Displaying items by tag: Stora Enso

Stora Enso’s Sustainability Report 2015 has been ranked best in Finland in an independent review of annual sustainability reports commissioned by FIBS, Finland’s leading non-profit corporate responsibility network.

This is the second consecutive year Stora Enso’s report has earned this recognition. Stora Enso’s Sustainability Report 2015 was also given top ranking by the media and by students of corporate sustainability.

stora new1The FIBS review particularly appreciated Stora Enso’s comprehensive and balanced reporting on topics including global warming, biodiversity, and human rights, as well as good visuals and user experience.

“We are proud that our efforts in transparent reporting have been acknowledged,” says Noel Morrin, EVP Sustainability at Stora Enso. “Last year we introduced a simplified report structure that consistently presents the most material opportunities and challenges our company is facing. Looking forward, we have an ambition to have the key content of our report assured at the highest possible level.”

“In addition to being coherent and highly informative, we believe a good report must be easy to read and use for all of our stakeholders,” adds Ulrika Lilja, EVP Communications at Stora Enso. “We are pleased that our report is appreciated not only within the sustainability community, but also among the media and by students.”

This year’s FIBS review – the 21st of its kind – covered 146 sustainability reports, including reports produced by all the companies listed on Nasdaq Helsinki, as well as other selected reports from the private sector.

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.com

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Following its announcement in September 2016, Stora Enso has finalised the co-determination negotiations regarding the consolidation of manufacturing of corrugated packaging in Finland. Stora Enso’s corrugated packaging plant in Heinola will be closed permanently and packaging manufacturing transferred to the Lahti plant. The need for personnel reduction is expected to be 47 employees.

stora new1As part of the consolidation, Stora Enso will invest approximately EUR 19 million in new machinery and supporting infrastructure in Lahti. The project is expected to be finalised by the end of the first quarter 2018. The objective is to improve profitability and competitiveness by creating a centre of excellence for corrugated packaging in Lahti. Currently, Stora Enso employs approximately 420 people in its containerboard and corrugated packaging businesses in the Lahti–Heinola region.

Stora Enso will make every effort in co-operation with the local community to help the affected personnel find new employment opportunities, and all job openings in other Stora Enso units will be available to those affected.The corrugated packaging production at the Kristiinankaupunki and containerboard production at the Heinola Fluting Mill will not be affected.

For further information, please contact:
Carl Norell, SVP Communications, Packaging Solutions division, tel. +46 722 410 349

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.com

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Stora Enso was today classified as a global leader in terms of combatting global warming by the international not-for-profit organisation CDP, which works to drive sustainable economy. CDP has included Stora Enso on its new 2016 Climate A List, in recognition of the company’s long-term actions and strategy to reduce emissions. 

stora new1“Combatting global warming requires long-term efforts. Therefore Stora Enso has for over a decade been actively reducing the energy intensity of its operations and in many places also its dependency on fossil fuels,” says Noel Morrin, EVP Sustainability at Stora Enso.

“Today, over 75% of the energy the group generates and uses comes from carbon neutral sources inside and outside the company. It is our firm intention to drive down fossil fuel use even more over the next ten years to get as close to zero as possible using technically and commercially feasible means,” adds Morrin.

Stora Enso is among the 9% of corporations participating in CDP’s climate change programme to be awarded a position on the 2016 Climate A List.

Paul Simpson, chief executive officer of CDP says: “We congratulate the 193 A List companies that are leading the charge towards our low carbon future. Companies are key actors in enabling the global economy to achieve its new climate goals, and the leadership of this group points the way for others to take bold action and capitalise on the many opportunities that await.” 

Thousands of companies annually submit climate disclosures to CDP at the request of 827 investors representing USD 100 trillion in assets.

CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is an international, not-for-profit organisation providing the global system for companies, cities, states and regions to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP, voted number one climate research provider by investors, works with 827 institutional investors with assets of US$100 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. More than 5,600 companies disclosed environmental information through CDP in 2015. CDP now holds the most comprehensive collection globally of primary corporate environmental data and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.www.cdp.nethttps://www.cdp.net/en/research/global-reports/tracking-climate-progress-2016

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.com

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Stora Enso Imatra Mills introduced the Procemex web inspection and web monitoring system. The system helps Stora Enso to better investigate the root causes of web breaks, reduce the number of breaks and increase production efficiency.

