FINLAND (News release) -- Metsä Group's tissue and greaseproof paper business is investing in three new state-of-the-art converting lines for folded and rolled tissue paper to its mill in Mariestad, Sweden. The investment will enable large scale high quality hand towel production in Scandinavia. In addition it entails efficiency and energy savings as well as improved working environment and safety.

Metsä is investing SEK 4.2 billion (Euro 370 million) in the expansion and modernization of the Mariestad tissue paper mill, and the new converting lines are part of this extensive project. The expansion is focused on sustainable fresh fibre production, where the total share of fresh fibre-based products produced at the mill will be 80% after the expansion is completed in the second half of 2025.

Valmet Tissue Converting S.p.A. has been commissioned to deliver two new converting lines to produce rolled tissue papers for the consumer market and C.G Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc. to deliver one converting line for folded paper towels for professional use.

The new converting lines have a total capacity of 70,000 tons of tissue paper.

After the expansion, the mill will have nine converting lines. The new tissue lines are planned to be commissioned in the Q2 and Q3 2025. The parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the investments.

Metsä Group's Tissue and Greaseproof Papers business, or Metsä Tissue, produces hygiene products for households and professionals, and greaseproof papers for food preparation and packaging.