Stora Enso finalises permanent closure of Veitsiluoto sawmill in Finland
Stora Enso has completed negotiations to permanently close its Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi, Finland, ending temporary curtailment in place since early August 2026. Sawmill production for the Northern Finland region will be centralised at the company's other sawmills in Oulu, Oulainen and Kalajoki, with about 60 job losses. Stora Enso cited weak profitability driven by high log costs; after the change, roughly 840 people will remain at Business Unit Oulu's sawmills, board mill and port operations.
Why this mattersThe closure tightens Stora Enso's Northern Finland wood-processing footprint but is described as having only a minor impact on wood supply to its Oulu board mill.
- Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi, Finland, permanently closed following negotiations concluded 16 September 2026
- Approximately 60 people made redundant
- Production had been temporarily curtailed since early August 2026
- Closure first announced 12 August 2026 as a plan to centralise Northern Finland sawmill production
- After the change, Business Unit Oulu will employ approximately 840 people across board mill, sawmills in Oulu, Oulainen and Kalajoki, and port operations
- Reason cited is need to improve efficiency, profitability and competitiveness amid high log costs