Innovation and research
Through innovation and development, we continually improve our products and services – and create new ones. We’re also finding better ways to harness the full potential of every tree. Additionally, we’re exploring more opportunities to replace fossil-based materials with renewable resources from the forest.
Increasing customer value, sustainability, and efficiency are key areas of focus in SCA's development work. We enhance customer value by consistently improving our products and refining their properties. We also ensure that our products perform optimally in our customers’ processes. In addition to this, we develop new products and find innovative ways to use existing ones in new applications.
Improved efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand. By maximizing the utilization of every part of the tree – turning it into sustainable products or using it for energy production – we benefit both the environment and resource efficiency. This includes ensuring that as much of each tree as possible becomes sawn timber. It also involves using side streams such as sludge, ash, and bark to create high-value products.
Replacing fossil-based products with renewable forest-based alternatives is a critical issue in transitioning to a bioeconomy and a sustainable future. Finding more such solutions is therefore a central part of our innovation efforts.
We also develop services and offerings to simplify processes for our customers.
SCA Smart Box and Skogsvinge are two examples. SCA Smart Box is a simulation tool that allows users to quickly and easily test different combinations of corrugated board. Skogsvinge, on the other hand, is a digital tool designed to help forest owners manage their forests more effectively.
Major leaps and continuous improvements
SCA focuses on both incremental improvements and taking significant leaps forward. For instance, we are currently exploring the possibility of building the Biorefinery Östrand together with St1. This would be the world’s first large-scale biorefinery where solid biomass is converted into biofuel using innovative technology. This effort will help us contribute to a new, sustainable fuel that reduces the negative climate impact of aviation and other forms of transport. Since autumn 2023, the Gothenburg Biorefinery, co-owned by SCA and St1, has been operational. It produces environmentally friendly diesel, partly from tall oil sourced from SCA’s pulp mills.
Development in many Areas
Our development work spans a wide range of areas. Here are just a few examples:
- We are developing more environmentally friendly impregnation methods to protect wood products from fire and decay.
- We are enhancing our AI-supported tool for planning harvesting operations.
- We are continuously improving the printability and runnability of our liner.
- We are discovering new applications for our kraft pulp.
Collaborations with partners
SCA is also involved in numerous innovative collaborations with various partners. Here are a few examples:
- Together with Scania, we are working to electrify heavy timber transport.
- We are participating in an exciting development project aimed at creating a remote-controlled soil preparation machine.
- We are one of the participants in the Mistra Digital Forest research program, which explores methods to gather better data about forests and contribute to a more digitalized forestry sector.
SCA R&D Centre
The SCA R&D Centre is the Group's research and development hub, supporting the business areas in their innovation efforts. It houses cutting-edge expertise across the entire value chain, from raw materials to how our end products perform in customers' processes.
Current innovations
Here are some examples of innovations and research projects at SCA. Click through to learn more.
Remote-controlled soil scarification machine
SCA is involved in a development project aimed at a remote-controlled soil scarification machine. Skogforsk leads the project and is responsible for the work in the testing environment, while SCA acts as the landowner and contributes with a base machine.
Liquid Biofuels
SCA and St1 are planning to build a biorefinery adjacent to SCA's Östrand pulp mill. Currently, preparations are underway on the site where the facility is planned to be constructed, and other conditions necessary for building the biorefinery are being evaluated.
Fler innovationer
Forest Business Accelerator
SCA collaborates with startup companies through the Forest Business Accelerator. The accelerator combines forest-based development with digitalization and entrepreneurship and is a partnership between SCA, IBM, RISE Processum, and the business incubator Bizmaker.
Arcwise
For the first time in history, Arcwise® has made it possible to bend corrugated board into a continuous rounded shape.
Related content
Remote-controlled soil scarification machine
SCA is involved in a development project aimed at a remote-controlled soil scarification machine. Skogforsk leads the project and is responsible for the work in the testing environment, while SCA acts as the landowner and contributes with a base machine.
Five companies in the start-up program Forest Business Accelerator
This week was the start-up meeting for the eighth round of the Forest Business Accelerator. As before, the program has caused several start-ups with forest innovations to apply to Västernorrland.
SCA uses AI for digital forestry planning
SCA has launched a new tool with AI functionality for digital forestry planning. In 2023, small-scale tests were conducted to scale up to more extensive tests in 2024. “It’s incredibly exciting. It involves both new technology and new working methods that give us several advantages,” says Magnus Bergman, who leads SCA Forest’s technology and digitization staff.