Helsinki, Finland 23 May 2012 -- Stora Enso’s transformation continues, and as a tangible proof of this strategic journey the new containerboard machine at Ostrołęka in Poland was officially inaugurated on 23 May. The crown jewel of Ostrołęka Mill, the new light-weight containerboard machine that went on stream in early 2013, runs exclusively on recovered fibre.

“We have to continue to rethink, and the investment in Poland is another step in our transformation into a value-creating renewable materials company focusing on growth markets,” says Stora Enso CEO Jouko Karvinen.

“The demand for modern light-weight corrugated packaging is increasing rapidly. The market in Central and Eastern Europe will grow by over 5% per year,” says Mats Nordlander, EVP, Renewable Packaging. “Our new BM 5 will strengthen our position in the growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe, and at the same time supporting our packaging growth strategy.”

New containerboard machine – a sustainable investment

Stora Enso’s integrated network for collecting paper for recycling in Poland, the new efficient power plant that uses more than 50% biofuels and this new state-of-the-art containerboard machine with low energy consumption will make Ostrołęka the benchmark for cost and product offering in Europe.

Stora Enso has established its own collection system in Poland based on collection and sorting stations that it has set up around the country. The packaging material it collects is transported to those collection stations, where it is separated from other waste material and baled. The final raw material is then transported to Stora Enso’s mill at Ostrołęka and made into new products: cardboard boxes and board packaging.

“The board waste may just look like colourful rubbish to some, but this raw material keeps huge board machines in motion. True recycling means more than just sorting. It means that perfectly functional new products are made from the recycled materials,” says Jerzy Janowicz, Mill Director of Ostrołęka Mill.