Metsä Board launches a development program for its factory white kraftliner en Kemi, Finland, thanks to the investment in the new bioproducts plant in Metsä Fiber. Metsä Board owns 24,9% of its associated company Metsä Fiber and both are part of the Metsä Group.
The development program will increase the annual capacity of cardboard from the factory by approximately 40.000 tons. It includes a series of investments in modernization and in the cardboard production line. As part of the program, Metsä Board will purchase Metsä Fiber's unbleached pulp production line in 2023, with an annual capacity of approximately 180.000 tons. The total investment value of the program is approximately 67 million euros, divided into 2021-2023, and mainly in 2023.
This will reduce the Kemi cardboard mill's water consumption by approximately 40% and energy consumption by 5% per ton of cardboard produced. The Metsä Board company-wide goal is to reduce water consumption by 30% and energy consumption by 10% per tonne of cardboard produced by 2030 compared to 2018.
“The demand for recyclable and premium white cap kraftliners is growing rapidly in our main markets in North America and Europe. Following these investments, Metsä Board's leadership position in coated white kraftliners globally will be further strengthened, and the new Metsä Fiber bioproducts mill together with the Metsä Board carton mill will form a world-class integration into Kemi. , Finland. The investment will significantly reduce water and energy consumption at the Kemi carton mill and bring us closer to our ambitious sustainability goals, which we have set for ourselves by 2030. This also supports our customers' sustainable business, ”he says Mika Joukio, CEO of Metsa Board.
