Metsä Board's Lightweight Paperboard Can Cut Carbon Emissions by up to 60%

Metsä Board Oyj has concluded that its lightweight paperboard products can decrease the carbon footprint of packaging by as much as 60% compared to conventional grades. Independent assessments indicate substantial emission reductions for packaging in the healthcare, beautycare, and food sectors.

The company highlights that these reductions are significant for brands aiming to lower their Scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions from a company's value chain. Metsä Board commissioned the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute to verify the findings, providing objective third-party validation.

For instance, switching to Metsä Board's folding boxboard for teabag packaging could reduce the carbon footprint by over 60% compared to standard white-lined chipboard (WLC) grades available in Europe. Fragrance packaging saw a potential reduction of more than 50% in the assessments.

Anne Uusitalo, Director of Product Safety and Sustainability at Metsä Board, stated that material optimization does not compromise packaging performance or quality. The company aims to provide brand owners with transparent information to facilitate informed, low-carbon packaging choices.

The reduced carbon footprint is attributed to two main factors: the use of fossil-free energy in production and the lighter weight of the material. Metsä Board reports that 89% of its energy consumption was fossil-free in 2024. Lightweighting also reduces transportation emissions and waste throughout the supply chain.