Helsinki, Finland, 2015-12-16 08:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STORA ENSO OYJ PRESS RELEASE 16 December 2015 at 9.00 EET
The community project is benefiting 2 600 people in rural Guangxi. A three-year corporate responsibility initiative on water stewardship run by Stora Enso and the global chemicals company Kemira in Guangxi Province in Southern China has now been completed. Launched in 2013, the initiative was designed to find new responsible water management solutions through stakeholder engagement, local community work, and capacity building. Pilot projects launched by Stora Enso and Kemira in the villages of Nahupo, Shengping, and Baimei in the spring of 2015 have addressed local concerns such as poor sewage treatment and water supply systems. During the six-month construction phase, a total of 12.7 kilometres of water and sewage piping were laid, with water storage tanks and artificial wetlands also built. The projects have given almost 2 600 villagers better access to clean water. Stora Enso and Kemira also trained local villagers to enable them to maintain the new infrastructure in the long term. A survey revealed that villagers are highly satisfied with the project and its results. Other related developments over the past two years have also helped to increase Guangxi residents’ awareness of how to use water responsibly. “Active engagement with local residents has been essential in making this project a success,” says Noel Morrin , Stora Enso’s EVP for Sustainability. “The results have been very positive, and we look forward to learning more about the long-term benefits.” "I recently visited the villages and watched the new systems in operation,” says Tomas Biström , Director of Corporate Responsibility at Kemira. “They are well-suited for the local context, and do what they’re expected to do – with no complicated maintenance work or skills required – by improving access to clean water and treating wastewater more efficiently and responsibly." For more details on the project see http://waterguangxi.com .
For further information, please contact:
Stora Enso Ulrika Lilja, EVP Communications, tel. +46 1046 71668 Noel Morrin, EVP Sustainability, tel. +46 7307 68898
Kemira Oyj Tomas Biström, Director, Corporate Responsibility Tel. +358 40 577 0446
Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wood and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace non-renewable materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 27 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2014 were EUR 10.2 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. www.storaenso.com
Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water-intensive industries. We provide expertise, application know-how and chemicals that improve our customers’ water, energy and raw material efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, oil & gas, mining and water treatment. In 2014, Kemira’s annual revenue was EUR 2.1 billion and we employed approximately 4,250 people. Kemira shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.kemira.com
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