Metsä Tissue, part of Metsä Group, has begun full-scale production at its modernised tissue mill in Mariestad, Sweden, marking a major industrial milestone for the Scandinavian market.
Backed by a €370 million investment, the site now doubles its annual capacity to 145,000 tonnes, significantly strengthening regional supply for essential hygiene products, including the Lambi, Serla and Katrin brands.
The expansion transforms the mill’s role in the Nordic tissue sector. With a new paper machine and three converting lines, Mariestad shifts from a key production site to a strategic supply anchor—reducing dependence on imports, cutting delivery distances and improving stock reliability even in times of global logistics disruptions.
Automation meets workforce growth
Beyond scaling output, the upgraded facility also changes how tissue is produced. A fully automated high-bay warehouse now manages storage, while laser-guided transfer vehicles move finished goods through the plant with precision. These systems streamline logistics and enhance delivery reliability across Scandinavian markets.
Yet automation does not diminish the human presence on site. Nearly 100 new employees have joined the workforce, reinforcing Metsä Tissue’s long-term commitment to the region and ensuring the expertise needed to support a more efficient, high-capacity operation.
Fresh fibre at the core
Quality remains central to the investment. The renewed mill increases the share of fresh-fibre-based production across Metsä Tissue’s Swedish operations to 80 percent. Known for its purity and strength, fresh wood fibre is an optimal raw material for hygiene papers. The new paper machine further improves energy performance and significantly reduces water use, lowering the mill’s environmental footprint per tonne produced.
CEO Sari Pajari-Sederholm describes the project as a convergence of world-class technology and in-depth industrial know-how. Strengthening local manufacturing, she notes, is essential to securing access to everyday hygiene products under all market conditions.
With its modern infrastructure, expanded workforce and sustainable raw-material strategy, the Mariestad mill is now positioned as one of the most advanced and reliable tissue production hubs in Scandinavia.
Metsä Tissue is a leading European producer of hygiene papers and greaseproof papers for both consumer and professional use. Its well-known brands, including Lambi, Serla and Katrin, are manufactured locally across several European countries. The company uses fresh and recycled fibres depending on the mill, and operates with a focus on sustainable production and resource efficiency.
Source: Metsä
