Stora Enso is the global rethinker of the paper, biomaterials, wood products and packaging industry. Packaging based on wood fibre offers steady long-term growth in most segments and has vast innovation potential. Stora Enso always wants to rethink the old and expand to the new to offer its customers innovative solutions based on renewable materials.
Renewable packaging for foodstuffs
In recent years Stora Enso has launched several new packaging solutions, which are recyclable and, in some cases, also compostable. Examples include renewable packaging for foodstuffs to replace plastic trays, and microwaveable and ovenproof food packages that can replace aluminium trays. Stora Enso has also launched biodegradable packaging boards for use in cups, plates, trays and folding cartons; as well as lighter liquid packaging board. Stora Enso’s products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many products made from competing non-renewable materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint.
Micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) for renewable packaging
Stora Enso’s visions for the future include new materials such as our micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). This technology offers a new kind of fibre-based material for renewable packaging, with considerable potential for further applications in other industries. MFC technology is already giving Stora Enso opportunities to further reduce the amounts of raw materials used in packaging products.
In 2011, 0.7% of Stora Enso’s revenue, amounting to €80.1m, was reinvested into R&D activities, bringing environmental benefits such as improved resource efficiency and minimised environmental footprints. In addition to developing new products and innovations, the development work also strives to continuously improve the use of raw materials, energy, water and other resources.
Liquid packaging board
Liquid packaging board is one of Stora Enso’s strategic focus areas. The rapidly expanding Chinese market offers huge demand for Stora Enso’s products. In spring 2012 Stora Enso announced that it plans to build integrated board and pulp mills at Beihai, southern China. The operations will be managed by an equity joint-venture company established by Stora Enso (85%) and the Guangxi Forestry Group (15%), a state-owned company under the Guangxi provincial government.
The joint venture will serve the fast-growing market for liquid packaging board and other premium consumer board grades. Plantation-based pulp allows low-cost fibre to be secured for production. This investment will also enable Stora Enso to provide excellent service with cost-competitive, locally produced high-quality board on a regional basis for its global key customers that are already well established in China.
Consumer packaging for consumer goods
Stora Enso has also acquired majority shareholding in packaging company Inpac International, which has plants in Qian’an in northern China, Dongguan in southern China and Chennai in India. Inpac specialises in manufacturing consumer packaging for global manufacturers of mobile phones and other consumer goods. Stora Enso Inpac Delta India specialises in consumer packaging products for high-end customers in the telecom, electronics, food, healthcare and footwear segments.
In September 2012 Stora Enso announced the expansion of its renewable packaging business to Pakistan. The joint venture, called Bulleh Shah Packaging (Private) Limited with Packages Ltd of Pakistan, will include two plants, offering packaging products to local and international customers in the fast-growing Pakistani market.
"This is an example of Stora Enso’s investments in value-creating growth markets. The Pakistani market, with growing demand for packaging products and paperboard, offers an attractive growth opportunity for us and the joint venture will enable us to increase our capability to serve our key customers," says Mats Nordlander, executive vice president, renewable packaging business area.
