Our contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

We actively promote gender equality and inclusivity. Our commitment is reinforced by concrete targets and measures, guided by ethical principles and our overarching vision, “Metsä for All.”

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Promoting diversity: We systematically work towards gender equality and equality for all by fostering diversity and inclusion.
2. Leadership representation: We actively support women's access to management positions. Our ambitious target is to have more than 30% of our leaders be women by the end of 2030.
3. Anonymous recruitment: To enhance workplace diversity, we strive to make all open recruitments anonymous. In 2023, around 80 % of the recruitments were anonymous.

Water is an essential resource for the forest industry. Ensuring that water use in production is optimised and that wastewater is treated efficiently are both guiding principles of our water management.

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Enhancing process water efficiency: We continually strive to improve the efficiency of process water usage while minimizing emissions to water.  For example, we have established specific targets for each pulp mill, considering factors such as the mill’s age and unique characteristics. Our overarching goal is to reduce process water consumption per product tonne by 35% by 2030.
2. Optimising surface water usage: To conserve groundwater and save energy, we diligently utilise surface water and recycle it as efficiently as possible. For example, our closed process cycles enable efficienct recycling of cooling water. Additionally, we employ state-of-the-art technologies in wastewater treatment.
3. Global impact of our pulp: The pulp we produce plays a vital role both in Finland and worldwide. It serves as a raw material for various essential products, including tissue papers and hygiene products. By contributing to improve hygiene, our products can also help the spread of infections.

Metsä Fibre’s pulp and bioproduct mills are already in energy surplus, generating more energy than they consume. But there’s always room for improvement, meaning even higher energy efficiency. 

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Enhancing energy efficiency: We continuously strive to improve the energy efficiency of our production facilities and processes. Additionally, our objective is to further increase the share of bioenergy within our energy portfolio. Notably, in 2023, 97 per cent of the fuel used in Metsä Fibre’s production was fossil free.
2. Fossil fuel elimination: By  2030, our aim is to completely phase out the use of fossil fuels in our production. Recognising that emissions from our value chain (Scope 3) constitute the largest portion of our fossil greenhouse gas emissions, we actively encourage our major suppliers to establish their own emission reduction targets. Furthermore, we prioritise low-emission logistics solutions.
3. Renewable energy contribution: Our pulp mills play a crucial role  as renewable energy producers. In 2023, Metsä Fibre accounted for 7.6% of the electricity generated from renewable energy sources in Finland. Our pulp mills efficiently produce bioenergy from production side streams, surpassing their own needs. Moreover, this renewable energy serves not only our internal needs but also contributes to the electricity grid and provides district heating for local communities.

We uphold our commitment to fostering decent work practices and contributing to economic growth. 

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Guided by values: Our operations align with Metsä Group’s core values: reliability, cooperation, renewal, and responsible profitability. We adhere to legislation, the Metsä Group’s Code of Conduct, and company policies. Additionally, we champion internationally recognized human rights.
2. Safety first: Occupational safety is our top priority. We strive for zero accidents, emphasizing safety not only within our own operations but also among our suppliers and partners.
3. Economic impact: As a significant manufacturer of export products, a taxpayer and a direct and indirect employer, we play a vital role.
4. Investing in well-being: Our past investments in Finland, including the Rauma sawmill and Kemi bioproduct mill, contribute to societal well-being. These ventures will secure jobs for the future.
5. Sustainable wood sourcing: The majority of the wood we use comes from privately owned forests. This practice benefits both forest owners and entrepreneurs in the forestry, logging and transport sectors.

We are carrying out research and development projects to identify new purposes for different parts of the tree that offer higher added value and environmental benefits. Our partner network plays an important role in this. 

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Efficient use of resources: We maximise the utilisation of wood raw materials and production side streams. By 2030, our goal is to utilise 100 % of solid side streams from production while maintaining waste-free operations.
2. Continuous improvement: We consistently enhance the resource, environmental, and energy efficiency of our mills. Leveraging best available technology and investing in new technologies, Metsä Fibre achieved nearly 90% utilisation of production’s solid sidestreams in 2023.
3. Bioproduct mill concept: Our innovative bioproduct mill concept takes resource efficiency to extraordinary levels. Through partnerships within industrial ecosystems, we develop new bioproducts like biogas, new fibre-based materials and textile fibres in collaboration with other companies.
4. Research and innovation networks: We actively participate in various research and development networks, exploring new paths for bioproducts. This ecosystem fosters extensive value chains and synergy benefits, creating opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

We work to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. 

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Traceable wood: We meticulously track the wood we use. This ensures the legality of our wood supply operations and promotes sustainability throughout the supply chain. Our tracing system allows us to follow the origin of the purchased wood all the way back to the specific felling site. Not a single stick of wood raw material goes to waste. Additionally, we harness our production side streams for various bioproducts and bioenergy.
2. Bioproducts: Our production processes prioritise responsible practices. We create pulp, sawn timber and other bioproducts with care, minimising environmental impact.
3. Fossil material alternatives: The products we manufacture serve as eco-friendly alternatives to fossil materials:
4. Pulp: A versatile, recyclable and fossil-free raw material used in various products.
5. Sawn timber: Sawn timber bind carbon throughout its life cycle. Also, it contributes to the creation of long-lasting wood products.

One of our most important sustainability targets is to ensure that, by the end of 2030, our mills no longer use any fossil fuels nor purchase any fossil-based energy. This will mean our production will no longer generate any fossil-based carbon dioxide emissions.

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Fossil-free mills by 2030: Our Kemi and Äänekoski bioproduct mills have already fossil free production and our goal is to transition all our mills away from fossil fuels by 2030.
2. Fossil-free raw materials and packaging: We strive to ensure that every raw material and packages used in our products is fossil-free by 2030. Plastic is used only in  sawn timber wrappings, and we are seeking a more sustainable solution.
3. Promoting a low-carbon society: Through our product development, we actively contribute to a low-carbon society by creating alternatives to fossil-based materials.

At Metsä Group, we actively champion sustainable forest management and biodiversity. Our shared interest with our owner-members is to continually enhance the vitality and biodiversity of Finnish forests. 

Here is how we support this goal:

1. Regenerative forestry: Through Metsä Group’s regenerative forestry initiative and the Metsä Group Plus service, we contribute to the well-being of forests and their ecosystems.
2. Forest Certification: We utilise forest certification as a powerful tool to showcase our commitment to sustainable forest management.
3. Traceable Wood: The wood we use is meticulously traced back to sustainably managed, certified, or controlled forests. Our chain of custody certification ensures that the origin, legality, and sustainability of wood are upheld throughout the supply chain.
4. Digital Monitoring: We employ digital maps to closely monitor the origin of wood, ensuring transparency and accountability.
5. Certified wood usage: An impressive 95% of the wood we utilise is certified, and we are committed to responsible practices throughout the value chain.