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Investments
KYRO FOLDING BOXBOARD MILL
ÄÄNEKOSKI FOLDING BOXBOARD MILL
The Kyro board mill produces fully coated folding boxboards with a coated reverse side, as well as dispersion coated barrier boards. Dispersion coating provides medium-strong protection against grease and moisture, helping to reduce the use of plastic in food packaging. In addition, it is fully recyclable and compostable – even in home composters. In the early 2020s, a chain of investments was launched at the Kyro mill. In 2021, the mill’s finishing process was modernised, occupational safety at the facility was improved, and product quality improvements were also completed. In 2022, Metsä Board invested in a new back-pressure steam turbine and generator for the Kyro mill’s biopower plant. The investment will increase the mill’s own fossil free electricity production and significantly contribute to the company’s 2030 fossil free targets. Once the work is completed in 2024, the fossil free electricity generated by the biopower plant will account for 50 per cent of the mill’s electricity consumption. The mill is already self-suffi- cient in heat. Over the next ten years, Metsä Board will invest a total of EUR 250 million in the Simpele and Kyro mills. Pre-engineering has begun at Kyro, and an investment decision is expected to be made in the first half of 2025. Benefits for customers: The goal of the Kyro mill’s planned investments is to offer customers new alternatives for reducing plastics use in an even wider end use area.
The Äänekoski board mill produces coated folding boxboard for demanding packaging and graphical end uses. It is part of the Äänekoski mill integrate, which also houses Metsä Board’s Excellence Centre, Metsä Fibre’s bioproduct mill, Metsä Wood’s birch veneer mill, the Pro Nemus visitor centre, Metsä Spring’s textile fibre demo plant, and the 3D demo plant. Most investments have been life-cycle initiatives aimed at main- taining the mill’s efficiency and keeping it in excellent condition. The mill’s sheet-cutting facility was modernised in 2019, increasing the sheet-cutting capacity to 140,000 tonnes. The Äänekoski mill’s energy and resource efficiency has been systematically improved with small investments. In 2024, a major office renovation was carried out at the mill, including the construction of a new canteen, which was an important investment in workplace wellbeing for employees working at the mill. Benefits for customers: Life-cycle investments influence both prod- uct and sheet-cutting quality. A well-functioning mill and a modern sheet-cutting facility ensure reliable deliveries and operations free of interruptions.
Grade produced at the mill: MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright
Grades produced at the mill: MetsäBoard Prime FBB Bright MetsäBoard Prime FBB EB
Personnel Capacity kt/a 200 260
Personnel Capacity kt/a 150 190
Kyro is Metsä Board’s only board mill that produces, in addition to folding boxboard, dispersion coated paperboard which is easily recyclable and both home and industrially compostable.
The neighbouring Excellence Centre can be accessed directly from the mill, improving develop- ment and quality cooperation.
KASKINEN BCTMP MILL
The Kaskinen BCTMP mill produces bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP). It is used in the middle layer of folding boxboards to make the structure lightweight yet stiff. A considerable share of the BCTMP produced in Kaskinen is shipped to the Metsä Board Husum mill in Sweden. Over the years, several investments have been made in improve the life-cycle of products and safety at the Kaski- nen mill. The goal has been to maintain the mill in excellent condition and secure continuous operations. An extensive life-cycle investment related to the automation system was launched in 2023 and is currently underway until 2025.
Benefits for customers: Product quality and delivery reliability will remain at a high level when the mill is in excellent condition, and the equipment functions as expected.
Personnel Capacity kt/a 80 390
The Kaskinen mill is Europe’s largest and most modern BCTMP mill, with a direct route to the port where most deliveries leave.
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