Stora Enso postpones decision on Langerbrugge conversion

In a press release, Rebekka Thielemann, VP Product and Sales Recycled Containerboard, said: “Our study on the opportunity to deliver more recycled packaging to the market proved positive. However, as the availability of recycled containerboard in Europe currently meets market needs, we decided to postpone the conversion decision, which will be taken in due time.”

 

She added that Stora Enso will remain “agile and responsive” to market trends, while remaining committed to provide products and services that the company’s clients expect in the foreseeable future.

 

In the course of its withdrawal from the printing and writing paper market and the decision to sell four of its then five graphic paper mills two years ago, the company announced that it was examining the possibility of converting one of its two paper machines at the Langerbrugge site to produce recycled corrugated case material. A feasibility study in this regard was subsequently initiated. The additional paper capacity, which was then estimated to stand at around 700,000 tpy, was intended to strengthen the company’s own production of packaging based on recycled paper.

 

However, the market for containerboard and corrugated board in Europe suffered a slump last year and currently has more containerboard capacity than it needs. This is also due to the fact that additional paper capacities have come onto the market in the past two years as a result of conversions and new machines, and more will follow.

 

The Langerbrugge mill produces newsprint and SC paper based on recovered paper on two paper machines. The two machines have a combined capacity of 540,000 tpy and also process around 540,000 tonnes of recovered paper annually. Langerbrugge is self-sufficient in steam and can produce around three quarters of its own electricity requirements.