Metsä Board advances US$70M upgrade at Simpele Mill for sustainable packaging

FINLAND – Finnish packaging company Metsä Board is set to launch a US$70 million modernization project at its Simpele mill in September 2025.

The project aims to enhance the quality of its MetsäBoard Classic FBB folding boxboard and accelerate the shift to fossil-free production. 

The initiative targets the high-volume food and healthcare sectors, which demand reliable and efficient packaging solutions.

The upgrade introduces advanced curtain coating technology to improve the print surface and visual quality of MetsäBoard Classic FBB. 

This technology ensures more consistent print results and sharper details, ideal for demanding packaging applications. 

According to Simpele mill vice-president Toni Tahvanainen, preparations have progressed smoothly, with over 35 truckloads of equipment expected from suppliers and more than 430 professionals working on-site during the installation phase.

Scheduled for a five-week shutdown, the project includes modernizing the coating section, expanding the coating kitchen, and installing a new pallet packaging line. 

The enhanced production line is expected to resume operations in early October 2025.

Currently, 89% of the mill’s energy comes from fossil-free sources, and the upgrades are projected to increase this to 98% by the end of 2025, aligning with stringent sustainability goals.

Metsä Board CEO Esa Kaikkonen stated, “Our goal is to offer brand owners a competitive packaging option that excels in quality and environmental performance, meeting the increasingly strict sustainability and regulatory standards.”

In a related development, Metsä Board announced in January 2025 plans to close its Tako mill in Tampere and improve efficiency at its Kyro mill in Kyröskoski. 

A recent life cycle assessment, verified by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, revealed that switching to Metsä Board’s folding boxboard can reduce the carbon footprint of food packaging by over 60% compared to white-lined chipboard.

The Simpele mill upgrade is part of a broader investment program to be implemented in phases over the next decade, including potential enhancements in mechanical pulp production and a new power plant. 

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