Paper production in Sweden is based largely on the use of virgin fibre. Chemical pulp – mainly sulphate pulp – accounts for 44 per cent of raw material consumption. Bleached chemical pulp is used mainly in the production of fine paper and of the outer layer of paperboard, while unbleached chemical pulp is mainly used in the production of sack and kraft paper, kraft liner and paperboard.
Mechanical pulp is mainly used to produce newsprint and magazine paper and for paperboard.
De-inked pulp (pulp made from waste paper) represents a relatively small but growing proportion of the raw materials used. (The percentage shown in the diagram is not to be confused with the admixture ratio, which is the ratio between the volume of waste paper and paper production.) Waste paper is mainly used in the production of newsprint, liner and fluting for corrugated board, tissue paper and certain grades of paperboard.
Filler and coating chemicals are used to give the paper the desired characteristics, such as strength and good printability.