SWEDEN (News release) -- Holmen plans to invest in increased production and processing of wood products for sustainable construction.

"Developing the wood products side is a natural extension of our forestry business and an important element in Holmen's strategy of owning and adding value to the forest. Wood products used for houses and other buildings also provide considerable climate benefit, as they store carbon for a long time while at the same time replacing fossil emissions from concrete and steel," says Johan Padel, Senior Vice President Wood Products.

Over the years, Holmen has gradually developed its business with builders' merchants, not least through the acquisition of Martinsons, which has added glulam beams to its product range. Glulam is produced at Bygdsiljum Sawmill in Västerbotten, Sweden, from where it is distributed to customers all over the country. About half of the total volume is supplied via builders' merchants. Establishing a cutting line and a distribution warehouse at Braviken Sawmill outside Norrköping will shorten delivery times to customers in southern Sweden, while also reducing transport costs and the climate footprint of the products.

An extension and investment to remove bottlenecks at Bygdsiljum Sawmill will also enable Holmen to increase the production of CLT. A new CNC milling machine, used to make cutouts for windows and doors in structural elements made of CLT, will allow capacity to be increased by 50%. The new plant is expected to be operational by spring 2024.

"Demand for processed wood products, especially CLT and glulam beams, is growing and with rising interest in wood construction we see great opportunities to further develop the business," says Olov Martinson, mill manager at Bygdsiljum Sawmill.

Holmen is one of the biggest forest owners in Sweden and the growing forest is the basis of its business.

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