Holzindustrie-Nachrichten aus Schweden

Several producers improved results, while mill closures reduced Nordic lumber capacity and production.

The association cites a continued weakened market situation and lower demand for the reductions.

The planned closure will remove about 110 thousand m3 of annual lumber production.

Latvia lost 9 percentage points of Sweden's softwood log imports; Sweden imported 1.4 million m3.

Sweden imported 1.4 million m3 in Q2 as Latvia lost 9 percentage points of Sweden's imports.

Prices increased for the second consecutive year after declining in 2023.

The Swedish company described current business conditions as the worst in 30 years.

Prices for sawlogs, pulpwood and fuelwood all decreased from the first quarter, while delivery timber prices also fell.

Setra's Q2 operating profit turns positive to SEK 15 million ($1.6 million) on falling timber costs and internal efficiency

The benchmark was down 11.3% year on year, while U.S. market import volume rose 1.4% month on month.

Purchase includes manufacturing equipment and three brands generating BRL 800 million ($156 million) in annual sales.

Lower electricity prices, weaker wood-product earnings and cautious construction demand affect operations, while board and paper deliveries improve.

Clarifier and precoat filter installation targets improved recausticizing efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

The law also directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to identify financing barriers for modular housing and study a federal building standard.

Sawlog and pulpwood stocks rose in timber balance region 2, while pulp chip stocks increased in all regions.

The industry calls for simpler environmental reviews, digital permit processes and tighter appeal procedures.

The company aims to improve profitability, speed up decision-making and consolidate its Nordic supply chain.

Brazil’s plywood exports fell 17% overall, while shipments to Mexico rose 58% and exports to the United States declined 23%.

Sawmilling producer prices remained below year-earlier levels, while wood-panel and parquet producer prices increased on both monthly and annual comparisons.

New pricing for all grades takes effect from September 1, 2026.

The company reviews supplier sourcing plans each year, requires FSC certification and blocks deliveries when suppliers cannot prove compliance with its minimum sourcing standard.

High raw-material costs and weak pulp, timber and construction markets continued to pressure prices and profitability.

The Piteå plant processes approximately 0.4 million tons per year of crude tall oil into feedstock for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

Andreas Mattsson succeeds Mikael Schmidt, who retires on 31 December 2026 after serving since 2017.

The project will develop and pilot tools for recycled material uptake, reuse and take-back models, integration of agricultural residues and improved traceability across eight European countries.

Swedish sawmill joins Austrian group's portfolio, operating as Malå Timber.

Investment targets roof-mounted fans to prevent unplanned stops and fire risks.

Karlsson will join the group executive management team and will succeed Magnus Örnberg, who will remain with the company until early 2027.

They propose indicative land‑use targets based on member states' own assessments and projections and say voluntary carbon removal rules must remain voluntary.

Malin Nygren permanently assumes role effective 1 July 2026 after serving as interim VP since March.

The company will invest Euro 19 million in upgrades to increase fluff capacity to 440 thousand tons annually, with the project due to complete in the fourth quarter of 2027.

External logistics partner's performance at new Meppen facility causes delays, higher costs, and reduced delivery precision.

Applications for montane forest permits rose to 873 hectares while January–May notified area fell 2% to 103,464 hectares.

The deal adds a plant with 46 million linear feet capacity and 120 employees.

Intelligent Vision Platform combines deep learning with real-time image analysis to classify each wood surface.

Net felling was 70.5 million m3 with softwood sawlogs just under half; exports rose to 1.0 million m3 while imports fell to 8.4 million m3.

Kristoffer Ljungfelt is stepping down from the role of CEO by mutual agreement

Timber price declines may ease costs only with a lag and further closures are likely if the market doesn't improve.

The U.S. posts the steepest decline among the largest softwood lumber import markets, followed by Germany and China, while supplier volumes fall most for Canada, Russia, and Austria.

Fluff pulp continues normal operations as two remaining lines become core to the unit's long-term strategy.

Changes include closing the Sundsvall manufacturing site, adjusting operations in Gothenburg and Jelenia Góra, and temporary layoffs in Finland from June through December.

The closures will leave Vida operating 13 sawmills across central and southern Sweden.

New process increases yield and strength properties using local oat hulls.

For delivery timber, prices increased on sawlogs and decreased on pulpwood.

New executive joins from Boliden in autumn 2026 as current SVP Anders Edholm departs on July 31.

Equipment delivery and commissioning scheduled for summer 2026.

High industry inventories and cold weather limit production, while the company enters Phase 2 of its internal efficiency work.

Significant overcapacity in the forest industry led to production curtailments that reduced demand for pulpwood, and pulpwood prices fell during the quarter. Log demand decreased, and log prices began to decline slightly from very high levels.

New division head succeeds Doug Smith after securing new supply and driving strongest results since 2016.

Investment targets increased machine availability and more effective maintenance planning within scheduled shutdown windows.

The forestry group cites higher logistics and input costs, a stronger krona and uneven pricing between wood supply and finished products, while pointing to small pulp-price gains late in the quarter.

Western Sweden and parts of Jönköping are the worst-hit areas, and most of the damaged volume is spruce.

Nearly 5,300 employees now across 39 countries as fiber-based solutions integrate into existing capabilities.

Delivery and commissioning scheduled for summer 2026 under new agreement with an undisclosed sawmill.

The site has installed an automated pallet nailing machine and a package saw, allowing it to make standard and special-format pallets with dense and open deck designs.

Forecast growth is led by infrastructure spending, higher premises investment and a gradual housing-start rebound.

Proposed changes target up to 355 roles across Sweden and Poland as part of Euro 20 million annual cost savings.

Total notified and applied felling area reaches 21,203 hectares, while montane forest permit area declines and regional results vary

Deal adds small harvesters and forwarders for sensitive terrain to equipment portfolio.

Notifications rise in Northern and Southern Norrland, while permit applications fall in montane and valuable broad-leaved forests.