On 16 September, Södra officially inaugurated a new water treatment plant to meet the latest environmental standards for sustainable industry, in compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

Pulp production is a water-intensive business, so treating and recycling process water to the highest standard is vital for a sustainable business, and thus an area of high priority for Södra.

This upgrade includes the addition of a new disc filter, which is used in the final stage of the treatment process. In addition, the system has been expanded to handle higher volumes of the process water in preparation for future pulp capacity increases.

The environmental impact of Södra's pulp mills is at such a low level that all of the company's pulp can be used for paper products that carry the Swan or EU ecolabels. The biological treatment facility has mainly been designed to reduce emissions of nitrogen, phosphorus and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) to the Baltic Sea. Södra aims to be more environmentally conscious than mandated by law, and to exceed the expectations placed on a modern industry.