Metsä Group narrows Q2 loss as pulp plant shutdowns continue

Metsä Group reported a second‑quarter operating loss of €15.7 million, a reduction of €30 million from the same period a year earlier, on revenue of €1.383 billion, down €43.1 million. Net loss widened to €62.3 million as several pulp mills – Äänekoski, Rauma, Husum and the Joutseno plant – remained shut, affecting the quarter’s performance. CEO Jussi Vanhanen said the loss reduction reflects a stronger competitive position and difficulties faced by rivals, while noting that the pulp price index does not fully capture market realities.

In the same quarter, Metsä Board, the group's cardboard division, turned a profit of €3 million, its first positive result in more than a year, after a €37 million loss the previous year. CEO Esa Kaikkonen attributed the turnaround to volume growth, cost‑saving measures and a modest recovery in demand, despite weak market conditions in Europe and China and higher oil‑related logistics costs linked to the Iran‑US conflict.