The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on August 18 in Oulu, Finland.
“Stora Enso‘s Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy,” the company said in a statement. “At the same time, the production site supports Finland’s competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value.”
Stora Enso has invested 1.1 billion euros in the now-inaugurated production line together with other developments on the site area, amounting to a total of approximately 1.7 billion euros invested in the entire Oulu mill from 2019 to 2025.
The investments have made it possible to convert former paper machines into board lines utilizing the latest technology, while the environmental impact has been reduced by cutting fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 90%. The mill produces folding boxboard, kraftliners, paper bag material, and unbleached softwood pulp. Board materials are suitable for direct contact with food. Almost all of the Oulu mill’s production is exported.
“The Oulu production site is a strategically significant investment as it strengthens our leading position in high added-value renewable packaging materials and increases Finland’s export revenue significantly,” says Hans Sohlström, Stora Enso’s President and CEO. “Consumer packaging made from wood fibers has great potential to replace plastic packaging, and our materials are designed for existing recycling streams.”
The Oulu mill’s new production line utilizes Stora Enso’s patented FiberLight Tec™ fiber processing technology. The technology enables the production of lighter, yet robust and durable boards. End products include, for example, different cardboard packaging for frozen, cold and dry food products, medicines, and beverage multipacks.
“Our folding box board can be up to a third lighter than traditional boards,” said Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Oulu Business Unit, adding that “the material is efficient and durable and helps our customers to reduce the consumption of packaging material and at the same time reduce their transport emissions.”
The mill’s location next to the deep port enables efficient logistics worldwide throughout the year, Lielahti notes.
“We mainly use pulpwood purchased from private forest owners in Finland, small-diameter wood, and wood chips from our sawmills for board production. We also utilize bark and sawdust for energy production. The bioenergy produced in the mill is used for district heating in Oulu,” Lielahti said.
Stora Enso’s new consumer packaging board line in Oulu is expected to reach its full capacity of 750,000 tons no later than 2027, when its annual sales are anticipated to be approximately 800 million euros.
