Today, Finnish-Swedish paper manufacturer Stora Enso celebrated the conversion of its Oulu mill. At a ceremony attended by Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin, the 23,000-employee manufacturer inaugurated the switch from coated paper production to high-quality kraftliner.
This conversion project decided in May 2019 required 350 million euros. The new machine is expected to reach its production capacity by the end of June 2021, a capacity of 450,000 tons annually.
"Today's ribbon cutting celebrates a completed project, annica Bresky, president and CEO of Stora Enso, said in a statement. Packaging already accounts for more than 40 percent of our total sales today. The additional kraftliner capacity in Oulu allows us to further strengthen Stora Enso's offering in global markets with significant room for growth."
A strong kraftliner for e-commerce and food
Stora Enso's AvantForte product has three layers of fiber, making it the strongest kraftliner in Stora Enso's portfolio. It is intended for the manufacture of fresh, fatty or wet food packaging and high-end e-commerce.
"It is very rewarding to produce a large premium capacity for the growing packaging board market, added Hannu Kasurinen, Executive Vice President, Packaging Materials Division. The pandemic has clearly played a role in changing consumer habits, such as online shopping and healthy eating - two areas where renewable packaging materials play an important role. Now, with AvantForte, our high-quality kraftliner from Oulu, we have a new selection of premium products we can offer our customers."
