HELSINKI (News release) -- Stora Enso has completed the negotiations concerning the consolidation of its book paper production and the permanent closure of one of the two paper machines at the Anjalankoski site in Finland. The closure will take place during the fourth quarter of 2023.

In April 2023, Stora Enso announced a plan to permanently close one of the two paper machines and concentrate all book paper production to one line at the integrated Anjalankoski site due to the prevailing weak paper demand and high input costs.

The closure of the line producing uncoated mechanical grades will reduce the site's annual capacity by 250,000 tonnes and sales with approximately EUR 100 million. The closure will take place during the fourth quarter of 2023 and affect 89 people, of whom 50 will be made redundant. The majority of these redundancies are managed through pension arrangements.

"While it is very unfortunate that redundancies have to be made, we are pleased that the number of employees affected is significantly lower than anticipated. Stora Enso will continue to harness the Anjalankoski site's synergies between board and paper production and with the remaining paper machine, the Group will be able to continue producing its selection of book paper grades," says Hannu Kasurinen, EVP Packaging Materials division.

The integrated Anjalankoski site is reported under the Packaging Materials division since the beginning of 2023. The site includes the Ingerois packaging board production unit and the Anjala paper production unit, the latter of which was previously reported under the, now dissolved, Paper division.

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