SCA closes its last publication paper machine

Sappi Europe’s Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland, has successfully made the switch from using fossil fuels to renewable energy to fuel the production of the Galerie paper range. A €16.5 million investment into state-of-the-art facilities and machinery for the reception, storage and handling of biofuels is the latest in a string of efforts by Sappi in meeting its Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-approved emissions reduction goal across all its regions. Biomass residues such as bark, sawdust and wood chips, largely locally sourced, now fuel the Kirkniemi Mill Galerie paper operations, setting the stage for a 90% reduction in direct fossil greenhouse gas emissions. This upgrade now works alongside the multi-fuel boiler built in 2015, enabling the mill to reduce nearly 230,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. This means that Kirkniemi Mill is now able to reduce the carbon footprint of the Galerie paper range by 40%. All this comes as part of a longstanding sustainability focus at Kirkniemi that has, in recent years, brought continuous improvements in environmental performance across areas including freshwater usage, emissions to watercourses and energy efficiency.

Total European shipments of graphic papers in May 2017 were UP 3.8% vs. May 2016 and were down 1.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in May 2017 were down 1.9% vs. May 2016 and were down 4.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine papers in May 2017 were UP 6.5% vs. May 2016 and were UP 3.1% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in May 2017 were UP 5.7% vs. May 2016 and were down 2.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in May 2017 were UP 4.9% vs. May 2016 and were UP 1.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree papers in May 2017 were UP 10.0% vs. May 2016 and were UP 0.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree papers in May 2017 were UP 2.0% vs. May 2016 and were down 0.7% year-to-date. Click Read More below for additional details.

Stora Enso has initiated a sales process for a possible divestment of four paper production sites. In line with Stora Enso’s strategy, paper is not a strategic growth area for the Group. The divestment intent is aligned with the Group’s strategy to focus on long-term growth potential for its renewable products in packaging, building solutions and biomaterials innovations. Stora Enso’s paper production sites intended for divestment are: Anjala in Finland, Hylte and Nymölla in Sweden, and Maxau in Germany. The assets are high-quality sites for paper and pulp production with strong infrastructure, and skilled and experienced staff.