(UPM, Montevideo, 18 October 2019) - UPM has begun construction works for 60 permanent houses in Paso de los Toros and Pueblo Centenario in plots provided by the State. This project is within the framework of the housing solution plan for construction of UPM’s second pulp mill in Uruguay. It is estimated that the works will be completed in the second half of 2020 and, once the construction stage of the pulp mill is completed, these houses will be transferred to the state.
The 60 permanent houses are 75 m2 each and have three bedrooms. They are designed with good levels of comfort and adequate services, and the plots will have recreational areas, connectivity, security and transportation systems to and from the workplace, among other aspects. There will be 52 houses in Paso de los Toros and eight in Pueblo Centenario.
Once the construction stage of the pulp mill is finalized, these permanent houses will be transferred to the State. The final use will be defined by the Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment (MVOTMA) of Uruguay.
At the same time, construction works continue on temporary housing solutions located in the communities of Paso de los Toros, Pueblo Centenario, Carlos Reyles and Durazno city with total capacity for 5,000 people.
The construction of all the accommodation is being undertaken by Uruguayan companies, mostly from the interior of the country, and it is estimated this will generate employment for some 400 people at the construction peak.
The housing solutions plan is a complementary project to the construction of the pulp mill and was developed jointly with the MVOTMA, through the National Directorate of Land Planning (DINOT) and the National Directorate of Housing (DINAVI), the Planning and Budget Office (OPP), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MTSS), the local authorities of Durazno and Tacuarembó departments, and UPM. Its main objective is the orderly arrival of workers as well as their positive integration into the communities.
UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. We employ around 19,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.5 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com
Follow UPM on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | #UPM #biofore #beyondfossils
UPM in Uruguay
UPM's operations in Uruguay include the Fray Bentos pulp mill, the UPM Forestal Oriental forestry and wood sourcing company with its two nurseries, as well as the UPM Foundation.
UPM Forestal Oriental manages about 250,000 hectares of plantable land including own and Fomento partner producers' land. All of UPM's forest plantations are certified.
The Fray Bentos pulp mill started operations in 2007 and remains one of the world's most modern and efficient pulp mills. Its annual production capacity is 1.3 million tonnes of eucalyptus pulp. Besides pulp, the Fray Bentos mill is a significant biomass-based energy producer, accounting 8% of Uruguay's total energy production. The mill's wood raw material comes from sustainably managed local plantations.
Founded in 2006, the UPM Foundation works in coordination with local stakeholders to promote the development of rural communities through education, training and entrepreneurship, fostering a culture of safety and healthy living.
UPM employs directly and indirectly altogether 7,000 people in Uruguay and its contribution to Uruguay's GDP is 1.4%. www.upm.uy