This past November (2016), the Södra Foundation for Research, Development and Education, Sweden, decided to contribute an additional SEK 10 million to research projects connected with forestry. Six different projects have been awarded grants, one of which focuses on addressing the future market for wood fiber-based products by developing new fibers from existing processing environments. 

To meet the requirements imposed on new cellulose-based products, such as paper and packaging, it must be possible to regulate and vary the core properties of the pulp used. Chalmers University of Technology has launched the project AvanCell: New Fibers from Existing Processing Environments, and has been awarded SEK 8 million to do research on this topic.

"The project aims to establish new knowledge about how we can regulate the properties of pulp. If we learn more about how to utilize the processing environment and the chemistry in the final bleaching stage, we can change the flexibility and interaction properties of the fiber, something that is highly sought after by both pulp customers and consumers," said Laila Rogestedt, SVP of Innovation and New Business at Södra.

Research grants have also been awarded to several projects in the field of sustainable forest management. The grants were presented to researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Skogforsk for studies related to the damage of saplings, birch production, more effective use of harvesting data, and work environment issues pertaining to forestry machinery.

Project contributions decided in November 2016 are: 

The Södra Foundation for Research, Development, and Education approved the provision a total of SEK 10,460,000 in funding for new projects. Altogether, the Foundation has provided SEK 15,591,000 in project funding during the year.