Foundation stone of the Metsä Wood’s birch plywood mill laid in Pärnu, Estonia

Metsä Group Press release August 23 2017

The foundation stone of Metsä Wood’s new birch plywood mill was laid today in Pärnu, Estonia. The greetings in the ceremony were delivered by the Minister of Public Administration of Estonia Mr. Jaak Aab and the President and CEO of Metsä Group Mr. Kari Jordan.

“This is an important investment for Metsä Wood and the whole Metsä Group. It is done to better meet the globally growing plywood demand and to further improve Metsä Wood’s industrial efficiency. The new mill is a good example of Finnish-Estonian cooperation. Estonia has favourable business climate and it offers good logistical connections to our main markets.” said CEO of Metsä Group Kari Jordan in today’s ceremony. 

The annual birch plywood production capacity at the Pärnu mill will be 50 000 cubic metres and the total investment is approximately 55 million euros. The birch veneers will be produced in Äänekoski Finland and plywood will then be manufactured at the Pärnu mill. The new birch plywood mill will create approximately 200 jobs to Pärnu area.

“I am very satisfied that Estonia remains an attractive investment destination, especially when it comes to new and advanced industrial production. The birch plywood factory in Pärnu is a good example of our large investor support scheme. The new mill will raise Estonia’s industrial competitiveness, supports the labour market around Pärnu and drives our exports,” said Minister Jaak Aab.

The new mill will start production by end of year 2018. The construction agreement signed between Metsä Wood and Nordecon AS includes the construction of the production hall of 29 000 square metres and the non-work rooms and office premises.

The construction of the birch plywood mill in Pärnu is part of the EUR 100 million investment programme Metsä Wood published in June 2016. The program is carried out during 2017-2018.


Images: http://databank.metsagroup.com/l/g2p2pW_62xNj


For more information, please contact:
Esa Kaikkonen, Executive Vice President, Metsä Group, tel. +358 50 598 8746, esa.kaikkonen@metsagroup.com
Henni Rousu, Communications Manager, Metsä Wood, tel. +358 40 554 8388, henni.rousu@metsagroup.com


Metsä Group

www.metsagroup.com

Metsä Group is a forerunner in sustainable bio-economy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsä Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.

Metsä Group’s sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion in 2016, and it employs approximately 9,300 people. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and is owned by approximately 104,000 Finnish forest owners.


Metsä Wood

www.metsawood.com

Metsä Wood provides competitive and environmentally friendly wood products for construction, industrial customers and distributor partners. We manufacture products from northern wood, a sustainable raw material of premium quality. Our sales in 2016 were EUR 0.5 billion, and we employ about 1,500 people. Metsä Wood is part of Metsä Group.