FINLAND (News release) -- Metsä Board, a subsidiary of Metsä Group, has announced a Euro 60 million investment to upgrade the folding boxboard machine at its Simpele mill. This initiative is part of a broader plan to modernize the facility, aiming to boost product quality and production efficiency. The project, expected to be completed by the second half of 2025, will also support the company's goal to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in its production processes by 2030.

The enhancement will increase the mill's folding boxboard output by approximately 10,000 tonnes annually, raising its total capacity to around 310,000 tonnes. The Simpele mill specializes in producing high-quality, lightweight folding boxboard primarily used in food and pharmaceutical packaging.

Mika Joukio, CEO of Metsä Board, highlighted that the upgrade is crucial for meeting stringent industry standards and enhancing cost competitiveness. "This investment not only improves our product quality, particularly for critical sectors like food and pharmaceuticals, but also moves us closer to achieving almost entirely fossil-free production at the Simpele site," Joukio stated.

Further decisions on additional phases of the investment program, including updates to mechanical pulp production and the construction of a new power plant, remain pending.