Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has opened a corrugated packaging production factory at its De Lier site in the Netherlands.

This new factory is the second to be built at the site and houses a fully automated paper reel warehouse, two corrugators, conversion machines powered by a multilevel conveyor, as well as an advanced waste management system. 

The high-tech facility comes with an improved internal transport system that enhances safety and therefore reduces the need for forklift trucks.

The factory has various sustainable features, including 3.8MWe photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roof to provide electricity, alongside residual heat from corrugators that are used for heating office buildings at the site.

Stora Enso's senior vice-president for its Western Europe, Packaging Solutions division Ad Smit said: “Expanding the facility with a new factory significantly optimises the flexibility and efficiency of our processes, making it possible for us to better support our customers in achieving their sustainability targets.”

The De Lier site is part of the recently acquired De Jong Packaging group.

According to Stora Enso, the expanded site is the largest and most modern corrugated packaging facility in Europe.

With approximately 500 employees, the site manufactures boxes and trays for fresh produce, horticultural and industrial applications, e-commerce and transport.

The factory is currently in its commissioning phase, with initial orders already being delivered.

Stora Enso Packaging Solutions division executive vice-president David Ekberg said: “This expansion allows us to grow our market share in renewable and circular packaging solutions while serving our customers from a highly favourable location in Western Europe. We are thrilled to reinforce our position as a strong regional player in Europe’s corrugated packaging market.”

Earlier this month, Stora Enso decided to permanently shut down one of its two paper machines at its facility in Anjalankoski, Finland.