Together we are circular
Growing, healthy forests, efficient management of raw materials and circular ecosystems are vital to our profitability. They are also the cornerstone of a genuinely sustainable business.
Holmen's circular business model
We make the forest grow and give
Holmen's business is built on the forest cycle and the renewable products we can create from it. Wooden houses, books, warehouses and renewable consumer packaging are examples of end products from our forest. With active and sustainable forestry, we ensure that we get more forest and an optimal raw material.
Efficient use of resources
We use the raw material from the forest to the maximum. In fact, we do it so well that nothing is left over. From the most valuable parts of the wood, we make wood products for climate-smart construction. The tree's weaker parts, timber from thinning and chips from the sawmills, are turned into cardboard and paper in our mills. And the bark and sawdust will be used as well, as bioenergy. And from the water and wind on our land, we produce renewable energy. And so it continues. We plant new seedlings and manage the growing forest responsibly, creating productive forests that give us more raw material to refine.
Together we are circular
Our business model is circular. The forest cycle provides us with wood. The wood is processed and turned into products that our customers can in turn further process. When the life cycle is nearing the end, the products can be recycled and resurrected in a new form, or be used as bioenergy. The highest possible added value determines what is produced from the different parts of the tree, and the residual products that arise are utilised in other processes. We think this is both good business sense and responsible resource management
The power of customer choice
We do the greatest benefit for the climate together with our customers when they choose our renewable products and energy sources, instead of fossil alternatives. We give quality-conscious customers all over the world access to products from the Swedish forest. Our customers, partners and not least the users of our products are all part of a circular business and their choice of renewable products from forest, wind and water makes a positive difference.
Holistic approach to sustainability
We work to be a positive force in society and focus on three areas where we have the greatest opportunity to make a difference, not only in the future but already today.
Our climate contribution
We are part of a value chain where climate benefit is created at several stages.
Climate benefitWe create thriving forests
Our forestry creates good conditions for biological diversity.
BiodiversityWe grow best together
We are committed to our people and to the communities in which we operate.
Sustainable workplaceWe take care of the whole tree
We cultivate the forest to get as much wood as possible and from the trees we harvest we saw as many planks and boards as possible. But not everything can be turned into building materials. This is because trunks are round and planks are angular, and trees also consist of branches, tops, twigs and bark.
Holmen's two nurseries produce almost 45 million seedlings annually, most of which are planted on their own land. After almost a century, when the tree's growth slows down and its ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide decreases, the forest is ready to be harvested. With certifications for environment and traceability, we can ensure that the raw material for our products always comes from sustainably managed forests.
Half of the harvest consists of coarser logs that are used for the production of
Building materials for houses and interiors, among other things, and the smaller part of the trees and timber from thinning account for just under half of the harvest and are used together
with residues from the sawmills in the form of chips for the production of paperboard and
The remaining part consists of branches, tops and bark used for the production of bioenergy.
Certifications
Distribution of the harvest
5% Branches, tops, bark and sawdust are converted into renewable bioenergy for the production of electricity, heat and biofuels.
45% The thinner part of the trees and timber from thinning is used by grinding or boiling down to pulp for the production of paper and cardboard.
50% The coarse logs, which make up half of the timber harvest, are sent to sawmills to become building materials such as construction timber and carpentry products. About half of the logs are processed into wood products, while residual products such as wood chips and sawdust are used to produce pulp and bioenergy.
