On the World Water Day, March 22, Kemira took part in the XII International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” in St. Petersburg, Russia. Established to support and promote the work of the Helsinki Commission known as HELCOM, the Baltic Sea Day is considered to be an important regional forum to raise public awareness of the state of the Baltic marine environment and to boost support towards actions needed to protect the sea. The event gathered around 600 participants including government officials, scientists, business leaders as well as representatives of regional organizations and NGO’s.
Sludge utilization as one of the sustainability trends
The program of the Baltic Sea Day included main seminar and round tables on a wide range of topics. Kemira’s roundtable was titled “New solutions and old challenges in wastewater treatment” and it was organized with the support of the BSAG Foundation, Finland and in successful cooperation with HELCOM and the main organizer of the conference SpbOO”Ecology and Business”. The roundtable gathered around 50 stakeholders.
Kemira and Vodokanal St.Petersburg, LLC Ecovod, Russia presented technical innovative solutions in phosphorus removal, energy efficient waste water and sludge treatment solutions. The utilization of sludge as a bio-gas and nitrogen source was pointed out as one of the sustainability trends. Also the funding opportunities for middle- and small-scale projects were discussed by the NIB BSAP Fund and the John Nurminen Foundation from Finland.
From left: Aija Jantunen, Kemira; Seppo Kiiskinen, LLC Ecovod and Olga Rublevskaya, Vodokanal St. Petersburg
Novel technologies
“One of the key take aways from Kemira’s round table was the importance of the basic research which is needed for developing requirements and foundation for the legislation. Also it was noted that the phosphorous removal is and will continue to be very important issue for the cleaner future of the Baltic Sea.” says Aija Jantunen, the head of Kemira’s Municipal & Industrial segment’s operations in Finland and the Baltic countries.
“It’s important to exchange ideas about the best practices and the most novel technologies. One example presented in the roundtable was the Geotube which could offer new solutions for the very complicated treatment of sludge and ash ponds which is one of the challenges in waste water treatment in Russia and CIS countries.” concludes Jantunen, Kemira’s key speakers in the round table.