Stora Enso is growing its portfolio of premium packaging materials with the launch of Ensovelvet, a new uncoated solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board with velvet-like smoothness on both sides. It has been developed for luxury applications such as cosmetics, perfumes, and other premium consumer goods.

Designed to meet demand for natural and renewable solutions in luxury packaging, Ensovelvet offers a combination of a natural uncoated surface, excellent stiffness, and reliable folding performance. This bright, premium SBS board provides an enhanced sensory experience while ensuring excellent printability. It is especially well-suited for cosmetics packaging, perfumes, and other high-end applications where touch and appearance are equally important.

Ensovelvet complements Stora Enso’s flagship Ensocoat board, together forming a complete SBS carton range for brand owners and converters seeking versatility across coated and uncoated applications. Both boards are recyclable, supporting the shift toward circular packaging solutions. The absence of coating in Ensovelvet also means fewer materials are needed in production, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint while maintaining the premium performance expected from premium packaging materials.

The launch responds to brand owners who prefer premium boards that combine luxury appeal with sustainability. Ensovelvet provides distinction by enabling high-end cosmetic packaging that resonates with preferences for minimalism and natural textures.

Tomas Larsson, head of product line FBB, SBS, Liner, and Book Paper, says, “Luxury packaging is about more than protection. It’s about creating an impression. Ensovelvet gives brand owners a material with a distinctive, natural surface that helps their products stand out in a crowded marketplace. By adding it alongside Ensocoat, we now offer a complete SBS range that meets today’s design trends and tomorrow’s performance demands.”

Performa Nova

Earlier this year, Stora Enso announced the expansion of its core packaging material offering with the launch of Performa Nova, a next-generation folding boxboard (FBB) that combines high yield with exceptional performance. The new board is designed to meet the growing demand for renewable, recyclable, and efficient packaging solutions in segments such as dry, frozen, and chilled food, chocolate, and confectionery.

Performa Nova is produced using FiberLight Tec, Stora Enso’s tested proprietary technology that enables the creation of strong yet lightweight board. The result is higher material efficiency, which allows for more packages to be produced with less raw material – without sacrificing packaging strength or visual appearance.

“At the core of Performa Nova is a breakthrough in how we approach strength and sustainability. By leveraging our FiberLight Tec technology, we’ve been able to develop a product that supports brand owners’ and converters’ efficiency goals while maintaining the high standards required for protecting packaged products,” says Tuomas Puonti, vice president of product development at Stora Enso Packaging Materials.

The board offers excellent stiffness, box compression strength, and a smooth surface for high-quality printing, making it well-suited for demanding end uses. It has been engineered for food safety and can be combined with barrier coatings for enhanced protection. Performa Nova is available in grammages from 200 to 315 g/m², supporting a wide range of packaging applications.

Performa Nova joins Stora Enso’s vast portfolio of cartonboard products. With its launch, Stora Enso continues to drive innovation in renewable materials, offering customers flexible supply and helping to shift toward renewable, circular packaging solutions.