Stora Enso invests in biocomposite granules in Hylte, Sweden

Stora Enso is investing EUR 12 million to build a new production line that will manufacture biocomposite granules at Hylte Mill in Sweden. Biocomposite granules enable the use of renewable wood to substitute a large portion of the fossil-based materials in products typically produced in plastics. Production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2018. The annual capacity will be approximately 15 000 tonnes per year. The ramp-up of the new production line and a new type of manufacturing is expected to take 2–3 years.

“This investment is part of Stora Enso’s transformation into a renewable materials company and demonstrates our ability to provide an innovative and more sustainable alternative to plastics. With this new biocomposite production line, we are well positioned to capture growth opportunities in climate and environmental friendly materials,” says Jari Suominen, EVP, Head of Stora Enso’s Wood Products division.

At Hylte Mill, Stora Enso can make best use of the resources available: an industrial infrastructure, the local supply of raw material and a highly competent workforce. The estimated total employment impact for Hylte is 20 FTE’s.

Once finalised, the investment will increase Stora Enso’s Wood Products sales by approximately EUR 25 million and will exceed the division's profitability target, operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 18%. The biocomposite business will belong to the Wood Products division.

Biocomposite granules are a mix of wood fibres, polymers and additives and are used as raw material for injection moulding and the extrusion of products traditionally manufactured solely from plastic. The material can be used in a wide range of products from consumer goods (dish brushes, pots, etc.) to industrial applications, such as pallets or load bearing structures reinforced by glass fibre.

For further information, please contact:
Cathrine Wallenius, SVP Communications, Stora Enso Wood Products division, tel. +46 70 209 2429

Investor enquiries:
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, SVP, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 763 8767

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace fossil-based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 26 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2015 were EUR 10.0 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:
Cathrine Wallenius
SVP Communications, Stora Enso Wood Products division
tel. +46 70 209 2429

Investor enquiries:
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio
SVP, Investor Relations
tel. +358 40 763 8767