Risto Kotilainen works as a project manager in the commissioning project of the lignin unit of UPM's biorefinery in Leuna, located in the former East Germany near Leipzig.
“We check all equipment, instruments and automation systems before actual commissioning, and eventually we are also involved in the start-up phase of the plant. We are currently doing a lot of field inspections, i.e. checking that everything is installed and connected correctly and that automation tests have been completed. We also do so-called water runs, where the process equipment is rinsed with water before actual commissioning.”
Kotilainen, who previously worked as an operations manager at the Lappeenranta biorefinery, started on the project in August 2022.
“I was interested in the project itself: I like fast-paced projects where a lot is happening. The team spirit also grows when you get small wins and things going.”
This is the second time Kotilainen has worked on a mill commissioning project in Germany. In 2007–2008, he worked for Myllykoski Oyj on the commissioning of the fiber line at the new Plattling paper mill near Munich.
“Thanks to my previous experience, I knew I would be comfortable in Germany. German society is quite easy for a Finn, and there are no big differences in work culture, for example. There may be a bit more bureaucracy and rules in Germany, but here you can trust what people say and promise in the same way as in Finland.”
“I really like the international work environment and the fact that I get to work with people from different countries.”
The official working language at the biorefinery is English, but a good command of German is helpful as the conversation sometimes turns to German.
Green Leipzig
In three years, Risto Kotilainen has settled in Leipzig, a city roughly the size of Helsinki, perfectly.
"Leipzig has been a really positive surprise. Nature is close by, but there are also plenty of events. I am also a passionate jogger, I run 40–60 kilometers a week, and the forests and parks near the city center are really great places"
The city's location is excellent, as it is a short journey to everywhere: for example, you can reach Berlin in an hour and a half and Prague in two and a half.
"In my free time, I will be visiting many nature destinations in southern Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland."
A German female friend has encouraged me to return home, thanks to whom my social networks have expanded.
"It's also easy to get to know locals through hobbies. There's also an active Finnish-German society here, whose members are really interested in Finns and Finnish culture."
Staying permanently is of interest
The current contract will last at least another year, but Kotilainen has considered staying in Germany permanently.
“At least, if there are interesting tasks available after the project, staying is a viable option,” he says.
He hasn't felt homesick in a long time.
"At the very beginning, I missed basic Finnish things, such as a sauna or the activities associated with living in a detached house, but over time, life in Germany has become more complete. For example, I recently got an allotment garden plot, where hoeing provides a good counterbalance to work."
However, adult children and a summer cottage ensure that ties to Finland are also maintained.
