Södra increases recycled content in timber packaging to 70%

Södra is taking another step towards more circular material flows by increasing the share of recycled plastic in its timber packaging from 50% to 70%. The new packaging solution reduces climate impact while strengthening the company’s supply chain.

The updated plastic wrap, featuring an off-white/grey colour, enables a higher proportion of recycled material to be used. At the same time, Södra is simplifying the packaging design by reducing the number of print variations, meaning the new appearance will gradually be introduced across its products.

“By rethinking something as fundamental as packaging, we can reduce climate impact, increase the share of recycled material and take concrete steps towards more circular material flows,” says Maria Persdotter Isaksson, Head of Sustainability at Södra Wood.

The initiative builds on a long-term collaboration with Swedish packaging manufacturer Trioworld. In 2021, Södra introduced timber wrap made from recycled consumer plastic, and the latest development further increases the recycled content to 70%.

The change is expected to reduce emissions from the packaging by approximately 160 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents annually.

“Södra is a partner that drives development forward and sets high standards for both performance and climate impact. The fact that we are now able to further increase the share of recycled material in timber packaging together shows what is possible when long-term collaboration and high ambitions go hand in hand,” says Johan Lantz, Sales Director at Trioworld.

The new timber packaging has already been tested at Södra’s Värö sawmill and will be introduced gradually at all of the company’s sawmills as part of its ongoing transition towards more circular packaging solutions.