Metsä Board and HEIDELBERG have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at improving packaging production from material selection through to final conversion, with a focus on efficiency, performance and sustainability across the packaging value chain.
The partnership combines Metsä Board’s lightweight fresh fibre paperboards with HEIDELBERG’s offset, flexographic, digital printing and converting technologies to support the development of packaging solutions for evolving market and regulatory requirements. The companies said the collaboration will include joint research and development projects, pilot production runs and customer demonstrations at their respective innovation centres.
For packaging customers, the initiative is expected to create new opportunities to improve productivity and streamline production workflows while responding to growing demands for packaging efficiency, print performance and sustainability. The companies said the partnership is intended to accelerate innovation by combining materials expertise with advanced production technology.
Metsä Board said the collaboration will help expand possibilities in packaging design and production efficiency while supporting its sustainability objectives and premium paperboard positioning. HEIDELBERG, meanwhile, said the cooperation strengthens its role as a system integrator supporting high-performance packaging applications.
The companies are also positioning the initiative as a response to a rapidly changing packaging market, where recyclability, regulatory pressures and performance expectations continue to reshape packaging development. By linking recyclable fresh fibre-based paperboards with advanced printing and converting processes, the two firms aim to support customers in developing more adaptable and future-ready packaging solutions.
Metsä Board produces folding boxboards, foodservice boards and white kraftliners made from fresh wood fibres sourced from Northern European forests. The company reported sales of EUR 1.8 billion in 2025 and employs approximately 1,900 people. It is part of Metsä Group.
Metsä Board is a producer of lightweight folding boxboards, foodservice boards and white kraftliners made from fresh wood fibres sourced from Northern European forests. The company is part of Metsä Group and reported sales of EUR 1.8 billion in 2025.
