Food packaging

Packaging is one of the most consequential decisions a food brand has to make. From complex supply chains to changing storage conditions, food packaging has to protect the product, keep it safe and fresh, withstand converting and packing, and still deliver strong shelf appeal.

Food brands, converters, and retailers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their packaging-related climate impact, improve recyclability, reduce unnecessary material and plastic use, and prepare for new and evolving regulatory requirements.

Metsä Board’s lightweight paperboards, made from pure Nordic fresh wood fibre, are built to meet these needs. They are designed to be safe for food contact, efficient use of materials and recyclable where suitable recycling systems exist. They combine strength and consistent quality with the compliance, technical support and supply reliability that food brands require.

Metsä Board’s paperboards are ideal for food packaging applications:

Dry foods such as cereals, pasta, rice, and tea
Frozen and chilled foods such as pizza, ready meals, fish, and seafood
Chocolate and confectionery
Biscuits and bakery products
Dairy products such as yoghurt multipacks, ice cream, and cheese
Fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables
Pet foods and treats

Why choose Metsä Board for food packaging?

1. Food packaging designed for safety and protection

Metsä Board’s paperboards are made from pure Nordic fresh wood fibre and supported by comprehensive food contact compliance. All Metsä Board’s mills operate under recognised product safety and hygiene management systems, including ISO 22000 and/or FSSC 22000. Detailed Product Safety Statements provide the information customers need to assess materials efficiently and can help reduce the need for additional testing.

Product safety is non-negotiable

Our paperboard for food packaging has been manufactured under the same hygiene standards as the food itself.

2. Fresh fibre paperboards can reduce packaging-related climate impact

Food companies are under increasing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging. Metsä Board’s lightweight paperboards offer high stiffness at lower grammages, helping reduce material use while maintaining packaging strength and shelf appeal. Metsä Board’s production runs on 93% fossil-free energy, and third-party-verified case studies show that switching to Metsä Board’s paperboards reduced the carbon footprint of the analysed food packaging solutions by up to 60% compared with conventional boards.

3. Helping you meet evolving food packaging regulations (PPWR, EPR, and EUDR)

New and changing regulations linked to PPWR, EPR and EUDR are making packaging choices more complex and more important than ever for food brands. Metsä Board’s fresh fibre paperboards are designed to be recyclable in paper recycling streams where suitable systems exist, and their high strength-to-weight ratio can help reduce material use and, in selected applications, reduce the need for certain plastic or multi-material solutions.

Customers are supported with comprehensive documentation and guidance for regulatory compliance, including technical statements, product specifications, recycling and compostability certificates, and life cycle assessment data.

4. Reliable supply for the demands of the food industry

Material availability is critical for food brands, converters, and retailers working with tight production schedules and fluctuating demand. Metsä Board’s high access to fresh wood fibre, along with its Nordic production network and European sheeting hub, helps ensure steady lead times and consistent product availability. Metsä Board also supports customers with risk-mitigated supply options designed to minimise disruptions and maintain continuity across converting, packing and retail supply chains.