Stora Enso expands in solid biofuels with 10m euro investment

Paper giant Stora Enso has continued to expand its presence in solid biofuels markets as it announces a 10m euro (8.6m) investment in pellet production at its Imavere sawmill in Estonia.

The company is aiming to become the leading integrated supplier of pellets in Northern Europe.

Hannu Kasurinen, EVP, Stora Enso wood products, said: "With this investment, we are targeting industrial and residential customers through our already established distribution and marketing channels."

The pellet plant project is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2010, and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Solid biofuels include solid renewable energy sources, and Stora Enso said the pellet production will be fully self-sufficient in raw material as it will use by-products from the sawmill.

Kasurinen added that the investment will further enhance the mill's long-term competitiveness.

Stora Enso is a global paper, packaging and wood products company that produces newsprint and book paper, magazine paper, fine paper, consumer board, industrial packaging and wood products.