Super User

Super User

Stora Enso is investing EUR 97 million to expand the board production at the Skoghall site in Sweden.  At the same time, Stora Enso is initiating a pre-feasibility study to convert the second, currently idle, line at its Oulu site in Finland, to a packaging board line.

Market demand for sustainable packaging is increasing. Stora Enso is a global leader in consumer packaging with strong market positions in attractive end-uses. The investment in Skoghall will further drive profitable growth in attractive end-use segments, such as liquid packaging board and coated unbleached kraftliner, and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023. Following the investment, the annual packaging board production at Skoghall can be increased by approximately 100 000 tonnes, to a total capacity exceeding 900 000 tonnes, subject to environmental permits.

The investment decision follows the completion of the feasibility study announced in November 2020. Based on the study, Stora Enso has decided not to go ahead with the originally planned pulp capacity expansion. The original feasibility study had an estimated capital expenditure of approximately EUR 800–850 million for both pulp and board capacity expansion. The board expansion in Skoghall will be implemented through debottlenecking of one of the existing production lines, and executed in two steps, utilising the scheduled maintenance stops.

2021 10 20 105243

Growth in sustainable packaging is a long-term strategic objective for Stora Enso. Following the successful conversion in Oulu from paper to kraftliner production for food applications, Stora Enso has decided to initiate a pre-feasibility study to convert the second, idle paper line into a packaging board line. The first conversion ramp-up in Oulu has proceeded ahead of plan since production started at the beginning of the year. A second conversion would further improve the Oulu site’s flexibility and competitiveness, through integrated pulp availability, additional fixed and variable cost savings, and ability to utilise the adjacent deep-sea harbour. The pre-feasibility study will be completed early 2022.

“Skoghall is one of our key integrated production sites for eco-friendly packaging materials. The investment strengthens Stora Enso’s capability to produce high-quality and cost-competitive consumer board grades within the growing core segments of liquid and food packaging. In Oulu, the ramp-up of the first converted production line has been successfully executed, reaching towards full capacity, quality requirements as well as profitability ahead of plan. Through both these growth initiatives we are demonstrating speedy time-to-market and ability to respond to the increasing demand for more sustainable packaging,” says Hannu Kasurinen, EVP Stora Enso’s Packaging Materials division. 

Stora Enso’s Skoghall site in western Sweden is a modern, world-class producer of consumer packaging board, for liquid packaging and dry food packaging. Total annual production currently exceeds 800 000 tonnes of board. 

Stora Enso’s Oulu site is a premium kraftliner producer in northern Finland. In early 2021, one of two former paper machines, was converted to kraftliner for consumer packaging applications. The pulp mill and drying machine were modified to produce unbleached brown pulp. The second former paper production line has been kept idle in the meantime. When fully ramped up, the annual capacity of the first line is 450 000 tonnes of kraftliner and 550 000 tonnes of pulp.

Earlier releases:
11 November 2020: Stora Enso to start feasibility study for expanding pulp and board capacity at Skoghall Mill
29 January 2021: Production started at Stora Enso’s Oulu Mill

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 23 000 employees, and sales in over 50 countries. Our sales in 2020 were EUR 8.6 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com

Pure Supreme is a well-established premium white-top kraftliner, optimized for offset printing. BillerudKorsnäs is now launching an upgraded version of Pure Supreme, which is more than a facelift – it could even be regarded as a new product.  It offers excellent print results in terms of colour fidelity and lifelike image reproduction. Its strength and stiffness ensure high runnability, allowing for high-speed printing and converting processes.

New Pure Supreme is the latest in a series of new products to come out of BillerudKorsnäs’ KM7, the world’s most modern board machine. The advanced technologies applied in KM7 have made it possible to combine several valuable product properties: printability, strength, stiffness, appearance, consistency, and purity. Like all BillerudKorsnäs products, Pure Supreme is made of 100% pure and strong primary wood fibres, sourced from responsibly managed forests. With the high capacity of KM7 – 550,000 tons/year – global availability is high. 

