SWECO’s subsidiary PIC Engineering has been awarded a contract worth more than 1.6 million euros for energy and environmental optimisation of the Billerud paper mill in Skärblacka, Sweden.

The goal of the project is to improve the paper mill’s capacity for self-production of biomass electricity as a means for optimising energy efficiency. PIC Engineering has been given the task of engineering and designing all of the required rebuilding and construction.

“The order from Billerud is extremely gratifying and demonstrates that our specialised consulting services are sought after within the pulp and paper industry,” advises Eva Wigren, Managing Director for PIC Engineering in Sweden.

Once completed the project will boost the mill’s self-supply of electricity from 20 to 55 per cent, equal to nearly 300 GWh/year. Among other things, the paper mill’s bark boiler and steam turbine will be replaced. The assignment will run until mid-year 2006.

PIC Engineering is Finland’s second largest industrial engineering consultancy with over 1,000 employees, of whom some 200 are in Sweden.