A pure commitment to the environment

Photo: Torbjörn Berkvist

SCA is now introducing SCA Pure. A premium NBSK pulp with outstanding properties. This vitally includes a highly robust tensile strength and not least -the best environmental profile on the market. Naturally complying with both FSC® (FSC C013162) and PEFC™ (PEFC/ 05-33-132). Available as both TCF and ECF, in a broad range to meet specific customer demands.

The completion of SCA´s new state-of-the-art pulp mill, the worlds largest production line for bleached softwood kraft pulp, allows SCA to more than double their production capacity. A leap from 430 000 tonnes to an impressive 900 000 tonnes.

The entire process is on a sustainable loop, enabling SCA to lower the mills lowspecific fossil carbon footprint by another 50%.

 “Today, consumers demand constantly improving pulp products, with reduced impact on the environment. Our new mill allows us to gently treat the strong fibres, sourced from our own forests, throughout the entire process, enabling us to produce peerless products for the premium segment with a fantastic environmental profile”, says Henning Ellström, Vice President and Market Director

Billions of people around the world can now afford to use fibre based tissue and hygiene products for the first time, and a rapidly ageing population in several large markets propels the demand for convenient hygiene products. Add to that the huge need for the world to replace fossil-based materials such as plastic, where pulp will play an important role.

 

The result is increased demand for pulp. But not just for any pulp. The demand is for top class certified pulp. From trees harvested in carefully managed forests. Produced in energy-efficient processes that use resources wisely.

 

SCA owns the largest private forest holdings in Europe, a well managed, constantly growing asset in Northern Sweden, roughly the size of Belgium. For every tree harvested, SCA plants at least two new. In fact, the planting season is now beginning in Northern Sweden and 43 million seedlings are to be planted.

 

Since climate issues are a hotter topic than ever. SCA wanted to know what consumers around the world really thought. What do consumers know about products made from trees? What do they know about fibre-based products and environmental certifications? Do consumers perceive fibre-based products as recyclable? Do consumers see the forest as a renewable resource?

 

“Therefore we conducted a global survey, covering all the major markets in Europe, US and China. The results of the survey were an eye-opener for us. We need to be better at communicating the strong environmental profile we have, not least how well we manage our forests. Environmental certification is not enough. 60 per cent of the consumers believes that our forest is a scarce and decreasing resource. And they do not believe that our forests are managed sustainably”, explains Henning.

 

The result really shows that the pulp and paper industry has a challenge. Especially among young adults who don’t even see paper and packaging as renewable, and a vast majority of young adults consider the forest a scarce resource.

 

“Let’s help each other to communicate that the forests in Europe are actually a growing, well-managed asset, especially in the Nordic region. In Sweden, we have twice as much forest as one hundred years ago. And growing forests make an important contribution in absorbing carbon dioxide” summarises Henning.