Leading global provider of renewable solutions to ensure sustainability at Oberstdorf 2021
Zug, Switzerland – Stora Enso will be the Presenting Sponsor of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Oberstdorf 2021 following an agreement brokered by TRIDEM Sports AG on behalf of Infront, the exclusive media and marketing partner for the International Ski Federation (FIS) event.
The company, which specialises in renewable and recyclable solutions, will focus on ensuring the biennial event taking place from 23 February to 7 March is sustainable by supporting the local organising committee's efforts to protect the environment and use resources considerately.
It marks the fourth time Stora Enso will sponsor the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships after being the Presenting Sponsor for the event in Seefeld, Austria earlier this year as well as for Lahti, Finland in 2017 and Falun, Sweden in 2015. It was also previously an Official Sponsor.
The company – based in Helsinki, Finland – will see its name included on the official event logo and title, while its branding will feature on athletes’ bibs.
All event installations such as start gates and interview backdrops will use wood-based renewable and recyclable raw materials.
Sustainability was a key feature of Seefeld 2019. Over 5,000 small tree seedlings were given to visitors to take home and plant alongside other renewable giveaways distributed at the event. In addition, Stora Enso built an "Eco Pavilion" using large sections of renewable wood. The building was used by guests during the event and then handed over to a local tennis club following the conclusion of the World Championships.
Michael Witta, Director of Winter Sports at Infront said: "Sustainability has become a vital part of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and Stora Enso has been one of the main driving forces behind those efforts. The company's values match what Oberstdorf is hoping to achieve in terms of having as little impact on the environment as possible. We're happy to be working with them once again."
Franz Steinle, German Ski Federation (DSV) President and Chairman of the Oberstdorf 2021 Organising Committee said: "Ensuring that the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2021 is sustainable is high on our priority list as organisers. Having a partner like Stora Enso, who are experienced specialists familiar with how to work with the World Championships, will make the task more achievable."
Sarah Lewis Secretary General of FIS said: "Our work with Stora Enso at previous editions of the event has been hugely positive and we are happy to be building on the sustainability initiatives they have created. FIS is committed to support the further developments of what has been achieved so far, alongside the organizing committee, DSV and Infront."
Karl-Henrik Sundström, Stora Enso CEO said: “We are very happy to be the presenting sponsor for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships for the third time. Sustainability is the core of our business while operating in the circular bioeconomy. Our products substitute fossil-based products, such as plastics, and we are proud to contribute to a sustainable event with our renewable wood-based materials. Sponsoring the games is very natural for us as forests, where most of the events take place, are the source and core of our economy and value chain.”
About Stora Enso
Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Its customers include publishers, retailers, brand owners, print and board producers, printing houses, merchants, converters and joineries and construction companies. Stora Enso’s aim is to replace fossil based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. The group employs some 26 000 people in 30 different countries.
