#Finland #Helsinki #Stora Enso #Wood Products #Sawmills

Stora Enso Initiates a Strategic Review

Stora Enso Oyj, a leading player in sustainable wood and packaging solutions, has announced that it will undertake a strategic review of its Central European sawmill operations and building solutions, with plans to conduct this review throughout 2026. The evaluation will primarily focus on one of its Wood Products business units, which encompasses seven sawmills located in Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Lithuania, alongside three cross-laminated timber (CLT) processing facilities and a range of wood procurement and international sales operations.

The timber sector has historically positioned itself as a vital component of Stora Enso's business model; however, the company has recognized that these particular operations, while strong in a promising market, do not align with its strategic priorities concerning renewable packaging materials. The shifting landscape of the building materials industry emphasizes sustainability and innovation, motivating Stora Enso to reassess its core operations.

During this review, various scenarios will be proposed for the current business and its assets. This could potentially lead to the divestment of certain segments to sharpen Stora Enso's commitment to renewable products. It's noteworthy that the review does not include the synergetic sawmills located in Northern Europe, particularly in Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia, which remain strategically significant for the company's growth and operational objectives moving forward.

Stora Enso currently holds the title of Europe’s largest producer of sawn wood and is recognized globally for providing advanced sustainable building solutions, including innovative CLT elements utilized in global construction projects. The seven sawmills under review boast a production capacity estimated at around 3 million cubic meters and play a pivotal role, contributing to approximately 50% of the Wood Products segment's overall sales.

Over the years, Stora Enso has made considerable advancements in developing eco-efficient building solutions, thus supporting the global demand for low-carbon construction practices. The strategic review is set to uncover new opportunities for optimizing the operational efficiencies associated with these sawmills, aligning the company closer to emerging trends within the construction industry.

The company anticipates providing further updates regarding this strategic review in 2026 while reassuring stakeholders that operations will continue as usual. Stora Enso remains committed to delivering high-quality, competitive products and services to its customer base throughout this assessment phase.

Moreover, any potential changes arising from these deliberations will comply with collective bargaining agreements and statutory processes within all nations touched by this review.

In a related communication, Stora Enso has scheduled a webcast on November 14, 2025, at 13:30 EET, aimed at investors, analysts, and media representatives to discuss the implications of this strategic review. Interested parties can access the correspondence at the company website.

Stora Enso's narrative hinges on its philosophy that everything currently made from fossil-dependent materials can one day be sourced from sustainable timber resources, reinforcing its vision as a frontrunner in renewable packaging, biomaterials, and wooden construction products.

In the fiscal year 2024, the organization employed approximately 19,000 individuals and reported annual Group sales totaling EUR 9 billion. The company's shares are publicly traded on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy and Nasdaq Stockholm AB, alongside OTC market trades in the USA.

As the company aligns its operations towards a greener future, it continues to advocate for carbon-neutral construction practices while maintaining its essence tied to forests and renewable resources.