History

1888

Founding of the mill in Frohnleiten, Austria

The foundation of the mill in Frohnleiten, Austria as a pulp mill and millboard production mill at the end of the 19th century laid the foundation for the company’s later market leadership. For more than 100 years, MM Board & Paper has been proving how innovative a traditional company can be.

1903

Commissioning of Austria’s first circular screening machine in Hirschwang

Circular screens, like long screens, serve the sheet formation of the cartonboard. The individual boards are couched with a press. This technique allows for the production of products consisting of very different layers on one machine.

1950

Start of industrial production of recycled cartonboard

MM Board & Paper laid the foundation for its current technological lead in the recycled cartonboard industry way back in the middle of the 20th century. The first modern cartonboard machine is built at the parent mill in Frohnleiten, Austria, to industrially produce cartonboard from recovered paper.

1974

Acquisition of the Hirschwang Mill, Austria

The Hirschwang Mill becomes the second Austrian location of MM Board & Paper.

In 2020 Hirschwang Mill was closed.

1984

Acquisition of the Neuss and Baiersbronn Mills, Germany

MM Board & Paper takes its first step toward internationalisation and diversification by acquiring the German cartonboard mills in Neuss and Baiersbronn: Neuss now produces recycled cartonboard and liner (cover layer on corrugated board), and Baiersbronn produces virgin fibre cartonboard.

Baiersbronn Mill was sold in 2021.

1990

Acquisition of the Eerbeek Mill, Netherlands

With the acquisition of the Eerbeek Mill in the paper-making centre of the Netherlands, MM Board & Paper expands its production capacity for virgin fibre cartonboard.

Eerbeek Mill was sold in 2021.

1991

ISEGA Certification

MM Board & Paper produces the first recycled cartonboard for direct food contact in Europe. This is confirmed by the ISEGA Certification.

1998

Acquisition of the Kolicevo Mill, Slovenia

By taking over the Slovenian Kolicevo Mill, MM Board & Paper strengthens its position in the South-East European markets.

2000

New standards in customer communication and order processing

The efficient and direct connection with our customers has always been a major concern. With the “3C System” (Customer, Carton, Communication), MM Board & Paper implements state-of-the-art communications technology for day-to-day business transactions.

2001

Acquisition of the Gernsbach Mill, Germany

The purchase of the Gruber+Weber Karton mill in Gernsbach, Germany, plays an important part in serving customers in the centre of Europe, who benefit from the excellent service efficiency and quality.

2003

Expansion of the MMBP sales organisation to Eastern Europe and Asia

With the establishment and expansion of sales activities to Asia and Eastern Europe, MM Board & Paper pursues a global sales strategy, which is adapted to the different markets according to customer needs.

2006

Start of the MM-Academy

In order to further promote the knowledge, skills, and talents of employees, the MM-Academy is inaugurated as a central institution for group-wide training and continuing education. The training focuses on technical know-how, as well as the development of social and leadership skills.

2009

MM Board & Paper becomes the largest supplier of FSC^® or PEFC certified cartonboard in Europe

The renewable resource wood used for our cartonboard and liner comes from sustainable forestry. Since 2009, all of the mills of MM Board & Paper have been FSC^® und PEFC certified. This establishes a high degree of transparency in our use of fibres and underscores the pioneering role of MM Board & Paper with regard to sustainable market standards.

2012

Flexible production thanks to the swing machine

The conversion of the cartonboard machine KM3 to swing production allows the Kolicevo Mill to adapt flexibly to market requirements. Depending on demand, the mill produces more virgin fibre cartonboard, recycled cartonboard, or liner.

2013

Acquisition of the pulp mill FollaCell AS, Norway

The acquisition of the pulp mill MM Karton FollaCell AS, Norway, is an important contribution toward sustainable supply reliability with high-quality mechanical pulp (CTMP and BCTMP) and consistent quality assurance of the MMBP cartonboard grades.

2016/2017

Challenges of mineral oil migration mastered

FOODBOARD™ is a safe food cartonboard with a functional barrier that protects packaged foods from defined unintended substances like mineral oils. FOODBOARD™ is available as recycled cartonboard (GT1, GT4) and as virgin fibre cartonboard (GC). FOODCART™ limits mineral oil migration.

2018

MMK digital – trendsetting for the cartonboard industry

With MMK digital, MM Board & Paper has taken a pioneering role in elevating the digitalisation of the supply chain to a new level: The new sales and service platform complements the customary communication channels. With MMK digital, all business processes – from product selection to production preview, all the way to booking and delivery tracking – can be conducted online.

2021

Acquisition of Kotkamills board and paper mill in Finnland

The acquisition strengthens MM's position in the virgin fibre cartonboard market with an attractive range of barrier cartonboard solutions. In addition, MM enters the growing market for cups made of cartonboard (cupstock). MM Kotkamills operates the most modern virgin fibre cartonboard machine in Europe (built in 2016) as well as a machine for Saturating Kraft Paper and a sawmill.

Acquisition of Kwidzyn board and paper mill in Poland

With this acquisition, MM strengthens its virgin fibre cartonboard activities and diversifies its product portfolio by integrating an attractive pulp and paper production with focus on uncoated fine paper and packaging kraft papers.

The division MM Karton is renamed to MM Board & Paper.