Stora Enso Eesti AS is one of the fifteen partners in the Woodworking Industry Development Cluster and is a subsidiary of Stora Enso, one of the largest wood industry groups in the world. Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions, and paper on global markets. Their aim is to replace fossil-based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. Stora Enso Eesti AS operates two Estonian timber production units – Imavere and Näpi. Stora Enso Eesti AS is also engaged in logging and wood procurement.

The Imavere production unit was established in 1995, when the Imavere sawmill was built. The production has expanded over the years – today, in addition to the sawmill, there are also a component mill (built in 1999), a beam mill (built in 2005), and a pellet mill (built in 2011) on approximately 26 ha of land. The mills in Imavere have a total of 320 employees, who work in shifts. On average, the log yard on the premises stores approximately 25,000 m3 of timber, ensuring a smooth supply and production chain. Currently, Stora Enso Eesti AS is focusing on post-processing, meaning that the wood that arrives to Imavere production unit is used for making as many value-added products as possible, from sawn timber, finger-jointed components, and laminated beams to environmentally friendly premium pellets.

Stora Enso’s commitment to renewability is not only about the raw material. It is also linked to resource traceability and responsibility, production and material efficiency, logistics and supply chain, and the core of sustainability agenda. From the forest or plantation to the end product, Stora Enso works responsibly and with respect to local rules and regulations.

In 2017, the Imavere production unit used 660,000 m3 of logs to produce 330,000 m3 of sawn timber. The products are made from pine and spruce wood and the logs that enter the premises are almost completely used up with minimal waste in the production of various products.

The products of Stora Enso Wood provide wood-based innovations and solutions for everyday living and housing needs. Its product range covers all areas of urban construction, from supporting structures to interior design and environmental construction. The further-processed products include massive wood elements and housing modules, wood components, and pellets. A variety of sawn timber goods completes the selection.

Aerial view of Stora Enso Eesti AS Imavere’s log yard

The software used at Imavere component mill to determine the location of exposed knots to be cut out

Production proccess of Stora Enso Imavere

Today the Imavere wood industry manufactures 4 main types of wood products

Traditional kiln dried pine & spruce sawn timber for building, packaging and joinery industry

Products are completed in a log sawline. Stora Enso utilizes the most modern log X-ray and automatic grading technology to select the best raw material for each end use, reducing handling costs and raw material waste. Sawn timber are made for various purposes thus providing standard grades and dimensions for joinery purposes and construction end-uses. Main products: sizes from 16 x 75 to 100 x 250; lengths from 2.7 – 6.0 m.

Pine & spruce finger-jointed and/or laminated components for window and door industry

Thanks to the uniform quality and dimensional stability industrial components by Stora Enso are well-suited for various end use possibilities as they offer a wide range of mass-customized window components and door components. The components for the joinery industry are manufactured in two Imavere’s component lines and half of the completed production is exported around the world.   

Traditional Japanese glue-laminated pine & spruce beams

The traditional Japanese glue-laminated pine & spruce beams are produced according to JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards) certification. Stora Enso offers a variety of lengths and heights to meet the needs and demands of the end users. The products are being manufactured in the Imavere’s beam mill and the construction range has specifically been designed for the Japanese housing market. Due to high stability, optimal strength values and planed surface, their beams are easy to build and work with.

Environmentally friendly pellets

Environmentally friendly „Premium“ quality 6 or 8mm pellets, with ash content less then 0,5% and with energy value approx 4.85 kWh/kg. Pellets are a good example of utilizing the raw materials more efficiently. Imavere manufactures pellets from sawmill by-products (only wood shavings, dry chips and sawdust are used for the production of the pellets) so they can offer a natural, sustainable and renewable heating that is environmentally sound. In addition, the pellet production is integrated directly after the sawing line and therefore reducing unnecessary transportation.

Stora Enso’s commitment to renewability is not only about the raw material. It is also linked to resource traceability and responsibility, production and material efficiency, logistics and supply chain, and the core of sustainability agenda.  From the forest or plantation to the end product, Stora Enso works responsibly and with respect to local rules and regulations. They continue their push for carbon neutrality as well as their focus on human rights and on-the-ground investments in communities where they operate.  Everything Stora Enso does aims to meet the needs of their customers and to be the best choice in renewable solutions.