However, production of paper and paperboard still decreased by 5% against 2004 levels to 3.5m tonnes due to mill closures and machine stoppages that brought a halt to production this year.

The Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF) released the figures in the latest production update for the third quarter.

Due to the new workers' agreements, which brought a resolution to the dispute, 5,000 paper and pulp mill staff will still be working at Christmas. This follows the removal of the mandatory stoppages at Christmas and midsummer as part of the negotiations.

From January to September, 8.8m tonnes of paper and paperboard were produced.