Stora Enso AB, Sweden, Finland, reports that it will divert 160,000 metric tpy of pulp capacity from NBSK (northern bleached softwood kraft) pulp to fluff pulp production.The EUR 27 million investment at the Skutskär pulp mill in Sweden targets growing demand from the hygiene, non-wovens, and personal care products markets.

"Both hygiene and non-woven products are a fast-growing market. This investment will enable us to support the growth of our customers and further develop this business together with them," said Juan Carlos Bueno, EVP, Stora Enso’s Biomaterials division.

Stora Enso’s Skutskär mill employs 330 people and produces 540,000 metric tpy of bleached softwood and hardwood paper and fluff pulp. The investment will be completed during the second quarter of 2018 and will increase fluff pulp capacity by 160,000 metric tpy to 415,000 metric tpy. The mill's softwood pulp capacity is to be reduced by 160,000 metric tpy beginning in 2018.