Renewable and recyclable solutions company Stora Enso has extended its presenting sponsorship of the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) Nordic World Ski Championships for a fourth edition of the event.
Stora Enso will continue in the role at the 2021 Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany, following an agreement brokered by TRIDEM Sports on behalf of the Infront agency, the exclusive media and marketing partner for the event.
The Finnish company will focus on ensuring the biennial event is sustainable by supporting the local organising committee’s efforts to protect the environment and use resources considerately. Stora Enso has previously served as presenting sponsor of the Nordic World Ski Championships 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 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.
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.”
Karl-Henrik Sundström, Stora Enso chief executive, added: “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.”