which was the first large pulp mill in the country, the Uruguayan government actually had real-time monitoring that was reported in their office on an ongoing basis, so at any point in time they could look at the actual performance of the mill,” says Rodgers.

these associated developments through its “Central Region Program”. “Everything that has to do with education, health, social security, public and road safety, housing and all aspects that have to do with people's lives are being considered in this Central Region Program,” he says. Education will be especially important in making sure that Duraznenses and other Uruguayans are able to benefit from the investment. Vidalín estimates that 5% of the jobs created by the newmill in Durazno will be taken by university- educated professionals with an additional 10% going to technicians and specialists. “Aware of the need for training for employment, this administration together with institutions such as INEFOP (Uruguay’s National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training), is carrying out training plans so that our people can access the upcoming job offers,” says Vidalín. Conforming to world-class eco standards Another concern for both residents and Uruguayans at large is the environment. Bruce Rodgers , an environmental consultant at Ecometrix who helped advise UPM on the placement of their second plant, expects the environmental impact of

Building a better Uruguay Vidalín and García share Rodgers’ belief that the environmental impact of the plant will be minimal. The Fray Bentos mill, says Vidalín, has had excellent environmental performance since it came online 12 years ago, and cites it as one of the reasons why he is confident that there will be no adverse environmental impact fromthe new mill. Here, UPM’s Finnish roots have a role to play as well. The fact that Finland is known for its commitment to environmental sustainability has also helped inspire confidence in UPM’s operations among local officials. “An investment of this kind is a sustainable development, which considers the economic, environmental and social aspects altogether,” García adds. “For Uruguay, this is very important.” In turn, Vidalín and García hope that the success of UPM’s two pulp mills in Uruguay will inspire more investments of a similar nature. “In addition to the benefits that the investment itself offers, it is a great signal to the world that Uruguay is a serious, responsible country, where there is respect for institutions and respect for investors,” says García. “It is a big boost for global investors to continue believing in Uruguay and investing in Uruguay.” 

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