Paperboard producers with the lowest carbon footprint – based on FisherSolve® Carbon Benchmarking

Metsä Board uses the FisherSolve® benchmarking tool to objectively compare the carbon footprints of different paperboard producers. According to the data, Metsä Board ranks among Europe’s top three performers in GHG emissions when compared to other major producers of cartonboard (including folding boxboard, solid bleached board and white-lined chipboard) or white linerboard (including white and white-top kraftliners, and white-top testliners).

FisherSolve® Pulp and Paper Commodity Intelligence Platform provides detailed information on all pulp and paper mills in the world. The Carbon Benchmarking Module provides estimated emissions for every pulp and paper mill worldwide, and allows for the comparison of GHG emissions between mills, pinpointing the primary sources of GHG emissions.

Which cartonboard producers have the lowest carbon footprint in Europe?

Metsä Board ranks among the top three cartonboard producers in Europe for low GHG emissions, according to the FisherSolve® Carbon Benchmark. The benchmark includes the major European producers of folding boxboard (FBB), solid bleached board (SBB) and white-lined chipboard (WLC). FBB and SBB are made of fresh fibres and WLC is recycled-based. 

Based on the data, Nordic companies benefit from access to renewable and fossil-free energy, whereas Central European producers rely more heavily on fossil fuels for both on-site production and grid-purchased electricity. Fresh fibre-based grades are typically produced in Nordic countries, close to the wood raw material. 

Based on the data, Metsä Board’s total emissions including transportation to Central Europe per tonne are 34% lower than the group average. Further reductions at the packaging level are achieved through lightweighting.

Carbon footprints of European cartonboard producers – FBB, SBB and WLC

Total Carbon Emission per Tonne*, delivered to Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Source: FisherSolve Carbon Benchmark, Q3/2025

* Measured as CO2eq/FMT
CO2eq = Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, FMT = Finished Metric Ton

 

Which white linerboard producers have the lowest carbon footprint in Europe?

Metsä Board ranks among the top three white linerboard producers in Europe for low GHG emissions, according to the FisherSolve® Carbon Benchmark. The benchmark includes the major European producers of fresh fibre-based white-top kraftliner, white kraftliner, and the recycled-based white-top testliner.

Based on the data, Nordic producers benefit from abundant renewable and fossil-free energy sources, whereas manufacturers in Central Europe depend more on fossil-based options for both on-site production and grid-purchased electricity. Fresh fibre-based grades are typically produced in the Nordic countries, close to the wood raw material.

Based on the data, Metsä Board’s total emissions including transportation to Central Europe per tonne are 45% lower than the group average.

Carbon footprints of European white linerboard producers – white kraftliners and white-top testliners

Total Carbon Emission per Tonne*, delivered to Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Source: FisherSolve Carbon Benchmark, Q3/2025

* Measured as CO2eq/FMT
CO2eq = Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, FMT = Finished Metric Ton

 

Main factors affecting paperboard’s carbon footprint: energy source and weight

When calculating the carbon footprint of paperboard, both the type of energy used (fossil-based vs. fossil-free) and the weight of the board play an important role. FisherSolve’s benchmark is calculated per produced tonne.

At the packaging level, the lightweight nature of Metsä Board’s fresh fibre paperboards provides an additional reduction in carbon footprint - on top of the benchmark results.