Metsä Board has inaugurated the largest and most modern machine for folding boxboard in Europe at its Husum site in Sweden. The BM1 folding box machine was commissioned in 2016 with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year.
In order to meet the growing demand for sustainably produced packaging materials that support the circular economy, the Finnish cardboard manufacturer decided to invest a further 230 million euros to increase its annual capacity to 600,000 tonnes. Today, the BM1 is the Largest and most modern machine of its kind in Europe. It is powered by 98 per cent renewable energy.
„With the investment in the folding boxboard capacity in Husum, Metsä Board is well positioned to meet the growing demand for fibre-based packaging materials. We are committed to supporting our customers with high-quality and resource-efficient solutions that help replace fossil-based materials and promote the circular economy.“
Mika JoukioCEO of Metsä Board
In addition to expanding capacity, the project also included the Modernisation of the entire cardboard factory and the creation of more storage capacity in the harbour. The main components of the investment are the expansion of the dryer section of the board machine, a new winder and an automatic roll handling system. The new, fully automatic reel transfer and control system is unique in the cardboard industry.
„The combination of the most modern technologies available with a very high level of automation solutions gives us both a safer factory and many new opportunities for improvement.“
Olov Winblad from Walter, VP Husum Board and Pulp Mill
Metsä Board Husum's extensive investment programme took place between 2019 and 2023. The first phase was already completed in December 2022 and included a new recovery boiler and a new turbine in the pulp mill Husum with investment costs of 380 million euros. The new modern facilities and processes will enable the Husum plant to significantly increase bio-based energy production and energy efficiency, contributing to Metsä Board's goal of using no fossil fuels by the end of 2030.
The Husum plant is one of the largest employers in the municipality of Örnsköldsvik and plays an important role for the region and in the large-scale conversion to the bioeconomy. Project partners and representatives from the municipality of Örnsköldsvik, the Swedish parliament and the forest industry were among those invited to the inauguration ceremony. In addition, Husum's products make a significant contribution to providing alternatives to fossil-based materials in consumer packaging worldwide, with the most important markets being Europe and North America.
Source: Metsä Board
