We are the leading producer of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp (NBSK). Our softwood pulp consists of high-quality Nordic pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea abies), sustainably sourced and felled by Metsä Forest. Softwood pulp produced from Nordic coniferous trees has good fibrous characteristics and tensile and tear strengths, which ensures Metsä quality. The wood we use is traceable and comes from certified Nordic forests.
Softwood pulp properties for paper, packaging and tissue
Softwood is a type of wood from coniferous trees such as typically pine, spruce, cedar and fir grown in Northern Hemisphere. The distinct properties of softwood is its long fibers enabling tensile strength and durability in paper manufacturing. The use of softwood pulp is particularly important in packaging industry for cardboard production due to its strength competency. Also it is a favorable option in tissue production regarding the its absorbency asset.
Metsä Fibre produces high-quality softwood pulp at its bioproduct mills in Äänekoski and Kemi in Finland, at its pulp mills in Joutseno and Rauma in Finland, and at Metsä Board’s pulp mill in Husum, Sweden. Most of our pulp sales are softwood pulp and we are the leading producer of the market softwood pulp in the world. Our NBSK is commonly used in the production of paper, paperboard and tissue products. The long fibres of softwood pulp give strength to the end product, as well as runnability and excellent dewatering properties in the production process.
Our softwood pulp product portfolio
Metsä NBSK is used to make our Metsä Pine and Metsä Strong products. Both are made from pine and spruce softwood, despite that Metsä Strong has higher fibre length content than that of Metsä Pine, providing more tearing strength to the Metsä Strong reinforcement pulp. We develop our products in close cooperation with our customers and use the pine wood properties at its most by using our technical knowledge and professional expertise. In this way, we ensure excellent end product qualities that meet our customers’ requirements for specific pulp characteristics and paper properties.
