Logout
Click here for Pulp & Paper Radio International
The Paperitalo Library
Free Downloads
Search
My Profile
Login
Stora Enso: Transformation into a renewable materials growth company continues
Print

FINLAND (News release) -- Stora Enso is progressing on its journey of transformation into a renewable materials growth company. Our plan is to grow in packaging, building solutions and biomaterials innovations, shifting the strategic focus of our portfolio even further towards these growth areas. In line with this strategy, Stora Enso is restructuring its paper business due to global market decline, resulting in paper mill closures and divestments, but also investments in increased competitiveness.

The global decline in paper demand has been ongoing for over two decades now. This trend has further accelerated due to the pandemic, which has led to changes in consumer behaviour, resulting in overcapacity and historically low price levels. In 2020, European paper consumption fell by 18%.

Paper demand is not expected to recover from current levels, but the decline in demand is forecast to continue at the same or a somewhat slower pace. This means that restructuring is necessary.

Taking steps forward on the transformation journey

The recently announced measures are important steps in a longer journey Stora Enso has been on for over a decade, transforming from being a traditional paper company to becoming a renewable materials growth company.

'We have continuously adapted to limit the impact of the declining paper market, while remaining able to benefit from the cash flow that the paper business provides,' says Seppo Parvi, CFO at Stora Enso.

After the ongoing restructuring, the Paper division's share of the Group sales will be reduced to slightly above 10%. These actions will have significant effects on our business: our paper production capacity will decrease by 42% (1.6 million tonnes) to 2.2 million tonnes per year.

The closures of Kvarnsveden and Veitsiluoto will also improve our environmental performance by reducing our CO2e emissions annually by 8% (from Scopes 1 and 2, i.e. fossil fuels used and electricity purchased for production).

Aiming to ensure competitiveness

In addition to accelerating Stora Enso's transformation journey, the goal for adapting production in the declining markets is to improve the competitiveness of our total paper business.

'The role of the Paper division in Stora Enso's strategy is to provide strong cash generation through cost reductions and active capacity management. This is why ensuring competitiveness and profitability are a top priority going forward,' says Kati ter Horst, Executive Vice President, Paper division.

Stora Enso recently announced investments in modernising two paper mills, Anjala-Ingerois and Nymölla.

'These investments will improve the competitiveness of both production units and at the same time contribute to our sustainability performance,' says Kati ter Horst.

In addition, we also want to provide our paper business with a higher degree of operational independence to adapt to challenging market conditions. That way, we can be more agile in adapting costs and operational processes to the division's requirement.

Focus on growth areas

The planned restructuring in paper business strongly supports Stora Enso's strategy of shaping our business for accelerated growth and value.

We focus on packaging, building solutions and biomaterials innovations. These are the areas where we see strong growth potential and where renewable materials can best meet demands for eco-friendly and circular products. In these areas we already have leading positions and can build on existing strengths in order to grow more rapidly.

Readers, please tell your suppliers that you read Paperitalo Publications

 

Related Articles:


Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: