Scaling efficiency: Stora Enso’s lightweight fiber-based packaging investment in Oulu, Finland

Stora Enso, a global leader in renewable products in packaging, biomaterials, and wooden construction, recently launched Performa Nova, a new lightweight folding boxboard (FBB). Developed using Stora Enso’s proprietary FiberLight Tec™ technology, Performa Nova enables source reduction, i.e., producing more packaging material using less raw material, while maintaining strength and functionality. The material is optimised for demanding applications such as frozen, chilled, and dry food packaging, supporting the shift towards lighter, high-efficiency packaging solutions across Europe.

Performa Nova is produced at Stora Enso’s Oulu, Finland site, which recently underwent a significant transformation. Stora Enso invested EUR 1 billion to convert an idle paper machine into a state-of-the-art consumer packaging line with a 750,000-ton annual capacity. This investment aligns with the growing demand for renewable packaging solutions, particularly in the food and beverage sectors.

Potential future developments

Looking ahead, Performa Nova is positioned to meet evolving market demands and enhance competitiveness. The Oulu site’s new production line is expected to reach full capacity by 2027, generating approximately EUR 800 million in annual sales. The lightweight nature of Performa Nova reduces material usage and transportation emissions, aligning with broader decarbonization goals. Continued investments in technologies like FiberLight Tec™ can further improve energy efficiency and product performance. As consumer demand shifts towards renewable packaging, Performa Nova places Europe at the forefront of sustainable packaging innovation, offering scalable solutions that address both environmental concerns and market needs.

Current contribution

Stora Enso’s investment and product innovation bolster the EU bioeconomy by enhancing regional employment, economic growth, and sustainable resource management. The Oulu site’s transformation has created approximately 300 direct jobs and an estimated 1,500 indirect employment opportunities, invigorating the local economy. By utilising fibre from forests managed according to sustainable principles, the project prioritises responsible renewable natural resource use. The site’s total Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions will remain at a low level having been reduced by 80% during a machine conversion in 2021.

Performa Nova exemplifies the EU’s drive toward sustainable industrial transformation by enabling more efficient use of raw materials and promoting recyclable packaging solutions. It reflects Europe’s leadership in advancing high-performance fibre-based materials that contribute to reducing packaging waste and strengthening circular value chains.