Typical application for Pure Supreme: strong and sturdy box for good protection and quality print results to align with a premium brand profile.Typical application for Pure Supreme: strong and sturdy box for good protection and quality print results to align with a premium brand profile.

For premium brands with a need for appealing, high-performance packaging, Pure Supreme is a perfect choice – and the advantages are easily explained. The smooth and fully coated surface gives the liner an attractive appearance, exceptional print results, and opportunities for interesting varnishes and foils. Primary wood fibres in a 3-ply structure make Pure Supreme strong and minimize the risk of washboarding. A mid-layer of CTMP and kraft pulp provides bulk, stiffness, and stability to ensure high runnability.

 “The combination of strength and appearance is unique in this product. Normally, a customer has to choose one or the other product property. But with Pure Supreme we can offer both,” says Rolf Gustafsson, Senior Director Product Management Containerboard at BillerudKorsnäs. “And thanks to its strength, Pure Supreme enables great lightweighting possibilities; less packaging weight saves cost and reduces the environmental footprint.”

Packaging leader Smurfit Kappa has launched a unique range of circular packaging solutions for the rapidly growing online health and beauty market. The customisable eHealth & Beauty portfolio includes sustainable, paper-based packaging solutions ideal for shipping vulnerable products, such as fragrances, cosmetics, and skin and hair care products, as well as tamper proof packaging designed for vitamins, supplements and sports nutrition.

2021 10 07 082626

The health and beauty eCommerce market in Europe is one of the largest and fastest growing categories, valued at €17.6 billion[1] in 2020. As online purchasing continues, with double digit growth both in Eastern Europe (37%) and Western Europe (22%)[2], this growth presents a significant opportunity for retailers to capitalise on, with the overall eCommerce retail market estimated to be worth €380 billion[3].

As demand in the health and beauty eCommerce market expands, so do consumer expectations for higher quality and sustainable packaging, in addition to delivery protection. Recent research carried out by Smurfit Kappa shows consumers are continuing to push for higher standards in delivery. The research found:

  • 80% expect their parcel to arrive in perfect condition
  • 59% prefer parcels that are easy to open
  • 74% say that easy return is important for their convenience
  • 69% prefer paper-based packaging for sustainability reasons

2021 10 07 082701

The new portfolio addresses the key challenges for the eCommerce supply chain, including product damage, void fill, and sustainability, to ensure an improved consumer and brand experience. Importantly, the entire portfolio has been designed to meet the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) standards, thereby facilitating Amazon’s packaging certification process for specific products.

Commenting on the announcement, Arco Berkenbosch, Vice President of Innovation and Development at Smurfit Kappa said: “In the health and beauty segment the speed to market needs to be combined with a unique consumer experience. Our new eHealth & Beauty product range offers exciting, fit-for-purpose and bespoke packaging solutions, that are suited to different size businesses from entrepreneurs to globally recognised brands. This packaging range is the best way to boost your eCommerce sales approach.”

2021 10 07 082725

One of the portfolio innovations is the Tamper Evident Pack, which has a double self-locking mechanism that does not require tape, and is easy to return. An additional solution is the Beauty Sleeve which has been specifically designed to protect small products, such as skin care and cosmetics, while the curved edges create a unique look enhancing the brand experience. The distinctive design of the Hammock Fit delivers a premium unboxing experience while adding extra protection to the products through the supply chain.

Alongside the eHealth & Beauty range, Smurfit Kappa also offers a host of automated solutions to optimise the packaging process and accelerate growth for businesses. The launch of this new portfolio is the latest addition to Smurfit Kappa’s range of Better Planet Packaging solutions which seeks to make a positive impact on billions of supply chains and consumers by reducing the environmental footprint of packaging and its traces on the planet.

[1] Euromonitor Passport 2021

[2] Euromonitor International, Retail in Transition, July 2021

[3] Euromonitor Passport 2021

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper has been developing fully recyclable barrier papers for flexible food and non-food packaging since Drupa 2016. The demand for environmentally friendly packaging papers with effective barrier functions has increased rapidly since then. A key player in the food industry has been using barricote BAG WGOM for cocoa powder for many years, and for some time now barricote LINER MG for secondary packaging for chocolate drops.

