Metsa Board, a Finnish packaging company, modernised its Simpele board mill in south-east Finland to enhance the quality of the company’s folding boxboard and increase production efficiency.
The Simpele mill produces high-quality, lightweight folding boxboard, primarily utilised in food and pharmaceutical packaging.
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The modernisation project was supported by an investment of €60m, with more than 430 professionals involved in delivering the project.
It is part of a comprehensive investment programme designed to modernise the Simpele board mill in phases over the coming decade.
The upgraded board machine at the mill commenced operations in October 2025.
Metsa Simpele Board Mill modernisation project details
The Simpele board mill modernisation project encompassed the upgrade of the board machine, which improved the surface quality and printability of the MetsaBoard Classic FBB folding boxboard.
The technology required for the refurbishment of the board machine was acquired in June 2024.
The installation of new pre-drying and coating sections was completed during the mill’s maintenance shutdown in autumn 2025.
The upgrade also included expansion of the coating colour kitchen and installation of a new pallet packaging line.
The project augmented the mill’s production capacity by approximately 10,000 tonnes per annum (tpa), increasing the capacity of Simpele folding boxboard to around 310,000tpa.
Moreover, the project facilitated the replacement of fossil fuels in paperboard production, aligning with Metsa Board’s ambition to achieve fossil-free production across all mills by the end of 2030. Previously, liquified petroleum gas was used to dry the coating and in sheet packing. The modernisation introduced drying systems powered by fossil-free electricity.
Subsequent phases of the project will involve upgrading mechanical pulp production in the finishing area as well as the construction of a new power plant.
Simpele folding boxboard details
Metsa Board’s folding boxboards feature high yield, exceptional printability and superior safety for a diverse array of packaging applications.
The folding boxboards are crafted from renewable, pure, fresh fibres that can be fully traceable to their origins in sustainably managed Northern European forests. These boxboards are both recyclable and industrially compostable, and they endorse the principle of the circular economy.
The company offers a variety of folding boxboard types, including MetsaBoard Classic FBB, a fully coated, hard-sized GC2 folding boxboard suitable for applications such as food, beverages, frozen food, healthcare, and retail-ready and general packaging.
MetsaBoard Natural FBB is an uncoated, hard-sized, optical brightening agent (OBA)-free folding boxboard available in thicknesses from 310 micrometres (μm) to 610μm. It caters to applications in beauty, healthcare, food, beverages, frozen and chilled food and trays, as well as plates, folded trays, fast food applications and food service.
MetsaBoard Prime FBB Bright is a fully coated bleached paperboard with a coated reverse side, available in thicknesses from 210μm to 650μm.
MetsaBoard Prime FBB EB is a fully coated paperboard featuring a dispersion barrier coating that provides medium grease and moisture resistance. It is hard-sized, OBA-free and devoid of fluorinated chemicals, with thicknesses from 305μm to 600μm.
MetsaBoard Pro FBB Bright is a fully coated bleached paperboard with a white reverse side, suitable for chocolate and confectionery, food, healthcare, beauty and consumer electronics, as well as cards, beverages and point-of-sale materials. It is available in thicknesses from 305μm to 600μm.
MetsaBoard Pro FBB OBA free is a fully coated, hard-sized folding boxboard that is free from OBA and is available in thicknesses from 310μm to 610μm.
Marketing commentary on Metsa Board
Metsa Board, a part of Metsa Group, operates seven production units equipped with cutting-edge machinery in Finland and Sweden. It boasts an annual paperboard production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes.
The company is a producer of lightweight, high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners.
Metsa’s Simpele board mill was established in 1896 and employs 270 individuals.
