Stora Enso Reports 27% Profit Jump Amid Strategic Portfolio Overhaul

The company’s quarterly sales remained flat at EUR 2.42 billion, hampered by lower market prices and currency fluctuations. Despite these headwinds, the firm improved its adjusted EBIT margin to 6.6%, up from 5.2% during the same period last year. CEO Hans Sohlström credited the performance to disciplined cost management and a focus on high-growth segments, specifically within consumer packaging.

Stora Enso continues its transition toward a more specialized business model, recently divesting its German corrugated board units and planning a EUR 19 million investment to expand fluff pulp production at its Skutskär site in Sweden. These moves coincide with ongoing preparations to spin off its Swedish forest assets, Bergslagets Skogar, into a separate publicly-listed entity by mid-2027. While operational results showed resilience, the company expects a challenging third quarter, citing a EUR 40-50 million impact from scheduled maintenance shutdowns and the continued geopolitical uncertainty affecting global supply chains.