Developed in close cooperation with large food manufacturers, packaging machine manufacturers and processors, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper now offers a whole range of barrier papers with barricote. The fully recyclable papers can be used as bag packaging, wrapping paper and liners. With effective combinable barriers against water vapour, grease & oil, oxygen & aroma as well as mineral oil migration, barricote papers are suitable for both primary and secondary packaging. Mitsubishi thus makes a significant contribution to waste reduction, circular economy and the reuse of valuable raw materials.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper's sustainability goals and product strategy coincide particularly with the ambitious goals of large food manufacturers. Newly developed packaging should be 100% recyclable. Leading food companies are relying increasingly on paper as a packaging material and have been working with Mitsubishi's barricote barrier papers in product development and production for years.

Fully recyclable secondary packaging for chocolate drops made from barricote LINER MGFully recyclable secondary packaging for chocolate drops made from barricote LINER MG

The most recent result of the close cooperation is the secondary packaging for chocolate drops. For the outer packaging, the food manufacturer utilises barricote LINER MG. The barrier paper has impressive heat sealing abilities, very good processing properties and acts as a particularly effective barrier against mineral oil migration as well as against grease and oil, whilst also being completely recyclable.

“Our barricote papers not only offer excellent barriers and excellent heat sealing capabilities, they are also 100% recyclable. By producing barricote we are contributing to the vision of a waste-free future,” says Dr. Dieter Becker, Director New Business Development at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper. “We rely on water-based coatings and a high proportion of biodegradable ingredients. At the same time, our barrier papers are 100% free from plastic films, fluorocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and optical brighteners. We are proud to be able to work with the development teams of major brand owners on successful projects in the product transformation from plastic packaging to paper packaging and in doing so make a valuable contribution to sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging solutions of the future."

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH is a German subsidiary of Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd., Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty paper. The roughly 770 employees at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe produce high-quality direct thermal, inkjet, carbonless, label and barrier papers for flexible packaging at two tradition-rich locations in Bielefeld and Flensburg. Each factory stands out for own base paper production, state-of-the-art production machinery and innovative coating technologies. Through its dense global sales network, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe supplies a full range of specialty papers for many applications and printing technologies – and is a highly capable partner whenever customized coated paper solutions are required.

Tecnocap, an Italian-based global metal packaging manufacturer, utilizes BASF’s non-phthalate plasticizer Hexamoll® DINCH BMB for sealing gaskets inside its metal closures. Sealing gaskets ensure leak-proof containers, protect products from contaminants and preserve product quality throughout a long shelf-life. The metal closures of Tecnocap are used by some of the biggest consumer brands in food, baby food and beverage packaging worldwide. 

  • BASF’s trusted non-phthalate plasticizer based on renewable raw materials contributes to saving fossil resources and carbon emissions
  • Tecnocap’s proven closure quality remains and ensures a superior sealing performance in this sensitive food-contact application

Tecnocap is strongly committed to pioneering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. Specialized teams work together with suppliers and the world’s best-known consumer brands to improve existing products and reach sustainability targets. To meet customer expectations for transparency and sustainability, the company has chosen BASF’s biomass balanced plasticizer Hexamoll® DINCH BMB.

“Working together with customers and suppliers like BASF to enhance packaging sustainability credentials is a strategic focus for us. With the introduction of the Life Cycle Assessment approach and obtaining an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), we can measure the environmental impacts of metal closures and reduce their impact according to our Sustainability Action Plan, which aims at considerably reducing the CO2 emissions by 2030,” says Michelangelo Morlicchio, CEO and President at Tecnocap Group. He adds: “This initiative is in tune with consumer trends and reflects our commitment to manufacturing more responsible packaging solutions.”

