In 1964, a project was launched that changed the history of Äänekoski and all of Metsä Board: in the newly relocated board mill, the board machine KK1 was started for the first time on 14 January 1966. This marked the start of a journey that continues to this day.
Board machine KK1 was not merely an investment for Metsä’s Äänekoski mill. It was a bold step into a new era, reflects Mill VP Timo Tallinen. “It elevated Äänekoski into one of Finland’s most significant board‑producing locations.”
Over the years, the board machine KK1 has been renewed many times, but its basic idea has remained the same: to produce high‑quality folding boxboard from renewable raw materials for the global market.
“Although more than 60 years have passed since the machine first started, its importance has not diminished. Investments, development work, continuous learning, and readiness for change ensure that the Äänekoski board mill remains competitive and a forerunner in sustainable development also in the future,” says Timo Tallinen.
The good reputation of the Äänekoski board mill is widely known
Metsä Board’s CEO, Esa Kaikkonen, also wishes to congratulate the Äänekoski board mill on behalf of the entire company.
“Äänekoski has a long and proud history in board making, dating back to the late 1800s. Over the past 60 years, the current board mill has further strengthened Äänekoski’s position as one of the pioneers of Finnish board making, and the mill’s strong reputation is widely recognized around the world,” Kaikkonen says.
One indication of Äänekoski’s strong reputation is the large number of customer visits the mill receives every year, Kaikkonen notes. In 2025, more than 20 customer visits were made to the Äänekoski board mill, along with many other stakeholder visits.
“Every mill visit is our business card to the world. Let’s continue to uphold the excellent reputation of Metsä Board’s mills together and maintain our outstanding customer work going forward. Congratulations once again, Äänekoski!”
Link to photos: Photos of the Äänekoski paperboard mill from 1966.