By Erin Judge, managing editor, PostPress

Metsä Board, headquartered in Finland with US offices in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a leading producer of premium fresh fiber paperboards and a pioneer in lightweighting. Its product range encompasses folding boxboards, food service boards (including specialty barrier materials) and white kraftliners. Made from fully traceable fresh wood fibers, Metsä Board’s paperboards are lightweight and recyclable – designed for both consumer and retail packaging applications.

With increased consumer and regulatory focus on sustainability, 92% of the wood Metsä Board sources comes from certified forests (2024) – with the remainder of wood meeting the requirements of controlled wood origin. The company pioneered “lightweighting” – a manufacturing approach that optimizes paperboard to use less fiber per unit area. This process produces a lighter board – using fewer raw materials, energy and water – without sacrificing strength or board stiffness. Additionally, a large share of the production process is fueled by fossil-free energy (89% in 2024). For brands and converters seeking to reduce their environmental impact, this often translates to a package with a smaller carbon footprint than one made with a comparable board grade.

Benefits of Lightweight Boards

1. Resource Efficiency
2. Fewer resources (water, energy, fiber) are used during production.
3. A lower carbon footprint and less waste are generated when the package reaches end-of-life.
4. Lower Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fees
5. Since EPR fees for packaging are calculated by volume, lightweight paperboard directly translates to lower fees.
6. Since Metsä Board products are sustainably produced, packaging created with them may qualify for EPR fee reductions.
7. Performance Optimization
8. Lighter boards maintain strength and stiffness throughout the logistics chain.

By exclusively using its own pulp in paperboard production, Metsä Board ensures consistent quality, superior brightness and smooth surfaces – providing an ideal foundation for packaging that incorporates specialty coatings and embellishments. This consistency is particularly important for customers in the healthcare and packaged food industries, where packaging serves as an extension of the brand, and higher-quality materials can influence consumer purchase decisions. 

For more information, visit www.metsagroup.com.