Metal closures for glass jars, for e.g. baby food, contain a sealing insert. This ensures that the vacuum remains inside the glass, which is crucial to guarantee the minimum shelf life of the contained product. Tecnocap uses Hexamoll® DINCH BMB in their sealing inserts.Metal closures for glass jars, for e.g. baby food, contain a sealing insert. This ensures that the vacuum remains inside the glass, which is crucial to guarantee the minimum shelf life of the contained product. Tecnocap uses Hexamoll® DINCH BMB in their sealing inserts.

Using Hexamoll® DINCH BMB contributes to this ambitious sustainability target as the plasticizer has a lower carbon footprint compared to the regular plasticizer and helps to save fossil resources. In the production of Hexamoll® DINCH BMB, BASF uses bio-naphtha or biogas instead of fossil resources. These materials are derived from organic waste or vegetable oils. As the renewable raw materials are processed together with conventional feedstock in BASF’s existing efficient production network, the renewable material is allocated to the final product according to the biomass balance approach (BMB). Both the allocation process and the product itself, are certified by independent auditors according to the RedCert2 standard. The specifications and technical properties are identical to those of the conventional plasticizer. Therefore, the proven product quality of Tecnocap’s metal closures remains and a superior sealing performance is ensured.

Wolfgang Bien, Vice President of Industrial Petrochemicals Europe at BASF explains: “We as BASF share Tecnocap’s commitment to sustainability and are currently implementing numerous measures to reach our goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. The biomass balance approach is one pillar of our carbon management program, which has a major impact on CO2 emissions and the saving of fossil resources. Both aspects are crucial to overcome the climate challenges of today. Therefore, we are pleased to partner with Tecnocap.”

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Petrochemicals division

The Petrochemicals division is the starting point for BASF’s petrochemical-based value chains globally. We operate a highly competitive asset base with best-in-class technologies and set the benchmark in safety, sustainability, operational excellence and cost competitiveness. With six interconnected sites and several major production sites, we are close to our customers and present in the largest chemical markets worldwide. The division supplies various value chains across the company and a broad range of customer industries with high-quality chemicals, putting our customers in the center of everything we do and contributing to the organic volume growth of BASF. Our portfolio includes cracker products, industrial gases, acrylics, superabsorbent polymers, styrenic foams, alkylene oxides, glycols, alcohols, solvents and plasticizers. In 2020, the Petrochemicals division generated sales to third parties of about €5.4 billion. Further information is available online at www.petrochemicals.basf.com.

About Tecnocap

Tecnocap is a global metal packaging manufacturer, specialized in metal closures for glass jars and plastic containers. Here, they are the third biggest producer of closures for food, baby food and beverage packaging. The Group is also emerging as a global leader for integrated packaging solutions, i.e. aluminum monobloc aerosol cans and aluminum bottles for some of the world’s best-known consumer brands in food, beverages, spirits, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, industrial and household products. Corporate website: www.tecnocapgroup.com.

PulPac reveals partnership with RZ Mekpart and the RZ Group of specialized engineering contract manufacturers, further extending capabilities, expertise, and capacity of the Dry Molded Fiber network.

The objective of the partnership between RZ and PulPac is to combine significant industrial experience, secure machining, and manufacturing capabilities as well as spread know-how on tooling for Dry Molded Fiber.

2021 09 27 085324

“RZ is proud to partner with PulPac, bringing a network of leading manufacturing entities in Sweden and providing support with our extensive expertise into efficient tooling construction and machine processing.

We see strong market forces towards replacing plastics, especially from consumers, and that Dry Molded Fiber is a very promising substitute that can compete on cost and sustainability” comments Lars Kihlström, CEO at RZ Mekpart AB.PulPac continues to expand the network and take holistic responsibility to secure upstream and downstream applicability of the technology. Together with RZ, the Dry Molded Fiber Community can now benefit from significantly increased tooling capacity, leading to shorter lead times and quicker time to market.

2021 09 27 085259

“We welcome RZ Mekpart and the RZ Group as a trusted partner in tooling production. Our efforts to scale supply chain and build partnerships with leading players in the value chain continues to yield advantages for the Dry Molded Fiber community. These partnerships and the collaborative approach are essential to enable scaling in support of the on-going global transition to fiber and away from single-use plastics. We welcome all parties in the value chain to join the community and support the transition to sustainable packaging and single-use products” comments Linus Larsson, Chief Executive Officer at PulPac.

