Wood sourcing

Most of the wood we use, 92% in 2024, originates from certified forest sources. We also require that any non-certified wood we use is of sustainable origin to ensure that it always meets at least the criteria for PEFC Controlled Sources and FSC Controlled Wood.

All parties involved in the processing of wood and pulp in Metsä Board’s value chain comply with the requirements of the PEFC or FSC® chain of custody, which means that all the wood fibre we use is traceable.

Compliance with PEFC and FSC chain of custody aims to ensure that the wood we use is not harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights nor from forests with high conservation value. Chain of custody standards also prohibit the use of genetically modified trees. Metsä Board’s chain of custody system is evaluated annually as part of Metsä Group’s internal and third-party external audits. These audits monitor the operations of the wood suppliers and harvesting contractors as well as the traceability of the wood fibre within our own processes. Our licence codes are PEFC/02-31-92 and FSC®-C001580.

Metsä Board fulfils the obligations of the European Union Timber Regulation (EU 995/2010), the UK Timber Regulation and the US Lacey Act, all of which prohibit the marketing of illegally harvested timber and timber products. During 2024, Metsä Group has updated its due diligence system to meet the requirements of the EU’s Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).

Wood from Northern Europe and self-sufficiency in pulp

Our wood supply is managed by Metsä Group's wood supply and forest services. The pulp used for paperboard production is manufactured in Metsä Board’s own BCTMP (bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp) and pulp mills or in the pulp mills of our associated company Metsä Fibre. Self-sufficiency in pulp and full control of the chemicals used in our production secures the supply of fibre and guarantees consistent high quality and an unbroken product safety chain.

The majority of our wood raw material comes from Finland and Sweden. We use only spruce, pine, birch and aspen, which occur naturally in these countries. Our wood sourcing from Russia was discontinued in March 2022.