Stora Enso to create Packaging Materials division to develop renewable packaging

05-Dec-2019 - Last updated on 05-Dec-2019 at 09:55 GMT

Stora Enso to create Packaging Materials division. Photo: Stora Enso

Stora Enso is merging its container board business in the Packaging Solutions division with the Consumer Board division to create a Packaging Materials division, effective January 2020.

The remaining business in Packaging Solutions, together with Stora Enso’s formed fibre unit, will lead to ‘a more focused Packaging Solutions division’.

Q1 2020

Based on the revised changes, 2018 sales for the Packaging Materials division were approximately €3,4bn ($3.77bn) and for Packaging Solutions €700m ($776m). The restated figures for the new divisional structure will be published in Q1, 2020.

Annica Bresky, president/CEO, Stora Enso, said the decision to reform the business divisions is based on a circular bioeconomy.

“The Packaging Materials division will provide an even stronger customer offering for converters, brand owners and retailers containing both virgin and recycled board material,” she said.

“For Packaging Solutions, we are increasing our focus on growing new services and packaging as well as collaborations throughout the value chain for developing renewable packaging. One example is our formed fibre business, which will be included in the Packaging Solutions division.

“We will also be able to focus more on renewable packaging design.”

As a result of the changes, Hannu Kasurinen will become EVP, head of consumer board and EVP, head of packaging materials, and Gilles van Nieuwenhuyzen will leave his position as EVP Packaging Solutions on December 6, to pursue new career opportunities outside the company.

Divisional head

“I am looking forward to continuing to build our Packaging Materials business together with our customers. Circularity is an integral part of Stora Enso’s business and a key driver for our product development,” said Kasurinen.

The search for a divisional head for Packaging Solutions will begin and David Ekberg, currently SVP and head of Business Unit Corrugated Nordics, will become acting head of Packaging Solutions.

“Hannu Kasurinen has a long and diverse experience of working in leadership positions in Stora Enso, previously including also a position in the Group Leadership Team,” added Bresky.

“I am very happy to appoint him to our Group Leadership Team again. I am confident his experience will be a valuable asset to the team, when we continue on our transformation journey as the renewable materials company.

“I thank Gilles van Nieuwenhuyzen for his valuable contributions in developing our packaging business during his years with Stora Enso.”