Stora Enso Imatra Mills is the largest manufacturer of liquid packaging board in the world. Consumer packaging board used in contact with food and liquids must meet strict quality requirements set for food safety. What is more, no flavours can dissolve from the board into food products, and the products must be first-rate in terms of visual cleanliness.

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For several years, systems supplied by Procemex have been used in Stora Enso's board machine 4 (BM4) to indicate any defects in board quality and to reduce web breaks. In March 2016, Stora Enso Imatra Mills made a system modernisation investment to improve the quality of food packaging board and increase the efficiency of the board machine.

Why did you decide to upgrade your system?

“We compared three different suppliers and ended up with Procemex, first of all, because we have had positive experiences with the previous system and, secondly, because we were able to upgrade the previous system – without needing to acquire a completely new one. We also investigated what benefits we can gain from the upgrade. In the end, the decision was an easy one; after all, we obtained a wholly new system by simply upgrading the old one,” says Mr. Riku Suurnäkki, Production Manager of BM4.

“Both web break and web inspection/defect detection systems are critical elements in order to be able to operate these machines: web inspection in terms of the final cleanliness and the web break system in terms of production efficiency. If we encounter any problems with efficiency, the web break system allows us to identify the root cause of breaks, enabling us to resolve, or even eliminate, the problems.”

Stora Enso Imatra Mills defined new locations for cameras, together with machine operators, and, now, cameras indicate the locations where pulp starts to pile up. “Of course, it is essential to listen to users,” Suurnäkki says.

“The new system became a necessity after we identified that we need to improve the classification of defects and the usability of the system. The previous system was unable to reliably classify a certain common defect, and there were situations in which defects in board ended up in our plastic coating,” says Suurnäkki.

What benefits did the upgrade produce?

procemex logoThe new upgraded Procemex cameras have a significantly higher resolution, defects are now classified more closely, the detection of defects is now more visual and the system is easier to configure for each user.

“We can better detect any dirt and impurities,” says Vesa Koskinen, system specialist at Efora, who is responsible for the maintenance of the BM4 system.

Project management at the core

“On our part, the project did not get off to a textbook start, and we were forced to speed up the process. Procemex did an excellent job, even though the order-delivery schedule was very tight. The installation period was also tightly regulated and brief, but Procemex was able to ensure the resources required,” says production manager Riku Suurnäkki. “Commissioning, adjustments and links to mill systems – everything was done on time.”

User experiences

“The experience we have had so far indicate that the detection of defects is now much more visual than in the previous system, and the classification of defects has improved. Operators have already given us direct positive feedback, saying that the image quality is on a completely different level and, therefore, there are fewer web breaks,” Riku Suurnäkki says.

Usability and maintainability

“When acquiring new systems, usability and maintainability are among the most important criteria in order to keep our expensive machines and systems up and running. Cameras need to remain clean and the image quality must be high. The supplier must be quick and easy to reach,” Suurnäkki says, listing the criteria set for the new system.

“The new system improved overall reliability. We acquired new PCs and upgraded our cameras. Shifting to the new system was a simple process,” Vesa Koskinen says. “These Procemex Pinhole cameras are excellent, and they practically require no cleaning. The Pinhole cameras are in challenging locations, where pulp keeps flying every which way, but they are easy to keep clean. The new Procemex cameras offer an HD quality, the images they produce are on a whole different level, and lighting has been improved by using new Procemex LEDs. These new lights are much easier to control than the old ones.”

“It is easy to call Procemex whenever we need help, and it quickly responds to our questions,” Vesa Koskinen says.

Remote maintenance reporting

Stora Enso is using the Procemex remote reporting system, which offers preventive information, for example, about system performance, camera image quality, the operation of IT hardware and backups – it is a maintenance tool. The system produces monthly reports, creating comprehensive information about maintenance and raising a need for various tasks. “Procemex has very short delivery times for spare parts; of course, with the help of the preventive remote reporting system,” Koskinen says.

Continuous development

“We have new development projects in progress all the time, but we cannot say anything more about them at this stage. As requirements are becoming tighter and tighter, there is always something to improve. Procemex is an excellent partner in these projects.”

