Metsä Board has announced it is introducing an ‘improved’ version of MetsäBoard Classic FBB.
The solution is already utilised for fast moving goods, such as food and healthcare packaging. Thanks to an approximately EUR 60 million modernisation of the Simpele folding boxboard mill in Finland, it is now tipped to deliver further improved print quality that extends the end use area of the grade to more demanding print jobs.
“By combining curtain coating and blade coating, the newest version of MetsäBoard Classic FBB delivers more visual uniformity and brighter and more vivid images, which we believe is going to help our customers’ products truly stand out on store and pharmacy shelves,” explained Maarten Florizoone, VP, growth, folding boxboard. “It’s kicking off a new era in folding boxboard.”
Energy consumed at Simpele mill to produce MetsäBoard Classic FBB has already been 89% fossil-free, with the firm saying that number is estimated to reach 98% by the end of 2025.
“The board is a big part of our customers’ products, so if we don’t push ourselves forward in our fossil CO2 targets, our customers will have a hard time decreasing their Scope 3 CO2 emissions and meeting their sustainability targets,” Florizoone added. “I think this will set the tone for future developments both in and outside of the company. Somebody needs to lead the pack and this product will do that.”
Work is underway at the mill site. Once detailed engineering is completed, the technology installation will take place during a scheduled maintenance shutdown in September 2025. The product will be available to customers in October this year.
