Stora Enso Timber is to become a “European player in the pellet market” with the development of four production facilities.
Two plants are to become operational at Stora Enso’s sites in Impilahti and Nebolchi, Russia, as well as two more at the sawmills in Gruvön, Sweden and Zdirec in the Czech Republic.
The plants will initially focus on the production of white pellets produced from material flows at the attached sawmills, according to Stora Enso Timber production manager Pekka Hukkanen, with the Europe-wide spread of sites aiding logistics and production.
“With these investments, we are taking a major strategic step,” said Peter Kickinger, head of Stora Enso Timber. “We aim to strengthen our position in bio-energy and to become a European player in the pellet market.”
The Russian plants are due to become operational in the second and third quarters of 2008, with the Czech plant also on stream in the third quarter and the Swedish facility opening in early 2009.
