Facts & figures

Sweden’s forest industry in brief

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Economic significance

  • Sweden is one of world's largest exporter of pulp, paper and sawn timber.
  • Export value 2023: SEK 184 billion. (2022: SEK 186 billion)
  • Approx. 80% of the products are exported.
  • About 2 out of 3 wood-based products manufactured in Sweden are sold within the EU.
  • A little over SEK 14,7 billion was invested in 2023 (2022:15,8 billion).

Employment

  • 120,000 employees in forest sector.

Forests

  • 70% of Sweden is forest land.
  • 75% of the forest land is in active use.
  • 1% of the forest resource is felled annually.
  • Each tree that is harvested is replaced with 2-3 new plants.
  • Approx. 400 million seedlings are planted annually in the Swedish forest.
  • The supply of timber in the Swedish forest has doubled since the 1920s.

Energy

  • 96% of the heating energy used by the forest industry is bioenergy.
  • Electricity consumption: 18 TWh per year – just over 14% of Sweden's total electricity consumption.
  • Several forest industry companies are large electricity producers. The forest indsutry is self-sufficient in renewable electricity up to 50%.
  • The forest industry is Sweden's largest producer of bioenergy.

Sustainability

  • Since the start of the 1980s, pulp and paper mills have reduced the organic materials they release into the water system by 90%. At the same time, pulp production has risen by 30%.
  • Since the start of the 1980s, pulp and paper mills have reduced the sulphur compounds they release into the air by 98%. At the same time, pulp production has risen by 30%.

Circularity

  • 78% of all paper packaging used in Sweden are recycled.

Transport

  • Each year approx. 70 million tonnes of goods are transported by railway in Sweden. About 17 million tonnes of this are forest products.
  • Each year approx. 470 million tonnes of goods are transported by truck in Sweden. About 80 million tonnes of this are forest products.

Research

  • Every year, Sweden invests SEK 2 billion in forest research at universities, colleges and institutes.
  • Forest industry companies annually invest SEK 2.3 billion in their own research.

Members of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation

The Swedish Forest Industries Federation represents 220 companies that refine wood into fossil-free and renewable materials and products.

  • 40 pulp and paper mills.
  • 80 sawmills.
  • 105 companies closely connected to the production of pulp, paper or timber goods.

The largest companies among The Swedish Forest Indsutries' members are Billerud, Holmen, SCA, Stora Enso and Södra.

Our pledges

In 2023 the Swedish Forest Industries' 220 member companies agreed on three pledges for 2040 focusing on sustainable development. The three pledges are:

  • By 2040, the forest industry's climate benefit shall increase 30 per cent.
  • By 2040, all wood-based products from our industries shall be fossil-free and recycable.
  • By 2040, Sweden shall have flourishing forests rich in biodiversity.

By working together, the forest sector wants to increase its contribution to address the societal challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more about Swedish forest industries' road to the future here.