Metsä Board has announced plans to open a new packaging design studio in Milan, Italy, scheduled to begin operations in mid-2026. The facility will serve as a collaborative hub for European brand owners, converters, and packaging developers working with the Finnish packaging materials company. According to the company, the Milan packaging design studio will feature advanced tools including AI-based design and simulation systems to enhance development processes.
The new studio is positioned to support customers in addressing sustainability objectives, regulatory updates, and specific performance criteria through integrated packaging solutions. Metsä Board indicated that the facility will consolidate packaging design, product development, and technical expertise in a single location. This arrangement aims to streamline collaborative workshops and joint development sessions with industry partners.
Strategic Location in European Design Capital
Milan’s selection as the location for this packaging design studio reflects the city’s status as one of Europe’s premier design capitals. The company said the studio will enable closer collaboration with European customers and facilitate rapid testing and iteration of packaging concepts. This geographical positioning is expected to help Metsä Board respond more effectively to the evolving needs of the European packaging market.
Additionally, the Milan facility will complement Metsä Board’s existing infrastructure, which includes the Excellence Centre in Äänekoski, Finland, dedicated to material research and packaging testing. The company also operates a packaging design studio in Norwalk, Connecticut, which serves North American clients with similar collaborative services.
Advanced Technology Integration
The Milan studio will be equipped with the latest technological capabilities to support efficient packaging development. According to Metsä Board, AI-based design and simulation systems will play a central role in accelerating the development process. These tools are designed to help improve the efficiency of sprints and development sessions while ensuring solutions meet current regulatory and sustainability standards.
However, the integration of materials expertise, customer insights, and manufacturing considerations under one roof represents the primary value proposition of the new facility. The company indicated this approach will enable more comprehensive consideration of all factors affecting packaging performance and sustainability.
Industry Collaboration and Customer Access
Once operational, the packaging design studio will be accessible to customers, partners, and other industry participants for collaborative development work. Erja Hyrsky, senior vice president of commercial operations at Metsä Board, emphasized the facility’s role in strengthening customer relationships. According to Hyrsky, the studio provides an ideal setting to connect with customers, test ideas, and develop solutions aligned with the rapidly changing packaging landscape.
Meanwhile, the new facility reflects Metsä Board’s broader strategy to expand its customer support capabilities across key markets. The company specializes in producing lightweight folding boxboards, foodservice boards, and white kraftliners for various packaging applications.
Company Background and Scale
In 2025, Metsä Board reported sales of €1.8 billion (approximately $2.1 billion) with a workforce of around 1,900 employees. The company operates as part of Metsä Group, which is owned by approximately 90,000 Finnish forest owners through Metsäliitto Cooperative. The parent organization reported total sales of €5.8 billion in 2025, demonstrating significant scale across its operations.
In contrast to purely commercial enterprises, Metsä Board’s ownership structure through a forest owners’ cooperative influences its long-term sustainability approach and stakeholder relationships.
The Milan packaging design studio is expected to begin welcoming customers and partners in mid-2026, though specific details regarding the exact opening date and initial capacity have not been confirmed by the company.
