The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on 18 August in Oulu, Finland. The new line was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, Chair of Stora Enso’s Board of Directors Kari Jordan, President and CEO of Stora Enso Hans Sohlström, and Oulu mill’s Chief Shop Steward Olli-Pekka Kaikkonen. Stora Enso’s Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, the production site supports Finland’s competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value.
Stora Enso has invested EUR 1.1 billion in the now inaugurated production line together with other developments on the site area, amounting to a total of approximately 1.7 billion investment in the entire Oulu mill in 2019–2025. The investments have made it possible to convert former paper machines into board lines utilising 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. Consumer packaging made from wood fibers has great potential to replace plastic packaging and our materials are designed for existing recycling streams. The nearly carbon-neutral production site in Oulu is a prime example of an investment in bioeconomy, and it concretely contributes to the transition from fossil materials to renewable and recyclable packaging,” says Hans Sohlström, Stora Enso’s President and CEO.
The Oulu mill’s new production line utilises Stora Enso’s patented FiberLight Tec™ fiber processing technology. 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, 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. This means also that they have very high added value. Our mill’s location next to the deep port enables efficient logistics worldwide throughout the year. It is important for us to be involved in mitigating climate change,” says Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Oulu Business Unit.
“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 utilise bark and sawdust for energy production. The bioenergy produced in the mill is used for district heating in Oulu,” continues Matti Lielahti.
The Oulu site strengthens the attractiveness and vitality of the region
Stora Enso’s Oulu site has a long tradition in the region with the mill dating back to the 1930’s. Today, it employs more than 900 people directly and indirectly many times more in the entire supply chain, wood transport, logistics, maintenance and service providers in the area.
“Stora Enso’s billion-euro investment in Oulu will improve export operations, the vitality and competitiveness of the region and also of Northern Finland and bring more permanent jobs. We are pleased to actively contribute to the implementation of significant green transition industrial policy investments in accordance with our growth strategy,” says Ari Alatossava, Mayor of Oulu.
Stora Enso’s new consumer packaging board line in Oulu is expected to reach its full capacity of 750,000 tonnes latest by 2027, when its annual sales are anticipated to be approximately EUR 800 million.
