A sustainable raw material for the future

Examples of areas of application that are on the increase

• Multi-family residences/apartment blocks made of wood
  Investments are currently underway around Sweden, which means that wood is significantly increasing its market share. The forestry companies and wooden house manufacturers are investing several billion in the production of building elements based on cross-glued wood, which can be adapted directly in the factory for the current construction project. The wooden building elements reduce the cost, shorten the construction time and provide a better indoor environment. In addition to the investment in Sweden, there are established construction companies that also invest in wooden houses in Finland and the Baltics.
• Packagings
  Major development potential for more areas of use. Printing paper production is on the decrease while the production of packagings is on the increase.
  StoraEnso has decided to expand the mill in Skoghall, Karlstad, which produces cardboard for beverage packaging, which can replace glass and PET bottles, aluminum and tin cans.
  SCA is expanding the production of corrugated board, which has received increased demand with increased e-commerce.
• Energy raw material
  Pellets and wood chip combustion as an alternative to fossil fuels. The advantages of good distribution channels for forest products in the Baltic Sea region.

Investments in the forestry industry

Interest rates and demand are deemed favourable to investments which will lead to capacity increases and an increase in the demand for raw materials.

• Sweden
  Investments in the forestry industry are expected to be approximately SEK 10 billion over the next few years. Implemented investments in Värö, Östrand, Gruvön and Skärblacka amounted to SEK 15-17 billion, the most recent 5-year period.
  Research initiatives in the forestry sector are approximately SEK 1 billion per year; the aim being to double this figure by 2030. Stora Enso for instance has invested in the establishment of research offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Finland.
• Finland
  Investments in the forestry industry are also expected to be approximately SEK 10 billion per year. Mätsä Fibre invested approximately SEK 11 billion in a new pulp mill at Ännekoski completed in 2017. Metsä Fiber has decided to invest approximately SEK 16 billion in a new biocombined / pulp mill in Kemi, which will significantly increase timber consumption in northern Finland and also that northern Sweden will be included in the catch area for timber raw materials.
  Research initiatives in the forestry sector in Finland are approximately SEK 1 billion per year.
• The Baltic States
  The Baltic States are generally smaller players that do not generate the substantial, individual investments that we see in Sweden and Finland. The forestry industry is expected to develop at a high pace as it is an important industry for all three countries. Investments of approximately SEK 3 billion per year have been made in agriculture and the forestry industry in Latvia in recent years.