Metsä Tissue appoints Michael Lanschützer to lead its greaseproof papers division

Strategic leadership shift in specialty papers

Metsä Tissue has secured a significant addition to its executive roster with the appointment of Michael Lanschützer as Senior Vice President of its Greaseproof Papers division, effective October 5, 2026. Reporting directly to CEO Sari Pajari-Sederholm, Lanschützer steps into a segment that remains a critical growth engine and a high-margin stronghold for the Finnish cooperative’s tissue and specialty paper operations.

The recruitment signals a clear intent to aggressively position Metsä’s greaseproof portfolio in a highly technical and competitive European market. Lanschützer transitions from Mondi Group, where he most recently served as Managing Director for Mondi Jülich. His tenure at the German specialty papers converting plant—a facility deeply embedded in the release liner and packaging sectors—provides him with a granular understanding of both the operational complexities of paper manufacturing and the commercial demands of specialty converting.

Bridging the gap between base paper and converting

This leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for Metsä Tissue. Following the interim leadership of Katrin Bunner since April 2026, Lanschützer will take the helm of a division that produces essential substrates for food preparation and packaging, including the globally recognized SAGA brand. In 2025, Metsä Tissue reported solid sales of EUR 1.1 billion, contributing significantly to the wider Metsä Group’s EUR 5.8 billion revenue. While the greaseproof segment is smaller by volume compared to the consumer tissue business, it commands higher margins and requires rigorous technical compliance.

From an industry perspective, the greaseproof and release liner markets in 2026 are navigating a complex transition. Converters and brand owners are actively seeking high-barrier, fluorine-free (PFAS-free) paper alternatives to legacy plastics in food packaging. Lanschützer’s background at Mondi Jülich equips him with the exact cross-functional expertise needed to address these demands. Release liners require exceptional surface holdout for silicone coatings, a technical profile closely related to the high-density, mechanically refined fiber structures needed for premium greaseproof baking and cooking papers.

Leveraging an integrated supply chain

Metsä’s strategy relies heavily on its integrated supply chain, backed by the 90,000 Finnish forest owners of the Metsäliitto Cooperative. This guarantees a stable supply of northern fresh forest fibers, which are essential for achieving the high tensile strength and purity required in food-contact materials. By bringing in an executive with deep roots in specialty converting, Metsä is likely looking to enhance its value proposition beyond just supplying base paper, moving closer to the specific barrier and performance needs of global packaging converters.

The European specialty paper landscape is currently characterized by tight capacity management and a relentless push for operational efficiency. Lanschützer’s dual experience in general management and commercial leadership will be tested as he works to expand Metsä's market share against other major European players in the specialty barrier segment.

Lanschützer’s transition from Mondi to Metsä highlights the premium placed on specialized converting knowledge in today’s barrier paper market, a move that should sharpen Metsä’s competitive edge in high-margin food packaging. Will this leadership shift accelerate Metsä’s development of next-generation, fully integrated barrier solutions for the converting sector? 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