HELSINKI -- Stora Enso says it has successfully converted a fine paper machine at Varkaus Mill to produce virgin-fibre-based containerboard.

Stora Enso invested Euro 110 million in the conversion work, which took place in 2015. Kraftliner production began in October 2015 and full production is expected in early 2017. The capacity of the Varkaus Mill will be about 390,000 tonnes of light-weight kraftliner per year.

Moreover, Stora Enso has built a new production line in Varkaus Mill that will make wooden building elements, laminated veneer lumber (LVL). The investment of Euro 43 million will further enhance Stora Enso's position as a global provider of high quality engineered wooden elements. The production is scheduled to begin in June 2016, and the estimated yearly capacity will be around 100,000 cubic metres.

"Both investments in Varkaus are part of Stora Enso's transformation into a customer-focused renewable materials company," says Karl-Henrik Sundström, CEO of Stora Enso. "By converting the fine paper mill into a kraftliner mill we are responding to the increasing global market need for renewable packaging, while the new LVL production line will meet the growing need for sustainable wood products for construction and industrial applications."

The renewed mill directly employs some 400 people and the estimated total employment impact for the Varkaus region is 1 600 FTEs. The investments in Varkaus will increase the demand for softwood raw material by about 1.3 million cubic metres.