Stora Enso enters into strategic partnership with Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

STORA ENSO OYJ PRESS RELEASE 28 May 2018 at 9.00 EEST

Stora Enso has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Through the agreement Stora Enso and SLU intend to establish a long-term collaboration in research and development, education, competence building, and innovation within the fields of forestry and bio-based materials. 

The main objective of the collaboration is to jointly drive research projects to develop new knowledge within sustainable forestry and wooden biomaterials. Special focus areas include bio-based materials, forest and ecosystem management, forest technology and plant- and forest production. Moreover, the collaboration will act to strengthen competence development of staff members at Stora Enso and SLU.

“Collaborating with leading educational institutions, such as SLU, is a key component of Stora Enso’s strategy and an enabler in our continued transformation into a renewable materials company,” says Stora Enso’s CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström. “Our vision is to replace fossil-based materials by innovating and developing new products based on wooden materials. By liaising with the world’s leading forestry science university, we can accelerate this development while also increasing our exposure to educated talents in our field.”

“We are excited to partner with one of the world’s leading forest products companies,” says Peter Högberg, Vice-Chancellor at SLU. “Stora Enso’s ambition to be an influential force in the bio-economy matches SLU’s strive to break new ground in research and education for bio-based technologies. Through this agreement, we can together strengthen the link between academics and business towards the common goal of a renewable future.”

Under the agreement Stora Enso and SLU aim to have an active portfolio of shared projects. Each party assigns relevant representatives to participate in a dedicated Steering Group for the collaboration which will be responsible for developing and managing the collaboration.

For further information, please contact:
Ulrika Lilja, EVP, Communications, tel. +46 72 221 9228

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 26 000 employees in over 30 countries. Our sales in 2017 were EUR 10 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

STORA ENSO OYJ 

For further information, please contact:
Ulrika Lilja
EVP, Communications
tel. +46 72 221 9228