Global leaders in paper products SCA

GLOBAL LEADERS IN GLOBAL LEADERS IN PAPER PRODUCTS PAPER PRODUCTS

SCA is a global consumer goods and paper company that produces and markets personal care products, tissue, packaging solutions, publication papers and solid-wood products. The SCA Forest Products division is a leading producer of timber, pulp and publication paper. Representing sales and marketing for pulp and paper production for the group, SCA

Forest Products is keen to promote responsible and renewable products.

Millions of consumers use SCA products every day. The group provides hygiene products, personal care, tissue, packaging and forest products, and has over 50,000 employees worldwide. SCA Forest Products accounts for 17 per cent of group sales and has 4500 workers, all playing a key role in the company culture of openness, efficiency and a passion for nature.

Founded in Sweden in the mid-1800s, the group was officially established as Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget in 1939. SCA Forest Products has developed into a large part of the group and is located in the middle of Sweden, 400km north of Stockholm, and is the largest private forest land owner in Europe.

Respecting the forest

From the forest, the company generates around 1.8m3 of sawn timber annually, 500,000 tonnes of pulp and 850,000 tonnes of paper. Of the paper produced, around 370,000 tonnes is used for newsprint, with the remainder apportioned to magazine paper including glossy paper.

Committed to supplying bioenergy and ensuring the entire process is as environmentally responsible as possible, SCA Forest Products always utilises the whole tree. A company representative told Industry Europe, “If you imagine the whole tree, around two thirds of it is used for timber, the top third for the production of pulp and the branches, tops and sawdust generated is used for bioenergy pellets as it is too thin for any other product. Of the timber part, only 50 per cent is able to be made into timber as it needs to be made into a square shape, so the rest of the section is made into chips for pulp. We always make sure we use 100 per cent of the tree as it is an important natural resource that deserves respect.”

SCA Forest Products has always appreciated the value of its natural resources and continues to create value through knowledge of consumer and customer needs, regional presence and efficient production. Sustainable development is a strategic strength across the whole group, with SCA Forest Products passionate advocates.

The company representative explained, “Our reputation is one of high environmental profile and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing that further. SCA Forest

Products adhere to all possible standards and promote effective use of available technology to support our aims. For example, we do not use any chlorine in our pulp production and have a closed loop for wastewater so that nothing spoils.”

A preferred supplier

SCA Forest Products is also one of the first certified forests with its own label and, while it is not the biggest in the market in terms of size, is often the preferred supplier because of the consistently high level of service, product quality and environmental sustainability.

A key element in the progressive, consistent success of SCA Forest Products is its strategic understanding of maintaining the entire supply chain, which offers great benefits to the company and its customers. Since 1967 SCA has had its own transportation provision, starting with three new large vessels with a 12,000 tonne capacity each. In 1996 SCA introduced three new state-of-the-art vessels with a more modern handling technique and a 9000-tonne capacity each.

The company representative continued, “Our transportation vessels allow us to maximise the potential in the supply chain. We have distribution centres and terminals to support the operation and we have essentially built the model for industry in Europe – especially regarding forestry transportation.”

SCA Forest Products is able to utilise the system effectively by using return cargo to fill the vessel both ways. “The vessel can be filled with any cargo that needs to be transported to our destination – there is real economy in our system.”

Future developments

Europe is the key market for SCA Forest Products, accounting for 85 per cent, with the UK and Germany as the biggest markets. The company has sales offices in 11 European locations as well as a presence in the Baltic States, Russia and the USA. A technical aftersales service is available at both mill and office level, with teams working to constantly improve the printability of its paper products. n