Growth in the production of paperboard packaging is a long-term strategic goal for Stora Enso. To this end, the Finnish-Swedish paper group announces a ?97 million expansion of its paperboard production at its Skoghall site in Sweden and also launches a preliminary study to convert a production line at its Oulu site in Finland into a packaging paperboard line.
Stora Enso's Skoghall site produces packaging board for liquids, dry food and unbleached coated kraftliner. The annual capacity is currently 800,000 tons per year.
"Skoghall is one of our main integrated production sites for environmentally friendly packaging materials, says Hannu Kasurinen, executive vice president of Stora Enso's Packaging Materials Division. The investment strengthens Stora Enso's ability to produce high-quality, competitively priced consumer cartons in the key growth segments of liquid and food packaging."
With this 97 million euro investment, its maximum production will be increased by approximately 100,000 tons (subject to environmental permits). The work will be completed in the second half of 2023.
At its paper mill in Oulu, Finland, Stora Enso wants to convert the second paper line that is currently unused into a packaging board line.
At the beginning of the year, the production line at the Oulu mill was upgraded from coated paper to kraft paper for food applications. At full capacity, the first line produces 450euros000 tons of kraftliner and 550euros000 tons of unbleached kraft pulp.
"Euros Oulu, the ramp-up of the first reconverted production line was successfully completed, reaching full capacity, quality requirements as well as profitability ahead of schedule." says Hannu Kasurinen.
This second conversion "would further improve the flexibility and competitiveness of the Oulu site through integrated pulp availability, additional fixed and variable cost savings, and the ability to utilize the adjacent deepwater port." . The preliminary study will be completed early next year.
"With these two growth initiatives, we are demonstrating a rapid time-to-market and our ability to meet the growing demand for more sustainable packaging." he adds.