About RZ Group & RZ Mekpart AB
The RZ Group consists of twelve accomplished companies for specialized engineering. An optimal subcontractor and system partner. RZ Mekpart AB is a modern, full-service business founded in 1976. Today we have 50 employees and have a wide business offer based on specialized expertise. Our range runs from prototypes to long-series production and assembly of complex parts. Our business concept is to identify what our customer needs and find fast, effective, and affordable solutions. We do this by leveraging extensive resources and expertise combined with the flexibility of being a small company. RZ Mekpart AB has quality and environment certifications. www.rzg.se

2021 09 27 085230

About PulPac
PulPac provides the packaging industry with a groundbreaking manufacturing technology for low-cost, high-performance fiber-based packaging and single-use products. By pioneering the technology of cellulose molding PulPac enables their customers to replace single-use plastics with a sustainable and cost competitive alternative globally. www.pulpac.com

About Dry Molded Fiber
Dry Molded Fiber, invented and patented by PulPac, is a manufacturing technology designed for the circular economy – using renewable pulp and cellulose resources to produce low cost, high performance, fiber-based packaging, and single-use products. Dry Molded Fiber gives up to 80-90% lower CO2 footprint at similar cost as plastic. It is up to ten times as efficient as conventional fiber molding invented over 100 years ago. The dry process also saves massive amounts of valuable water resources. In addition, energy savings are significant - as the molded products need no drying.

Monday, 20 September 2021 09:53

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper comments on the SUPD

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper produces recyclable barrier papers with water-based coatings for food and non-food packaging under the brand name barricote®. In the EU, the so-called SUPD (Single Use Plastic Directive) has created a great deal of uncertainty for this innovative and sustainable packaging material, on which we would like to take a position, as follows.

By July 3, 2021, two years after the Single Use Plastic Directive (EU) 2019/904 came into force in the European Union, the member states had to transpose the directive into national law. We expressly support the goal of avoiding and reducing littering and pollution through single-use plastic.

The intention of the guidelines published at the end of May 2021 was to provide clarity about the interpretation of the terms used in the directive. Unfortunately, the opposite is the case, because the conceptual definitions in the guidelines have created a great deal of uncertainty in paper production and processing. In particular, this concerns the statements about what is to be understood by a “main structural component” and by a “plastic coating”. It is true that the regulation and guideline underline the fact that paper can function as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic items. At the same time, however, it is stated: "If, however, a plastic coating [...] is applied to the surface of a material made of paper or cardboard or another material in order to offer protection against water or grease, the end product is considered to be a composite article, [...] and [falls] [...] within the scope of the directive."

Barricote products are often used as wrapping paper for foodBarricote products are often used as wrapping paper for food

In this context, we expressly point out that the application of aqueous dispersions to the paper surface used by us for the production of our barricote barrier papers cannot be equated with a "plastic coating" - as so-called in the guidelines. No separate plastic layer is produced, but instead the natural and synthetic materials selectively protect the underlying paper against external influences, without creating a structure-giving or separable plastic layer.

These contradicting and ambiguous definitions of terms lead to great uncertainty in future product design. In the packaging sector, this inhibits the development of innovative biogenic and paper-based materials that are developed with the aim of achieving the best possible recyclability and biodegradability.

We therefore support the demands of the PTS (Papiertechnische Stiftung) and the DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE e.V. association to the legislative bodies to create clarity in the interpretation of the directive and laws in the interests of the companies subject to them, and to expressly exclude papers with water-based dispersion coatings from the scope of the directive.

Further explanations of our point of view:

For over six years we have been making a valuable contribution to the actual goal of SUPD with our innovative barricote barrier papers, namely the reduction of pollution and littering of the environment with single-use plastics. Because our barrier papers are fully recyclable in the waste paper cycle, confirmed by PTS and cyclos-HTP, and replace classis plastic products.

