FINLAND - Stora Enso is partnering with the Finnish pension insurance company Varma in the construction of a new head office in the center of Helsinki, Finland.

Stora Enso will lease part of the building, which will showcase world-class modern wooden architecture. The building is expected to be completed in 2023, as the company says in its press release.

Varma will organize an architecture competition for the design of the building and apply for a LEED Platinum environmental certification for it, as the project aims for the highest levels of sustainability. Built with renewable wooden materials from Stora Enso, it will store carbon during its lifecycle. Wooden spaces are known to contribute to better indoor air quality, increased productivity, less stress, and less sickness.

“Wood is the only construction material suitable for large-scale construction that is both fully recyclable, renewable and reusable. By using wood, we can help cut carbon emissions by up to 75%. I am very excited to put our know-how and experience in wooden construction into use and contribute to creating a new landmark building in Helsinki,” says Jari Suominen, Head of Stora Enso’s Wood Products division.

Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. With sales of EUR 10.5 billion in 2018 Stora Enso has some 26 000 employees in over 30 countries.