​What kind of packaging solutions do urban consumers want, and how is urbanisation affecting the demand for paperboard? 

​How is online retail transforming the requirements of today’s consumer packaging?

​Finnish craft distillery The Helsinki Distilling Company combines a true respect for raw materials with an uncompromising attention to detail. Their White Dog new-make spirit and its packaging both communicate a brand aesthetic where the raw and uncut meets a luxurious finish.

Metsä Board's high-quality paperboards and expert services help you create the most powerful brand communication and brand experiences – from the package itself to various retail solutions.

​Kyrö Distillery Company’s Napue Gin has swiftly become a Nordic award-winning sensation. We take a look at how their market-shaping brand is supported by careful supplier selection.

​We take a look at the biggest trends affecting food packaging today, from premium branded coffees to multi-pack snacks.

​In many industries today, eliminating dependence upon fossil-fuel-based materials is a firm aim, but this is more challenging in some applications than others. Take the paper cup, for example. How could you possibly order a café latte on the move without a plastic lid to keep the hot liquid safely inside until you reach your destination?

​With two highly creative designs, Metsä Board earned a double recognition at this year’s iF Design Awards. T2 Mini Fruit Tea packaging won an iF Design certificate for ‘Beverages’ and the company’s own innovative Elevated drink box won another iF Design certificate for ‘Independent Packaging’.

​Metsä Board has the same food safety certificates as the food industry. That’s just one example of how Metsä Board secures the product safety of its products.

​With the trend of convenient and fast on-the-go eating growing globally, the demand for food service paperboards is on the rise. In addition to our home markets in Europe, we at Metsä Board have identified the Americas, as well as the global food service market, as our focus areas for future growth.

In 2016 Metsä Board carried out a study on mineral oil migration into food from packaging and got some convincing data on its paperboards product safety.  

​In Metsä Board’s view, digital printing is challenging the whole packaging value chain, from design to box manufacturing.

​Bag-in-box packages are gaining more and more foothold in some of the largest wine drinking countries in North America and Europe. The market intelligence publisher Euromonitor is forecasting an increase of 4 % p.a. for the global bag-in-box retail packaging market by 2020.

​A supportive hand from Metsä Board has helped to keep Polish litholaminator TFP Grafika on the growth track.

Nina Happonen, VP of sales at Metsä Board Americas, answered three questions on the US market.

​The latest and greatest packaging innovations are within reach.

​To get a wide perspective on printing and converting, we turned to Bobst. Bobst is the leading supplier of equipment and services to packaging and label manufacturers in the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible materials industries.

​​Metsä Board's associated company Metsä Fibre is currently building the world's first next-generation bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland. With a value of EUR 1.2 billion, this represents the Finnish forestry industry's largest ever investment.

​1 billion products sold daily. That’s why we asked Nestlé what makes for high performance in paperboard.

Views are changing on what is considered luxury. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues, and many want their purchases to reflect these values. Accordingly, modern luxury brands are looking for ways to make their goods desirable for both customers and the planet. And according to a recent consumer survey, that’s also good for the business.

​How is online retail transforming the requirements of today’s consumer packaging?

​When Hershey was looking for a more sustainable, lightweight and efficient solution for their Cookies & Chocolate secondary package, Metsä Board’s design team was keen to take on the challenge. 

​Superb customer service and a superior product are gaining Metsä Board a strong foothold in the US market. Customers in the US embrace better, lighter and faster solutions.

​The global e-commerce market is growing at double digit growth rates. Increasing e-commerce offers numerous opportunities for packaging suppliers, but also challenges, as online shopping places new requirements on packaging.

​What kind of packaging solutions do urban consumers want, and how is urbanisation affecting the demand for paperboard? 

​In Metsä Board’s Better with Less – Design Challenge, innovative solutions for frequently used consumer packages were gathered from entrants around the world. A key focus area in the competition was in creating better experiences for consumers while reducing the environmental impact of the packaging in general.

​Demographic shifts - with more urban, single, carless, digitally enabled yet time-starved or physically restricted consumers - are driving the demand for faster and more convenient shopping and consumption.

Sustainability is a major trend, and is now considered a ‘must-have’ in packaging business. Several studies demonstrate that consumers prefer sustainable packaging and are willing to pay extra for it. But what actually makes a packaging sustainable?

​According to Business Insider, an American financial and business news website, the last-mile delivery costs account for 53% of the overall transportation costs. At the same time, customers increasingly demand faster deliveries. Naturally, this is a topic of interest for future innovation.

​The 'Innovation issue' of the Metsä Board Magazine is all about innovating for a sustainable future, showcasing innovative uses of fibre based materials and processes that optimise packaging design from start to end.