EU decisions and new innovations in focus when the Västra Götaland Forest Program met

The Västra Götaland Forestry Program is an initiative that promotes sustainable development in the forestry sector. Through collaboration between companies, research and public actors, the project works to strengthen innovation, sustainability and competitiveness in the region. During the last steering group meeting, EU decisions, new technologies and opportunities in the forest industry were discussed.

The steering group for the Västra Götaland Forestry Program recently met at Södra's Värö Mill to discuss the project's continued development and future activities. Dan Oscarsson, Head of Process and Product Development at Södra, hosted the meeting and emphasized the importance of collaboration across different perspectives to achieve the program's goals.

- The most important thing with the Forestry Program is to make progress in our target areas where we see a need. But the great benefit is the experiences and perspectives that emerge when we meet widely," says Dan.

The meeting was also attended by Johan Norman from the Swedish Forest Agency, who gave a presentation on current EU issues. He particularly highlighted the upcoming regulations on deforestation and nature restoration, which have the potential to significantly affect the Swedish forest industry.

- "The transition is not always fast enough based on set targets, and then the EU can decide on binding regulations that have a major impact on the Member States," said Johan Norman.

In addition to discussions, the steering group was also given a tour of the KL wood mill and the pulp mill at Värö Bruk. Here, participants got an insight into how wood processes work and how by-products are used to create additional value. Jenny Schmitz Dahlöf, Project Manager at Innovatum Science Park, said:

- Wood as a material is very versatile and more and more applications are being found and scaled up. Södra is now investing in new facilities where they will produce lignin and vegetable tannins. Lignin can replace fossil materials used in glue. The vegetable tanning agents replace synthetic variants and are used when processing leather.

Collaboration and meetings between forest stakeholders continue to be at the heart of the Forest Program's work going forward.