Stora Enso provides economic benefits through developing better products, better value and new solutions for customers. By creating partnership initiatives, Stora Enso and its suppliers can both effectively leverage their economic resources. As a global company Stora Enso is in a unique position to take advantage of the R&D resources available in all leading forest industry countries. New research projects are directly linked to Stora Enso’s business strategy, and will be evaluated on the basis of the business value they create.

Research and development is carried out at a number of different levels within Stora Enso. Stora Enso has Research Centres in Finland, Sweden, Germany and the United States, as well as through strong technical organisations at business units. The Group also co-operates at various levels with local and global R&D providers.

Most of these research partners are universities or other educational and scientific institutes. Selected suppliers may also be involved in such projects.

In 2004, Stora Enso invested EUR 82.2 million, or 0.7% of total sales, in research and development (EUR 88.8 million in 2003). Research and development spending decreased by 7% compared to 2003.