Stora Enso and HS Manufacturing Group Enter Collaboration to Develop Sustainable Barriers for Formed Fiber Products

Stora Enso has entered into a strategic collaboration with HS Manufacturing Group (“HSMG”), a producer of plant-based barrier coatings, to develop Stora Enso’s formed fiber offering. Stora Enso will leverage HSMG’s PROTEAN™ technology for food contact packaging applications. The technology offers a biodegradable and recyclable additive that gives fiber-based packaging water-, grease- and oil-resistant properties.

Stora Enso will apply the PROTEAN™ barrier technology to its renewable and recyclable PureFiberTM by Stora Enso product offering. The PureFiberTM technology from Stora Enso enables the manufacture of single-use products that are renewable, recyclable, biodegradable and plastic free. The PROTEAN™ technology barrier coating can be applied to produce a wide range of high-quality cellulose-based paper products, including single-use food service items.

“The technology partnership paves the way for meeting the needs of customers and consumers looking for more eco-friendly solutions. Through this collaboration we can design next-generation barrier properties which allow us to tap into new application areas for plastic-free products,” says Sohrab Kazemahvazi, Vice President, Head of Formed Fiber at Stora Enso.

“Stora Enso’s respected leadership as a renewable materials company and outstanding reputation in product design and innovation provide a perfect opportunity to broaden the introduction of PROTEAN™ as a sustainable alternative to legacy technologies,” says Samuel Mikail, Chairman of HSMG.

Earlier this year Stora Enso announced a EUR 5 million investment to build a new production line and related infrastructure to manufacture formed fiber products at Hylte Mill in Sweden. The formed fiber technology enables the manufacture of products that are designed for circularity, meaning that they are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable and do not contain any plastic. The products respond to the needs of eco-conscious consumers and producers looking for innovative alternatives to plastic. The first products will be available on the market at the beginning of 2020, targeting packaging for fast food restaurants.

About HS Manufacturing Group

HS Manufacturing Group provides PROTEAN™ brand plant-based barrier coatings and additive technologies that are recyclable, biodegradable, compostable and food-safe. These barrier coating solutions can be applied to produce a wide range of high-quality cellulose-based paper products that are oil, grease and water resistant. The technology has several applications for single-use food service items. To learn more, please visit www.hsmgrp.com.

About Stora Enso

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 26 000 employees in over 30 countries. Our sales in 2018 were EUR 10.5 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com.

Contact:

Ulrika Lilja – EVP, Communications – +46 72 221 9228

Source: Stora Enso Oyj