Metsä Board has announced the completion of a €60 million modernisation project at its Simpele paperboard mill, marking a new chapter for its flagship MetsäBoard Classic FBB folding boxboard. The upgraded board machine is now fully operational, and the renewed material is available for customer deliveries.
Recognised as one of the leading consumer packaging boards, MetsäBoard Classic FBB is widely used across the food and healthcare sectors for its consistency and reliability. With the investment, the company has introduced modern curtain coating technology, enhancing print quality and visual uniformity. This upgrade is expected to deliver sharper, more vibrant print results, especially for high-demand packaging applications.
Esa Kaikkonen, CEO of Metsä Board, underlined the strategic value of the project: “Our customers face increasing pressure to meet stricter sustainability and safety standards, while also managing cost efficiency and waste reduction. We want to help them stay ahead – by offering solutions that are safe, reliable, and deliver excellent material efficiency, with a high-quality print surface for brand promotion.”
The modernisation involved a complete rebuild of the coating section, an expansion of the coating colour kitchen, and the installation of a new pallet packaging line. More than 430 professionals contributed to the project.
Sustainability remains central to Metsä Board’s strategy. At the Simpele mill, 89% of production energy was already fossil-free. With the new technology, this figure will rise to 98%, bringing the company closer to its goal of achieving fossil-free mills by 2030.
With this investment, Metsä Board reinforces its position as a packaging leader, combining enhanced performance with a clear commitment to sustainability – a dual advantage for brands facing fast-changing market and regulatory demands.