Metsä Board has announced the conclusion of change negotiations initiated in January 2025, resulting in the permanent closure of its Tako board mill in Tampere, Finland, by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance profitability and cost competitiveness, which will also involve improving operational efficiency at the Kyro board mill in Kyröskoski.
The closure will lead to a reduction of 208 jobs, with Metsä Board pledging support for affected employees through reemployment training and job placement assistance. CEO Mika Joukio emphasized the constructive nature of discussions with personnel and reiterated the company's commitment to minimizing the impact on employees.
Despite the shutdown, customer deliveries will remain unaffected, as Metsä Board's annual folding boxboard production capacity—estimated at 1.4 million tonnes—will meet current demand. The closure is expected to improve annual comparable EBITDA by approximately €30 million starting in the second half of 2025. However, it will incur a one-off profit impact of €-28 million due to asset impairments, recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
The Tako mill's closure reflects prolonged financial struggles, driven by high energy costs, underutilized production lines, and limited development opportunities due to its central location in Tampere. This move aligns with Metsä Board's broader goals of strengthening financial performance while maintaining sustainable operations.
Metsä Board remains committed to sustainability and innovation in the production of lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards, and white kraftliners. The company uses renewable and recyclable fresh wood fibers sourced from Northern European forests, with a goal to achieve fossil-free mills and raw materials by 2030.
Metsä Board, a subsidiary of Metsä Group, recorded EUR 1.9 billion in sales in 2024 and employs approximately 2,300 people.
