Verified carbon footprints across our cartonboard portfolio
Every product in our cartonboard portfolio comes with a product carbon footprint that has been calculated according to our third-party verified LCA methodology. This independent verification ensures transparency and credibility for our customers, allowing you to use our data with confidence in your own sustainability reporting and packaging assessments.The methodology verification covers our entire packaging materials offering, including products from our Cartonboard, Food Service and Liquid Packaging, and Containerboard Business Areas. It follows internationally recognized standards, meaning you can compare and trust the figures behind our climate performance claims.
Climate progress at our Cartonboard Business Area production sites
Behind the verified numbers are years of targeted improvements in our production sites. Three of our sites — Fors, Anjalankoski, and Oulu — illustrate different stages of our progress and ambition.
Fors: Proven fossil CO₂-free production
Our board production site in Fors, Sweden is a landmark in Stora Enso’s climate journey. It is our first Scope 1 and 2 fossil CO₂ emission-free board mill, a milestone achieved through determined, climate-smart choices.
At Fors, fossil fuels have been fully replaced by renewable energy sources, proving that large-scale industrial production can be both competitive and fossil-free. The carbon footprint of Fors’ products has remained exceptionally low for years, leaving little room for further reduction within the mill’s operations.
Future progress will mainly depend on supplier emissions (Scope 3), or the carbon embedded in purchased materials and chemicals. One recent example from earlier this spring is Fors’ shift toward a lower-CO₂ calcium carbonate material, which can further reduce the product footprint even from an already low starting point.
Fors stands as proof that fossil CO₂-free operations are achievable today, not just a distant goal.
Anjalankoski: Continuous efficiency and low-carbon performance
At our site in Anjalankoski, Finland, progress has been steady and long-term. The site has consistently improved its energy efficiency and reduced emissions through equipment modernization, electrification, and renewable energy use .
As a result, the product carbon footprints from Anjalankoski are now at very low levels. Like Fors, Anjalankoski is close to its operational limits in terms of reduction potential. The next improvements will come through supplier engagement and raw material innovations.
All fossil CO2 Scope 1 and 2 emissions and CO2 equivalents derived from biofuels included. The closure of PM3 in 2023 is reflected in the emissions reductions.
Oulu: Ramping up a new generation of materials
Our Oulu site in Finland represents the latest example of our climate progress. The site is currently ramping up production of lightweight, high-yield packaging materials, which means more product from the same amount of raw materials — a direct efficiency and carbon benefit.
While Oulu’s operations are still reaching full capacity, early results are promising. We expect Oulu’s products to demonstrate excellent CO₂ footprints, thanks to efficient design, high yield, and advanced environmental performance.
Together, Fors, Anjalankoski, and Oulu illustrate the breadth of our approach: maintaining low carbon footprints where we already perform strongly, and driving innovation and efficiency where new opportunities arise.
Group-level commitments and results
Our packaging Business Areas’ progress sits within the context of Stora Enso’s group-wide climate commitments.
At group level, we have pledged to:
- Reduce absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline), validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
- Reach Net Zero by 2040 through The Climate Pledge.
- Become climate positive by 2050.
So far, we’ve reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 53% and Scope 3 by 39%, already exceeding our 2030 Scope 1 and 2 target ahead of schedule.
What this means for our customers
For packaging converters, brand owners, and retailers, this progress means access to verified, significantly reduced-carbon materials.
Because our operations are already highly efficient and largely fossil-free, the carbon footprints of our products start from a strong position. That gives our customers a measurable advantage in reducing the total footprint of packaging systems, as well as transparent, verified data to support your own climate reporting.
We know that sustainability is now measured in numbers, not slogans. That’s why we’re investing in verification, transparency, and continued collaboration with suppliers and customers to drive improvements across the value chain.
Looking forward: Collaboration is key
Our goal isn’t only to maintain low emissions, but to keep improving where it matters most: together with our partners.
Fors has shown that fossil CO₂-free production is possible. Anjalankoski continues to prove the value of consistent efficiency improvements. And Oulu represents the next step toward even higher material yield and climate performance.
While we’ve reached low levels of carbon emissions in our own operations, we know that the next chapter in our climate story will be written through supplier innovation and shared commitment. Together, we can keep moving the entire packaging value chain toward a more transparent and low-carbon future.
