Metsä Board’s comparable operating result in 2024 January–September was EUR 73 million
Metsä Board’s CEO Mika Joukio: ”In 2024, demand for fresh fibre paperboards has clearly improved from last year’s record-low level, although demand growth has been somewhat slower than expected. At the beginning of the year, demand was boosted by restocking in the value chain, which levelled out towards the end of the first half. In July–September, the demand and price situation for paperboards was similar to the previous quarter. Due to higher living costs, consumers’ purchasing behaviour remained relatively cautious, and consumption is more focused on services than on products. Metsä Board’s first half was overshadowed by the political strikes in Finland and the gas explosion at Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproduct mill. These caused us large production and sales losses and significant additional costs. We expect the negative impact on the operating result to total EUR 65 million, including the impact of Metsä Fibre’s share of the result. The July–September result includes EUR 23 million in insurance compensation related to the gas explosion in Kemi. Negotiations with the insurance consortium are still ongoing.