Finnish packaging manufacturer Metsä Board Corporation (HEL: METSB), operator of the Simpele paperboard mill, announced on Friday that it has completed a EUR60m modernisation project that brings an upgraded board machine into full operation.

The renewed MetsäBoard Classic FBB folding boxboard is now available for customer deliveries. Metsä Board says the upgrade raises the product's performance for demanding consumer packaging applications.

The investment included a full rebuild of the coating section, expansion of the coating colour kitchen, and installation of a new pallet packaging line. The introduction of modern curtain coating technology is expected to enhance print quality and visual uniformity, delivering sharper, more vibrant print results.

Esa Kaikkonen, Chief Executive Officer at Metsä Board, described the investment as a strategic advantage for brands facing stricter sustainability and safety standards alongside mounting pressure to improve cost efficiency and waste reduction.

Energy sourced from non-fossil fuels at the Simpele mill is set to rise from 89% to 98% following the upgrade, supporting Metsä Board's stated aim of fossil-free mills by 2030.