Stora Enso invests EUR 40 million to enhance operational and carbon footprint performance for fluff pulp production
STORA ENSO OYJ INVESTOR NEWS RELEASE 28 January 2022 at 08:30 EET
Stora Enso will invest EUR 40 million in new technology and restructuring of its fluff pulp production site in Skutskär, Sweden. The objective is to increase cost efficiencies and further improve the site’s climate footprint, thereby aligning with Stora Enso’s goal to provide regenerative solutions.
Stora Enso is Europe’s leading producer of fluff pulp. The Skutskär site produces fluff pulp used in hygiene products such as baby diapers, feminine care and adult incontinence protection products, as well as in air-laid nonwovens such as wipes, napkins and medical pads. The investment in new bleaching technology supports Stora Enso’s ambitious climate targets and will enhance both operational efficiency and the site’s carbon footprint performance.
With its science-based targets updated in 2021, Stora Enso commits to reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 50% by 2030, aligned with the 1.5-degree scenario. The transition to new technology will enable a carbon footprint reduction of 5% for the site’s products through resource and energy efficiencies.
“Both with our products and in our operations, we aim for maximal performance with minimal impact on the environment. Our Skutskär site is already close to carbon neutral, and through this investment we are now taking the next important step towards a climate-positive contribution. Moreover, technology upgrade investments will further sharpen our competitiveness in the growing hygiene products sector,” says Johanna Hagelberg, Executive Vice President, Biomaterials division at Stora Enso.
The investment will enable the number of bleach lines to be reduced from three to two, improving cost competitiveness and creating opportunities for future development. Implementation is planned to start in Q1 2022, with the upgraded bleaching plant estimated to be in operation in Q2 2023, followed by decommissioning and closure of the obsolete bleach line in Q2 2024.
The Skutskär site has an annual production capacity of 540,000 tonnes. It produces fluff, hardwood and softwood kraft pulp. The site employs approximately 420 people.
For further information, please contact:
Carl Norell
Acting EVP, Communications and Marketing, Stora Enso
Tel. +46 72 241 0349
Investor enquiries:
Anna-Lena Åström
SVP Investor Relations
Tel. +46 70 210 7691
Part of the global bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials, wooden construction and paper, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has approximately 22,000 employees and our sales in 2021 were EUR 10.2 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (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:
Carl Norell
Acting EVP, Communications and Marketing, Stora Enso
Tel. +46 72 241 0349
Investor enquiries:
Anna-Lena Åström
SVP Investor Relations
Tel. +46 70 210 7691