Stora Enso Imatra:
Stora Enso Imatra Mills is the largest manufacturer of liquid packaging board in the world. Imatra Mills consists of two mill units: Kaukopää and Tainionkoski. Together, these units employ approximately 1,000 people. The annual capacity of Imatra Mills is more than one million tonnes of board and paper. More than 90% of production is exported. The company's main market areas are located in Europe, while Southeast Asia forms another significant region.

Imatra Mills produces board and paper. Stora Enso manufactures liquid packaging board for milk and juice cartons, among others. Food packaging board is used to manufacture cups and different food packages. Packaging board is used in food, candy and cigarette packages. Package covers, cards and luxury packages are made from graphic board. Imatra Mills also manufactures packaging paper.

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Stora Enso plans to consolidate manufacturing of corrugated packaging in Finland to its Lahti plant. The objective is to improve profitability and competitiveness by creating a centre of excellence for corrugated packaging in Lahti.

stora new1As part of the possible consolidation, Stora Enso would invest approximately EUR 19 million in new machinery and supporting infrastructure in Lahti, where the most important individual investment item is a new corrugator. The proposed project is planned to start in November 2016 and is expected to be finalised by the end of the first quarter 2018.

According to the plan, the Heinola Corrugated plant would be closed permanently and packaging manufacturing transferred to the Lahti plant. Co-determination negotiations will start within Lahti and Heinola corrugated plants.

“The plan to potentially consolidate our corrugated operations in Finland is largely driven by the need to improve profitability and strengthen our competitive edge. In addition to the planned investment, our strong infrastructure in Lahti would provide us with a world-class asset base to better serve our customers,” says Peter Torstensson, SVP and Head of Corrugated Nordics, Division Packaging Solutions.

The possible personnel reduction within the corrugated plants in Lahti and Heinola combined is about 60 persons. Decisions regarding the planned consolidation, closure and employee reduction will be taken after the co-determination negotiations have been concluded. The corrugated packaging production at the Kristiinankaupunki plant will be continued. The Heinola Fluting mill for containerboard will not be affected.

The plan will have a negative impact of approximately EUR 9 million which will be recorded as an item affecting comparability (IAC) in Stora Enso’s third quarter 2016 results.

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.com

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Thursday, 01 September 2016 14:37

Stora Enso has completed the divestment of Kabel Mill

Stora Enso has completed the divestment announced on 1 June 2016 of its Kabel coated mechanical paper mill in Germany, to Kabel Premium Pulp & Paper GmbH, owned by a German based investor group.

stora new1The total cash consideration for the divestment is approximately EUR 25 million, subject to final closing adjustments.

The loss on disposal amounts in total to EUR 15 million. The effect on operating profit is approximately EUR 5 million, and the negative tax impact is approximately EUR 10 million. These were recorded as an item affecting comparability (IAC) in Stora Enso’s second quarter 2016 results. Approximately EUR 17 million of pension liabilities were transferred to the new owner with the transaction.

Based on 2015 annual figures, the transaction decreases Stora Enso’s annual sales by approximately EUR 300 million and simultaneously decreases Stora Enso’s annual coated mechanical paper production capacity by around 485 000 tonnes. The Kabel Mill employs approximately 540 people and was part of Stora Enso’s Paper division.

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.com

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Stora Enso has decided to commence a study in order to assess the feasibility of building a cross laminated timber (CLT) production unit in connection with its Gruvön Mill in Sweden. The expansion would add a total annual capacity of approximately 75 000 m3CLT.

stora new1The feasibility study will evaluate the profitability of the possible expansion, as well as integration benefits and design criteria for the plant. The investment under study would be cost competitive and would have synergies with the existing mill in Gruvön. The findings of a recently completed pre-feasibility study supported continuation of the process. The feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

If the investment is approved following the feasibility study, the capital expenditure for the expansion is estimated to be in the range of EUR 30−34 million, which falls within the group’s long term capital expenditure policy of keeping capital expenditure into fixed assets approximately at the same level as depreciation. In addition to fixed asset investments, Stora Enso invests approximately EUR 100 million annually in biological assets.   

“Our target is to grow cost competitive CLT capacity located favourably in relation to target markets. The existing Gruvön Mill has been selected due to its favourable logistics and secured raw material supply. By utilising our new competitive building materials, we aim to capture market share from competing materials in the construction sector. The decision regarding a possible expansion of Gruvön Mill will be made once the feasibility study has been completed,” says Jari Suominen, EVP Division Wood Products.