Today ensuring full protection of packaged goods is still not possible without polymer-containing barrier products. But the proportion of plastic can already be significantly reduced and the product can thus be produced in a recyclable manner. We are intensively researching on completely plastic-free solutions and expect the first results within the next few years. We also believe that the use of bio-based and biodegradable plastics in combination with paper as a carrier material should continue to be an important component of alternative barrier products. Many of the substances used are approved in everyday products and food and have been shown to pose no health risk.

Aqueous dispersions themselves are not dimensionally stable without a carrier material. They do not represent a separable and stand-alone component and therefore, in our opinion, do not fall under the SUPD. Coatings made from aqueous plastic dispersions are to be regarded as paints, varnishes and adhesives (bonding agents, adhesion promoters, etc.). They do not form an independent structural element that can stand alone, but are only stable in connection with a carrier material as the actual component.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH is a German subsidiary of Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd., Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty paper. The roughly 770 employees at Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe produce high-quality direct thermal, inkjet, carbonless, label and barrier papers for flexible packaging at two tradition-rich locations in Bielefeld and Flensburg. Each factory stands out for own base paper production, state-of-the-art production machinery and innovative coating technologies. Through its dense global sales network, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe supplies a full range of specialty papers for many applications and printing technologies – and is a highly capable partner whenever customized coated paper solutions are required.

www.mitsubishi-paper.com

Smurfit Kappa Group plc (SKG:ID SKG:LN) (together with its subsidiaries, “Smurfit Kappa” or the “Group”), one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products, with operations in Europe and the Americas, have just announced a dual-tranche offering by one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Smurfit Kappa Treasury Unlimited Company, comprising €500 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 and €500 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2033 (together, the “New Notes”) (the “Offering”).

The Group intends to use an amount equivalent to the net proceeds of the Offering to finance or refinance a portfolio of eligible assets and expenditures (“Eligible Green Projects”) in accordance with its previously announced green finance framework (the “Green Finance Framework”), which the Group may, in the future, update in line with developments in the market. The Green Finance Framework and the ISS ESG Second Party Opinion thereon are available at smurfitkappa.com/investors.

2021 09 15 095057

Under the Green Finance Framework, Eligible Green Projects include circular economy adapted products, production technologies and processes and/or certified eco-efficient products, such as: (i) reclamation of used fibres; (ii) recycling of used fibres; (iii) paper milling; and (iv) packaging conversion. In addition, Eligible Green Projects include the environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use, such as the procurement of responsibly-sourced raw materials or ingredients (like wood, pulp, paper and recovered paper) and the utilisation of forests and raw materials certified in accordance with (i) Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards; (ii) Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI); and (iii) Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

The Group intends to issue a notice today for the conditional redemption of €500 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”), issued by Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions Unlimited Company pursuant to an indenture dated 24 January 2017. The Group intends to use cash on hand and/or existing available facilities to fund the redemption of the 2024 Notes and pay accrued but unpaid interest thereon. The redemption is currently anticipated to take place on 25 September 2021 and is conditional upon the completion of the Offering and the receipt by the Group of the net proceeds from the sale of the New Notes on or before the redemption date. There can be no assurance that the Offering or the redemption of the 2024 Notes will be completed.

The New Notes are being offered in a private placement and there will be no public offering of the New Notes. The New Notes will be offered and sold only to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

An innovative corrugated bin for face masks by Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been awarded a ScanStar in a Nordic packaging design competition organised by the Scandinavian Packaging Association. The mask bin, made of lightweight and durable corrugated board, helps to collect and dispose of used face masks easily and safely. Metsä Board developed the concept together with packaging design agency Futupack and corrugated board converter Capertum.

The competition jury commented: “A simple but clever solution for a new problem – mask littering. The bin is made from corrugated material, and is easy to assemble even without the instructions which have been printed on the bin itself. The lid makes the light packaging more rigid and, if you turn the lid, it closes the package when it is full. Good printing supports the product. The bin is also accessible to those who have disabilities.”

