Stora Enso sets new circularity target aligned with Global Circularity Protocol
STORA ENSO OYJ PRESS RELEASE 20 May 2026 at 10:00 EET
Stora Enso has published its Circularity Plan, aligned with the first version of the Global Circularity Protocol for Business (GCP), and introduced a new target to increase material circularity in its direct operational control. The plan outlines the company’s comprehensive approach to advancing circularity, including target setting and the integration of circular economy principles into its strategy and daily operations.
Stora Enso, a global leader in renewable materials, has set a new target to achieve 90% material circularity in its direct operations by 2030, up from a baseline of 79% in 2025. The target reflects an expanded and more holistic approach, combining circular design, operational efficiency, and value chain collaboration to optimise the use of resources and minimise waste. It replaces the company’s previous technical recyclability target, which is now included as part of the broader material circularity metric.
The Global Circularity Protocol, launched in 2025 by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with industry and non-governmental organisations, provides a consistent and transparent framework for measuring and reporting circularity. Stora Enso is among the first companies to align with the protocol and has updated its external circularity metric accordingly.
“Until now, there has been no common framework for circularity comparable to what exists for climate and greenhouse gas emissions. The Global Circularity Protocol brings much-needed consistency and transparency, supporting both Stora Enso's strategy and our customers’ sustainability ambitions. We see this as an important first step in a broader journey, where collaboration across value chains will be essential to drive progress,” says Toby Croucher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Stora Enso.
By adopting the GCP framework, Stora Enso is helping advance a more transparent and consistent approach to measuring circularity across industries. The company’s new circularity target will be monitored and reported annually as part of Stora Enso’s Sustainability Statement and Annual Report.
“Our new circularity plan converts ambition into measurable progress. By embedding circularity across our value chain and leveraging renewable materials, we reinforce our commitment to responsible growth and long-term value creation for our stakeholders. Stora Enso aims to accelerate the transition to circular bioeconomy through further enhancing resource efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and supporting customers in achieving their sustainability goals,” says Hans Sohlström, President and CEO of Stora Enso.
“By aligning its circularity plan and targets with the GCP, Stora Enso is demonstrating leadership at a time when companies need consistent, comparable approaches to manage material flows, reduce risk and create long-term value. Early adopters like Stora Enso are helping to turn circularity from ambition into a actionable business practice, and setting an important signal for peers across sectors,” says Diane Holdorf, Executive Vice President, World Business Council for for Sustainable Development.
> Link to Circularity plan
Stora Enso is a global leader in renewable materials with a strong focus on packaging. Our purpose is to replace non-renewable materials with renewable solutions. Together with our customers, we design and deliver competitive, high-quality packaging materials and solutions, made from fresh and recycled fibers, accelerating the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Stora Enso has approximately 19,000 employees and our sales in 2025 were EUR 9.3 billion. www.storaenso.com.
STORA ENSO OYJ
For further information, please contact:
Liisa Nyyssönen
VP, Group Communications, Stora Enso
+358 40 544 3491
liisa.nyyssonen@storaenso.com
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