Using rail whenever possible in North America
Environmental requirements incorporated into NETSS
Subcontractor’s traffic accident in Finland
Environmental award granted in Sweden
A new concept for internal transport system in Sweden
Reducing emissions from Base Port

Using rail whenever possible in North America

In North America, approximately 90% of raw materials destined for mills are transported by rail and 10% are transported by truck. The breakdown for outbound shipments overall is 60% by rail and 40% by truck – although rail shipments from mills producing magazine paper grades can account for over 90% of all consignments.

In a customer project conducted in 2002, Stora Enso North America calculated the emissions generated from various transportation modes connecting its mills to the customer’s pressrooms. A repeat of this analysis in 2004 showed that even though the average distance travelled per tonne increased, emissions per tonne remained stable due to the increased use of rail.

Another measure to keep emissions low is a freight cost sharing agreement with select customers. Customers can be rewarded for selecting pressrooms closer to paper manufacturing sites, for ordering quantities that fill railcars, and for providing sufficient lead time on orders to allow rail to be used.

Environmental requirements incorporated into NETSS

In January 2004, Stora Enso approved the implementation of the new North European Transportation Supply System (NETSS). The aim is to adopt the environmental standards presently applied on the Gothenburg-Zeebrugge line throughout the new transport system. Related measures include the use of low sulphur fuel, catalytic cleansing (SCR) of exhaust gases, and the fulfilment of specific environmental and health requirements. NETSS is expected to be in operation in July 2005.

Subcontractor’s traffic accident in Finland

A tragic traffic accident occurred on 19 March 2004 when a tandem trailer containing paper reels from a Stora Enso mill collided with a bus. The trailer collided with the bus while both vehicles were at full speed, leading to the loss of 23 lives. Since the accident the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications has improved standards of road maintenance during the winter, and also lowered speed limits in difficult weather conditions.

Environmental award granted in Sweden

Stora Enso was awarded with the Swedish Maritime Forum’s Environmental Diploma for 2004. The Maritime Forum commended Stora Enso for developing a new transport system with environmentally sound solutions in all parts of their operations. The Group was also praised for requiring suppliers to use the best available technology in all phases of the logistics chain. The Maritime Forum anticipates that Stora Enso’s new transport system NETSS will result in significant reductions in emissions to air when in full operation in 2007.

A new concept for internal transport system in Sweden

A new concept formulated by Stora Enso and transport supplier Schenker to improve the internal transport between Forshaga, Vänerhamn in Karlstad and Skoghall was put into practice in October 2004. Approximately 760 000 tonnes of goods are annually transported between these three locations. The new system fits production needs, and the vehicles’ capacity can be utilised more efficiently since they carry 20% more product than the old trucks. The five new vehicles have the latest engine technology and will use the best fuel available to minimise the impact of emissions to the environment. All drivers will also be trained in heavy eco-driving techniques, which will be monitored using data from the computerised logs in the vehicles. Alcohol ignition lock systems also boost safety.

Reducing emissions from Base Port

In December 2004, Stora Enso Transport and Distribution signed another five-year contract (2005-2009) with the Swedish rail company Green Cargo to continue Base Port rail transportation from Kvarnsveden, Grycksbo, Fors, Skoghall and Hylte mills to the port of Gothenburg.

In 2004, Stora Enso started a pilot project with Green Cargo and Swedish rail infrastructure provider Banverket to measure and reduce electricity consumption within the Base Port network. Stora Enso has also initiated a feasibility study regarding the electrification of Base Port’s non-electrified lines, which currently account for less than 5% of the network.