Metsä Board upgrades Kemi winder to secure coated kraftliner quality

Fine-tuning the final step of paper manufacturing

As we move through July 2026, the global corrugated packaging sector continues to demand higher tolerances and flawless runnability from its raw material suppliers. Meeting these demands requires constant fine-tuning of massive industrial assets. Metsä Board has just confirmed its next step in this ongoing process: a targeted investment to modernize the board machine winder at its Kemi mill in Finland. Scheduled for implementation during the annual maintenance shutdown in October and November 2026, this upgrade highlights a critical, yet often underappreciated, phase of paper manufacturing—the finishing operations.

The strategic weight of the Kemi mill

The Kemi mill is not just another facility; it is a cornerstone of the European and global packaging supply chain. With an annual production capacity of approximately 465,000 tonnes, it stands as the world’s largest producer of coated white-top kraftliners. These premium grades are the visible face of countless consumer brands, used extensively as the top layer in high-quality corrugated packaging worldwide. When a mill of this scale touches its finishing equipment, the ripple effects are felt by converters and brand owners globally who rely on absolute consistency.

In the lifecycle of a paper roll, the winder is the final gatekeeper of quality. It is responsible for slitting the massive jumbo rolls coming off the board machine into narrower customer rolls, ensuring precise tension, perfect edges, and uniform density. For modern, high-speed corrugators, a poorly wound roll can cause web breaks, misalignment, and significant downtime. By upgrading this specific machinery, Metsä Board is directly addressing the operational stability of its downstream customers.

Shifting focus from volume to reliability

Tomi Seppä, VP of the Kemi Board Mill, articulated the strategic intent behind the move: “This winder modernisation strengthens our finishing operations and supports our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality products to our customers. At the same time, it improves operational stability and ensures dependable deliveries.”

This statement reflects a mature industrial strategy. Following the massive €110 million development program completed at Kemi in 2023—which bumped capacity up from 425,000 tonnes—the focus has naturally shifted from sheer volume expansion to optimizing yield and reliability. The timing of this modernization in late 2026 aligns with broader market dynamics. Following a solid financial performance in 2025, where Metsä Board reported sales of €1.8 billion, the company is reinvesting in its core assets to maintain its competitive moat.

• Targeted implementation: October–November 2026 maintenance shutdown.
• Core objective: Improve product quality, supply chain reliability, and production efficiency.
• Market position: Reinforcing Kemi's status as the top global supplier of coated white-top kraftliners.

Balancing the core business with future innovation

Beyond the immediate improvements at Kemi, this investment fits into a broader pattern of strategic capital allocation by Metsä Group. The company is actively balancing the optimization of its traditional, high-volume assets with forward-looking innovations. For instance, the group recently committed €25 million to a new Muoto 3D fibre packaging production line in Äänekoski, slated to begin operations in 2028. By securing the cash-generating core business—like the premium kraftliner output at Kemi—Metsä Board ensures it has the robust financial foundation necessary to fund next-generation packaging technologies.

Investing in finishing operations is a smart, pragmatic move that proves Metsä Board understands the daily realities of corrugated converters, where roll quality dictates profitability. Will other major kraftliner producers follow suit and shift their capital expenditure from capacity additions to finishing and runnability upgrades? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai