Stora Enso Launches 750,000-Tonne Packaging Line in Oulu

Stora Enso has begun the ramp-up of its new consumer packaging board line at the Oulu site in Finland, targeting folding box board (FBB) and coated unbleached kraft (CUK) with an annual capacity of 750,000 tonnes. The project, which represents an investment of approximately EUR 1 billion, is on schedule to achieve EBITDA breakeven by the end of 2025 and full capacity by 2027, with projected annual sales of around EUR 800 million. This initiative supports Stora Enso's strategy to expand within the renewable packaging sector, addressing growing demand for sustainable solutions in food and beverage multi-packaging primarily for European and North American markets. The Oulu site will also become Stora Enso's largest production facility, employing approximately 650 people and increasing wood consumption by about one million cubic meters annually. The acquisition of Junnikkala sawmills is expected to enhance the supply chain for necessary raw materials, reinforcing the company's commitment to local sourcing. CEO Hans Sohlström emphasized that the new line will be the most modern and cost-efficient in Europe, boosting the company's competitiveness and profitability in consumer board offerings.