Finland-based paper and pulp company Metsä Board has commenced production of a new paperboard sheeting line at its Äänekoski mill.
The company started the construction of the sheeting line with an €11m investment in November 2018.
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Metsä Board expects that the sheeting line will allow the company to continue to meet growing consumer demand.
With this new line, the annual production capacity of Äänekoski facility is expected to increase by 35,000t, bringing the total capacity to 120,000t.
The company also enhanced the existing sheet cutters with additional automation, as well as added cutter reel handling and storage equipment.
Metsä currently manufactures premium-coated folding boxboard for various packaging and graphical end-uses at its Äänekoski plant.
The company’s Pro FBB Bright is a coated and bleached folding boxboard with a white back.
The lightweight and stiff multi-purpose board is recommended for packaging purposes such as chocolate and confectionery, food, healthcare and beauty care, wine and spirits, consumer electronics, point-of-sales materials and for graphic applications.
In June, Metsä Board announced plans to establish a paperboard and packaging excellence centre in Äänekoski.
The Finland-based company deployed artificial intelligence (AI) software on its folding boxboard machine at its Kyro mill last month.
Last week, the company was approached by Finnish artisan honey producer Korpikuusikko Honey to create a packaging concept for its product.
