Pär Davidsson, Head of Market Intelligence, gave an insight into the current state of the market and Södra’s outlook for the future, explaining that the softwood pulp market has undergone significant change which has led Nordic producers to seek new markets. Drivers include shifting consumer behaviour, regulatory developments, trade barriers, economic growth, sustainability and supply shifts (mill closures, expansions, raw material availability).

In difficult market conditions where the future looks uncertain, adding value is paramount. Jenny Gotthardsson, Site Manager at Södra Värö, explained Södra’s future-proof model: creating a thousand possibilities from every tree.

The Värö site, a Super Site, encapsulates the model, optimising resource efficiency and the value of members’ family forests. A wide portfolio includes diverse pulp grades, biofuel, green electricity, district heating, tall oil, turpentine, biomass, and recent innovations such as Spira pulp and tannin.

Guest speaker Natalia Bezrebra shared insights from Euromonitor International’s research on consumer perspectives, both for tissue and packaging. Guests received detailed slides analysing both markets, but if you missed the event, you can read the key takeaways of her presentation in a separate article in this newsletter.

In addition, Linda Ottosson, Head of Communication and Christina Wennberg, Marketing Manager, were on hand to discuss partnership in practice and the possibilities to work together to secure a competitive edge for the future.

Over an informal tapas reception, guests were free to immerse themselves in sounds of the Swedish forest and taste (alcohol-free) birch wine and flavours from southern Sweden while discussing everything from Conscious delivery to growing the forest for a more sustainable future.