Stora Enso makes a groundbreaking investment in nanotechnology at Imatra, Finland

Stora Enso is taking a significant step forward in renewable materials innovation by building a pre-commercial plant at Imatra in Finland for the production of microfibrillated cellulose. The new type of renewable material will be used in existing and new unique fibre-based paper and board products, barrier materials, and other potential future applications.

“The MFC pre-commercial plant is another proof point of rethinking within Stora Enso. It is not only an example of pathfinding innovation together with institutions and universities for the benefit of consumers and even the planet; it is also a proof point of Stora Enso’s commitment to accelerating the development of the next generation of renewable materials. With MFC we will be able to develop lighter, stronger renewable packaging materials, a lot more with a lot less. The pre-commercial plant will put us into a unique position to accelerate customer-driven innovation and product concepts from this technology. In the longer term, as we continue to renew and challenge ourselves, the applications of this renewable material may well extend to replacing today’s fossil-based materials such as plastics and some speciality chemicals, and aluminium – revolution instead of evolution,” says Stora Enso CEO Jouko Karvinen.

The microfibrillated cellulose technology project, including the Imatra pre-commercial plant, is estimated to total approximately EUR 10 million. The plant is scheduled to start production by the end of 2011.

For further information, please contact:
Vesa Simola, SVP Packaging Business area, tel. +46 705 084 384
Jukka Kilpeläinen, SVP Group R&D, tel. +358 2046 21277
Päivi Kauhanen, Communications Director, tel. +358 2046 21292
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 2046 21242

www.storaenso.com
www.storaenso.com/investors

Stora Enso is the global rethinker of the packaging, paper and wood products industry. We always rethink the old and expand to the new to offer our customers innovative solutions based on renewable materials. Stora Enso employs some 26 000 people worldwide, and our sales in 2010 amounted to EUR 10.3 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.

STORA ENSO OYJ