Currently, Stora Enso has an annual capacity of 130 000 m3CLT at its Bad St. Leonhard and Ybbs mills in Austria. Gruvön Mill has an annual capacity of 370 000 m3sawn timber of which 150 000 m3are further processed wood products. The mill also produces 100 000 tonnes of pellets annually. Gruvön Mill employs 115 people.

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.com

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In its ruling issued on the 22nd June 2016, the Helsinki District Court dismissed Metsähallitus’ claim for damages against Stora Enso Oyj, Metsäliitto Cooperative and UPM-Kymmene Oyj. The claim was based on the competition infringement found by the Finnish Market Court in its decision on 3 December 2009.

stora new1According to Metsähallitus’ claim, the companies had caused damage to Metsähallitus through the competition infringement found by the Market Court in its decision on 3 December 2009. According to Metsähallitus, the companies had purchased roundwood from Metsähallitus below market prices during 1997–2005.

Originally in 2011, Metsähallitus was claiming compensation for damage in a capital amount of EUR 282.5 million. The claim was reduced during the legal proceedings to EUR 159.4 million, of which approximately EUR 87.2 million were based on roundwood transactions between Metsähallitus and Stora Enso.

Stora Enso considers the ruling by the District Court to be correct, and denies that Metsähallitus suffered any damages.

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. www.storaenso.com

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200 guests from around the world joined Stora Enso today at the official inauguration of the new consumer board mill in Beihai, China.

Stora Enso inaugurates its new consumer board mill in Beihai, China. The mill started up in May and it is expected to reach full production within 18 to 24 months. With an investment of EUR 800 million, this is the largest Nordic direct investment in China, and a significant investment in the history of Stora Enso.

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The Beihai consumer board mill has an annual capacity of 450,000 tonnes of high-grade carton board products. One of the key end products is Liquid Packaging Board, of which more than 80 per cent today is imported to China. Stora Enso is the world-leading producer of this product, which is one of the most demanding and high value-added products in this industry.

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“We are delighted to announce the official opening of the Stora Enso consumer board mill in China. This is a very important milestone for us”, says Stora Enso’s CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström. “China is a market with high potential and the start-up of our consumer board mill is crucial to meet the growing demand for high-quality and safe fiber-based food packaging in China and the Asia Pacific region.”

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The consumer board mill is located in the Tieshangang industrial zone of the Guangxi region, 40 miles outside of Beihai city. Stora Enso’s operations in the Guangxi region also consist of tree plantations with around 85,000 hectares of land leased since 2012. The plantations have been certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and the China Forest Certification Council (CFCC), and they will provide a sustainable, cost-competitive and self-sufficient fibre base for the mill.

Stora Enso Communications’ FSC ® trademark license number is FSC-N001919.

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Stora Enso will invest EUR 26.5 million in Skutskär pulp mill to increase its fluff capacity to meet the growing demand in the hygiene market. 

stora new1The investment will enhance Skutskär Mill’s profitability and long-term competitiveness by increasing fluff production by approximately 160 000 tonnes annually. The mill’s softwood capacity is expected to be reduced by 160 000 tonnes, starting from year 2018. The total fluff pulp capacity of the mill after the investment will amount to 415 000 tonnes.

The investment supports Stora Enso’s strategy of transforming into a customer-focused renewable materials growth company. The aim is to develop further the current market pulp business and to focus more on growth segments.

“Both hygiene and non-woven products are a fast-growing market. This investment will enable us to support the growth of our customers and further develop this business together with them,” says Juan Carlos Bueno, EVP, Stora Enso’s Biomaterials division.

The investment is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2018, and it falls within the group’s capital expenditure guidance given earlier. The investment includes the necessary changes to one of the drying machines.

Stora Enso’s Skutskär Mill produces Northern bleached kraft softwood pulp (NBSK), softwood fluff pulp and bleached hardwood pulp (birch). The total annual capacity of the mill is 540 000 tonnes. The fluff pulp is mainly used in airlaid hygiene products such as diapers, feminine care products and adult incontinence products. It is also used in tabletop products and wipes.

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) on the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. storaenso.co

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