Due to several years of successful efficiency improvements, our fossil-free production target will soon be achieved by all of our production units. It is very gratifying that our nurseries have already reached this goal.

The journey of change undertaken by Södra’s sawmills in recent years is now yielding results in terms of more competitive production and a better offering to our customers.

I am proud of what we have done at Långasjö. With this investment of SEK 100 million, we have created an efficient and modern sawmill where we can produce even higher volumes at a lower cost and meet the demand for our sustainable products. The investment makes the facility well-equipped for the future and strengthens our market position.

There are several reasons for this robust earnings trend. The favourable global economy has contributed to high demand and a positive price trend for Södra’s products in both market pulp and the sawn timber area. We are also seeing the positive effects of our comprehensive expansion investments in the pulp mills, and the efficiencies and restructuring we have achieved in sawn timber production.

It is a great honour to receive this award and it is an accolade to all of our fantastic coworkers at Södra. Committed employees are, and will always be, what drive our company forwards. At Södra, it is not only the forest that must grow. We are a company that shows the way and where we grow together as we move into the future. There is still work to be done, but the award is confirmation that we are on the right track.

This is very gratifying, both for Södra and society as a whole. It confirms that the transition to fossil-fuel independence is not only possible, but that Södra is also able to lead the way in this area

Forest growth is continuously increasing and we have twice as much forest now compared with 100 years ago, a trend that we want to continue. One of Södra’s sustainability targets is a 20-percent higher rate of forest growth on our members’ estates by 2050. Because they lead to better yields, our cultivars are important for achieving that target.

Despite the difficult conditions created by a very wet autumn and winter, we could effectively limit the negative impacts of our harvesting and thinning on soil and water. The positive results are due to our systematic nature conservation activities over the past 20 years, and good teamwork and coordination between our competent contractors and field workers.

These two factors combined indicate a highly positive trend. Södra has been working systematically to improve nature conservation in forestry since the 1990s with the aim of strengthening biodiversity. The growing number of birds in forests is due to several underlying factors – ongoing climate change is believed to be one, but we are also seeing how a greater focus on nature conservation has promoted forest bird populations.

We are delighted to have set a record for the third consecutive year. Our focus on more digitised production is starting to yield results in the form of higher volumes, and improved seedlings with more even quality.

Timber is a fantastic material to build with and we are seeing a growing interest globally to build in a more environmentally sustainable manner using wood.

The hardwoods have regenerated almost 100 percent naturally and in the most recent inventory, they accounted for about 25 percent of the dominant tree species compared with 18 percent in 2000. The reason for this increase has not been studied in any detail, but it’s probably due to a more positive view of hardwood trees among forest owners.

This is a milestone decision. The forest offers enormous potential when it comes to finding new and sustainable solutions for products that were previously confined to fossil raw material. Södra has expert knowledge in forests and industrial processes to extract high-quality products from forest raw material, while Statkraft is specialised in energy. This is a strong combination.

By being open to new methods, we can also continually adapt our way of working. In this way, we are making an even greater contribution to our owners and their forests, as well as to society as a whole, which benefits from well-managed forests

We are very pleased with this substantial increase. It shows how we can use innovation and investments in green industry to meet important societal needs

Growth in China is robust. With the increased volumes provided by our investments we can tap into this growth. Demand for raw material from certified forest is on the increase with a clear focus on sustainability, and this is something we can contribute towards.

More and more people are realising why we need to switch to fossil-free alternatives, but products must also move forward. We have access to the best and most renewable raw material available – forests. We also have the industrial expertise required for these types of complex and innovative Products.

This is a very positive trend that we can also see on a global scale. Timber construction is by far the most environmentally friendly alternative and a condition for the global change to a more sustainable society.

Both producers and consumers are demanding sustainable alternatives to packaging made from fossil-based materials like plastic. This is where the forest and the forest industry have a lot to offer. We have a fantastic, renewable commodity and we have the knowledge and experience to develop new solutions that are required for a climate-smart future. DuraPulp is a 100-percent sustainable alternative that is well-suited for packaging intended for sensitive substances such as food.

While forests are playing an increasingly significant role in the bio-based community, the conditions for forestry are changing. We have made a lot of progress with forestry in southern Sweden, but we want more. There is more to do in terms of both production rates and diversity. This research will contribute. It will create even more opportunities for a stable and forest-based future.

We want more people to discover the joy and opportunities presented by the forest. Grow Forest is a way to welcome the next generation of forest owners and employees. Public awareness of forestry and forest products is relatively low and through this game, we hope to arouse curiosity and create new insights.

We see a broad social trend. Wood is becoming increasingly popular as a building material for both private construction and multi-unit solutions. There is a growing awareness that wood is by far the most climate-smart alternative for construction.

The forest contains solutions to many current and future challenges. We would like more people to learn more about this – and perhaps also make a contribution.

The increased digitisation of the nursery, including more computer-controlled platforms, will be highly significant for raising the quality and quantity of production. The nursery’s resources can be used more effectively, which will help us improve our contribution to ensuring new forests in Sweden.

Fossil-free and climate-positive operations are high on Södra’s agenda. It is only natural, therefore, that we sign up for the challenge from Fossil Free Sweden and we hope that many others will do the same.

We are happy about the County Administrative Board’s decision. The use of drones makes field work in forests safer, more time-efficient and comprehensive. It’s a good example of a new solution in the move towards digital forestry.

Several studies have shown that gender-equal companies are more profitable. Accordingly, the entire association benefits from having an equal-opportunities approach.

The higher rating for our environmental considerations is continuing. Södra has been working systematically with nature conservation for 20 years, by training our forestry professionals and the harvesting contractors who work for us, for example, and we are now seeing the results in the form of greater consideration for the environmental impact of our regeneration harvests

More than 90 percent of the forest plants we sell today are cultivated saplings with higher growth rates than non-cultivated saplings. Since the forest can be used for many products that are needed in the transition to a climate-compatible future, stable access to forest raw material is critical for all of society.

Construction is on the increase and interest in sawn timber is growing in Poland.

I am very happy that we are further realising our efforts through this investment. We have so much to contribute on climate issues and in the shift to a fossil-free society. This clearly shows how we as a company can take part in and lead the way in this transition.

This represents an important step to further enhance consideration of water and the nature conservation value associated with water. The forest is an important element in facilitating the transition to a fossil-free society, and thus a good balance between active management and effective environmental consideration is required.

Research suggests that – if executed effectively – returning nutrients to healthy forest land could result in increased forest growth for at least ten years after the bio-ash is spread.

This confirms an important trend for timber construction. Sweden is becoming increasingly aware of the fantastic raw material that wood represents. Our joint efforts to realise fossil-free alternatives benefit all of society.

The digital technology represents an enormous development, both for forest owners and for us. We have improved overview and the ability to make better decisions while contributing to both increased production and improved nature conservation.

As a Group operating in the green sector, it is important for us to be a sustainability leader. Our operations can offer so many social benefits in the transition to a bioeconomy. We are now increasing the tempo by giving these targets the same status as our financial targets.