Metsä Board achieves Platinum level sustainability rating from EcoVadis again

*Second quarter net earnings (loss) attributable to International Paper of $432 million ($1.09 per diluted share), compared with $349 million ($0.88 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2021 and $266 million ($0.67 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2020 *Second quarter cash provided by operations of $766 million and year-to-date of $1.3 billion compared with $1.5 billion year-to-date in the same period of 2020 *Ilim equity earnings of $101 million, bringing year-to-date to $150 million *Share repurchases of $57 million, bringing year-to-date to $186 million *Debt reduction of $796 million, bringing year-to-date to $904 million *Monetized remaining investment in Graphic Packaging for approximately $400 million

Metsä Board, part of Metsä Group, has been recognised for leadership in corporate sustainability by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its prestigious ‘A List’ for tackling climate change as well as acting to protect water security and forests – all three environmental themes covered by CDP. Metsä Board is one of only 14 companies that achieved a triple ‘A’, out of nearly 12,000 companies that were scored based on data submitted through CDP’s questionnaires in 2021. Metsä Board’s mission is to create packaging solutions that respect nature. The fresh fibre raw materials that come from sustainably managed Northern European forests, resource efficient production and the low carbon footprint of lightweight paperboards provide a solid foundation for responsible operations. “Sustainability is a prerequisite of a profitable business. It is also important for our customers and other stakeholders that the cooperation with Metsä Board is built on a responsible foundation. We have ambitious sustainability targets including 100% fossil free mills and raw materials by the end of 2030. These ‘A List’ positions are a recognition of our systematic work to achieve these goals," says Mika Joukio, CEO of Metsä Board.

The world’s largest machine for the production of kraftliner has entered service in Obbola in Västerbotten, outside Umeå, eastern Sweden. With a total investment of SEK 7.5 billion, this major project has been completed ahead of schedule and within budget, significantly increasing opportunities to produce packaging materials that replace plastic. “At full capacity, the machine will increase capacity from 450,000 tonnes to 725,000 tonnes a year, enabling our renewable kraftliner to replace large amounts of plastic and improve the [Obbola] plant’s competitiveness on the global market,” says Gustaf Nygren, SCA Obbola Plant Director. The Expansion Obbola investment project has a total budget of SEK 7.5 billion, of which approximately SEK 1 billion has been earmarked for environmental improvements at the site. For example, a biofuel-fired mesa furnace has been installed at the plant with the potential to phase out the use of fossil fuels and save 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.