Metsa Tissue, part of Metsa group, has invested in a new tissue paper machine in its Mariestad mill in Sweden, as part of the recently announced tissue mill expansion and modernisation project. The investment implements the company’s Future Mill programme, aiming for world class environmental and operational performance in tissue production.

Valmet Corporation in Karlstad, Sweden has been commissioned to deliver a new tissue paper machine to Metsä Tissue’s Mariestad mill. Metsä Tissue received an environmental permit to its mill expansion late 2022 and announced the related investment decision last week. The total production capacity of the new  machine will be 70,000 tons per annum, increasing the mill’s production capacity to a total of 145,000 tons. The energy consumption of paper production will be reduced by 30 per cent with the new paper machine. This will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions in accordance with Metsä Tissue’s sustainability goals. Metsä Tissue is committed to making its mills fossil-free by 2030, the company said in a media statement.

In total, Metsä Tissue is investing in total €370 million in the expansion and modernisation of its Mariestad tissue paper mill, and the new tissue paper machine is a part of this extensive project. The expansion and modernisation of the mill is focused on sustainable fresh fibre production, meaning that the total percentage of fresh fibre-based products manufactured at the mill will be 80 per cent when the expansion is completed in the second half of 2025. The production with the new paper machine is estimated to begin during the second half of the year 2025. The parties have agreed not to publish the value of the investment.

Metsä Tissue’s Mariestad mill produces tissue paper products sold under the brands Serla, Lambi and Katrin and customers’ private label products. After the expansion the mill will have three tissue paper machines.

“With the new tissue paper machine, we are increasing the supply of locally produced sustainable fresh fibre based tissue papers to the Scandinavian markets and by that enabling reliable local supplies of high quality tissues to consumers. The new paper machine technology brings great environmental benefits. We are able to diminish our water consumed in the paper manufacturing process by 50 percent as well as the energy saving reductions,” Esa Paavolainen, vice president, projects, Metsä Tissue, said.

“We are honoured to have been trusted to supply a complete tissue paper line with the latest technology. Our long collaboration is an excellent basis for successful project implementation,” Jari Vähäpesola, president paper business line, Valmet, said.