The bio-materials company’s recently created fibre unit will join with the remaining packaging solutions businesses to form a new-and-improved packaging solutions division. Changes will take effect as of 1 January 2020.

Hannu Kasurinen has been appointed executive vice-president, head of consumer board and a member of the group leadership team with immediate effect. As of 1 January 2020, he will become executive vice-president, head of packaging materials.

Gilles van Nieuwenhuyzen, current executive vice-president, packaging solutions, will leave his position tomorrow (6 December) to pursue new career opportunities outside the company.

David Ekberg, current senior vice-president and head of business unit corrugated Nordics, will become acting head of packaging solutions tomorrow, while the search for a permanent divisional head is underway.

Stora Enso president and chief executive Annica Bresky said: “As the development towards a circular bio-economy is accelerating in society, we are creating an organisation that further strengthens our ability to drive innovation and sustainability with a common agenda.

“The packaging materials division will provide an even stronger customer offering for converters, brand owners and retailers containing both virgin and recycled board material.

“For [the] packaging solutions [division], we are increasing our focus on growing new services and packaging solutions as well as innovation collaborations throughout the value chain for developing new renewable packaging.

“We will also be able to focus more on renewable packaging design.”

Based on the new structure, 2018 sales for the packaging materials division were approximately €3.4bn (£2.9bn), and for packaging solutions, €700m (£591m). Restated figures for the new structure will be published in Q1 2020.

Separately, Stora Enso has appointed Jari Suominen as executive vice-president, head of forest division, effective 1 January 2020. He will continue as a member of the group leadership team.

The decision to create a forest division was only finalised in September; Stora Enso will begin reporting it separately from the beginning of next year.

Suominen has led the company’s wood products division since 2014. Current head of strategy and business controlling in wood products, Seppo Toikka, will become acting head of wood products as of 1 January, while a permanent replacement is sought.