Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, and Ahlstrom-Munksjö continue the collaboration by focusing on responsible wood sourcing. Ahlstrom-Munksjö, as a significant wood pulp consumer, and Metsä Fibre, as the world’s leading producer of bleached softwood pulp, have a particular responsibility to advance environmental performance and sustainability throughout their operations and supply chains.
“We are committed to contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by reducing negative impact across the value chain. The collaboration with both the suppliers and customers is very important in developing and implementing our sustainability strategy, and thereby achieving these goals,” says Heli Nykänen, Manager, Group Sustainability and Capital Investments.
The project that started in 2019 has mainly focused on responsible wood sourcing in the value chain from the forest to the end-products. As part of the partnership, the companies organized a supplier visit in Finnish Lapland for 3M and Nestlé which are among Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s key customers. The in-depth visit was led by Earthworm Foundation who is 3M and Nestle’s Policy implementation partner. The visit covered the Metsä Group’s wood procurement practices in the Lapland area as well as its impact on indigenous people. During the visit, the participants had an opportunity to discuss local forestry practices with all relevant stakeholders.
“Responsible forest management and wood procurement practices are essential to our operations. We are proud of our strong traditions in Finnish forest management as well as our actions in promoting responsible forestry practices,” says Vesa Junnikkala, Director Sustainability, from Metsä Group Wood Supply and Forest Services.
“At Metsä Fibre, we want to create value for our customers and their business. We have ambitious 2030 sustainability targets, and we see that proactive sustainability collaboration with customers and other stakeholders is beneficial for the whole value chain. Sustainability and responsibility are an integral part of everything we do, and last year our strong commitment in sustainability was recognised in the international EFQM quality competition, where we won the Outstanding Achievement for Sustainability Award and reached the EFQM rating Recognised for Excellence 6 Stars,” states Ari Harmaala, SVP Sales and Customership, Metsä Fibre. “Both Ahlstrom-Munksjö and we are highly committed to driving responsibility not just in our own operations but also within the industry.”