2021 09 01 131445

“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought its own challenges to waste management and together with Futupack and Capertum we wanted to develop a solution to this. In our design, we paid special attention to the lightness of the material, its durability and the ease of use and consumer guidance,” said Ilkka Harju, Packaging Services Director EMEA and APAC at Metsä Board.

MetsäBoard Pro WKL 160 g/m2 coated white kraftliner was used as the top liner of the mask bin. The Finnish corrugated board converter Capertum printed the E-flute corrugated board in silk screen. Thanks to fresh fibre board the waste bin is strong but light, which reduces the carbon footprint.

Metsä Board

www.metsaboard.com

Metsä Board is a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards. We focus on lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. The pure fresh fibres we use in our products are a renewable resource, traceable to origin in sustainably managed northern forests. We are a forerunner in sustainability, and  we aim for completely fossil free mills and raw materials by 2030.

Together with our customers we develop innovative packaging solutions to create better consumer experiences with less environmental impact. In 2020, our sales totalled EUR 1.9 billion, and we have about 2,400 employees. Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.

Metsä Group

www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group leads the way in the bioeconomy. We invest in growth, developing bioproducts and a fossil free future. The raw material for our products is renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. We focus on the growth sectors of the forest industry: wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards, and tissue and greaseproof papers.

Metsä Group’s annual sales is approximately EUR 5.5 billion, and we have around 9,200 employees in 30 countries. Our international Group has its roots in the Finnish forest: our parent company is Metsäliitto Cooperative owned by 100,000 forest owners.  

Stora Enso has received four Nordic ScanStar awards for convenient, eco-friendly packaging designs that replace plastic. All winning designs are made of renewable wood fiber. This year the ScanStar awards received a total of 32 submissions from the Nordic countries and 14 awards were given out. The jury assessed the level of competition to be high.

Stora Enso’s winning designs are:

Eco-friendly magazine packaging concept for Vogue Scandinavia

2021 09 01 084956

Vogue Scandinavia is disrupting the publishing industry in many ways. One of the unique features of Vogue Scandinavia is its sustainable packaging concept. There are two packaging versions: Normal Edition and the Collectors’ Item Limited Edition made from EnsocoatTM by Stora Enso. The package replaces the traditional single use plastic wrapping used in magazines.

The magazine and packaging are carbon neutral, made with a renewable, low-carbon raw material, and energy efficient production. The remaining emissions are offset by using the CarbonZero service by Stora Enso, in collaboration with compensation partner South Pole.

EcoFreshBox

2021 09 01 085051

The innovative berry container comes in several sizes and can be used for many other products too. It replaces plastic packaging – even the integrated lid is made from corrugated board. Half a million renewable berry containers can help cut out 4500 kilograms of fossil plastic. The packaging is cost-effective, easy to use, rigid, and effortless to flatten before recycling. Customer-specific images can be printed on the package to increase visibility and attractiveness.

Lighting track Multipack

2021 09 01 085106The corrugated board packaging is optimised for transporting fragile products. It has innovative folding with corner protections. It helps streamline the packaging process, helps avoid plastics as plastic wrapping is not needed, and it is very protective and reduces transportation damages. The packaging is user-friendly in packing and unpacking and simple to recycle.

Packaging for intelligent fridge

2021 09 01 085024The renewable logistics packaging is made for an intelligent fridge, currently used by Selfly Store by Stora Enso. Selfly Store is a complete, easy to set up solution that enables you to run your own unmanned self-service micro-store. The packaging replaces solutions that typically include a mix of materials: EPS, shrink-plastic, and wood. It is trouble-free to recycle as this packaging is fully made of renewable corrugated board. The packaging process does not require any external tools and supports ergonomic work throughout the supply chain.

About ScanStar

Scanstar is a joint Nordic packaging competition held annually since 1969 by the Scandinavian Packaging Association SPA. The competition is open for all packaging solutions designed, converted, or used in one of the Nordic countries. Scanstar 2021 was organised by Svenska Förpackningsgillet.

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 23 000 employees, and sales in over 50 countries. Our sales in 2020 were EUR 8.6 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com

Page 11 of 20

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage. Site Terms and conditions