The total investment is approximately 1.1 billion euros! Top European consumer cardboard line completed and put into operation in Finland
The largest and most modern consumer packaging cardboard production line in Europe has been officially completed and put into operation in Oulu, Finland. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Stora Enso Group Chairman Kari Jordan, Group President and CEO Hans Sohlstr ö m, and Oulu Factory Union Chairman Olli Pekka Kaikkonen jointly unveiled the new production line. The Oulu factory will serve the growing demand for renewable packaging worldwide, promote the development of a circular bioeconomy, enhance Finland's competitiveness, and facilitate the export of high value-added products.
Between 2019 and 2025, Stora Enso will invest a total of approximately 1.7 billion euros in the Oulu factory, of which approximately 1.1 billion euros will be used for the newly launched production line and other supporting projects within the factory. With a series of investments, the factory was able to transform the existing paper machine into a cardboard production line using the latest technology, and reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 90%, significantly reducing environmental impact. At present, the main products of the factory include yellow core white card, kraft paper, paper bag paper, and natural needle pulp. The cardboard materials are all food grade and can directly come into contact with food. These products from the Oulu factory are mainly aimed at the international market and will be mainly exported.
Hans Sohlstr ö m
President and CEO of Stora Enso Group
Hans Sohlstr ö m, President and CEO of Stora Enso Group, said, "Our investment in the Oulu factory is of great strategic significance. It will consolidate our leading position in the field of high value-added renewable packaging materials and significantly increase Finland's export revenue. Consumer packaging made of wood fibers has enormous potential to replace plastic packaging, and our materials are also suitable for the existing recycling system. The Oulu factory, which is close to carbon neutrality, is also a model for investment in the bioeconomy, effectively promoting the transformation from fossil based materials to renewable and recyclable packaging
The brand new production line adopts Stora Enso's patented technology FiberLight Tec ™ Fiber processing technology can produce lighter and stronger cardboard products, suitable for terminal applications such as frozen and refrigerated food, dry goods, pharmaceuticals, and beverage bundle bags.
Matti Lielahti, head of Stora Enso Oulu business unit, pointed out, "Our yellow core white wood is one-third lighter than traditional materials, helping customers reduce packaging material usage and carbon emissions during transportation while ensuring performance. Therefore, it has extremely high added value. The advantage of the factory being adjacent to a deep-water port ensures efficient logistics throughout the year. All of this demonstrates our commitment to addressing climate change. In addition, the raw materials for our cardboard production mainly include pulp wood purchased from private forest owners in Finland, small path wood, and wood chips from our own sawmills. We also use bark and other materials for energy production, and the biomass energy produced by the factory can provide regional heating for the Oulu area
This factory, founded in the 1930s, currently employs over 900 people and indirectly creates several times more job opportunities through the entire supply chain, including timber transportation, logistics, maintenance, and services. Oulu Mayor Ari Alatossava said, "Stora Enso's billion euro investment in Oulu will improve the export situation, enhance the vitality and competitiveness of the region and northern Finland, and create more long-term employment opportunities. We are pleased to actively contribute to the investment landing of major green transformation industries based on our growth strategy
The newly built consumer packaging cardboard production line by Stora Enso in Oulu is expected to reach full production by 2027 at the latest, with a designed annual production capacity of 750000 tons and an estimated annual sales revenue of approximately 800 million euros.