SCA's forests
The forest is the heart of SCA's operations, and thanks to our responsible management, it is an everlasting resource. Our goal is to ensure that our forests are as rich in biodiversity, nature experiences, and raw materials in the future as they are today. Through our active forestry, the forest and its renewable products also contribute significantly to climate benefits.
SCA is Europe’s largest private forest owner, managing 2.6 million hectares of forests, wetlands, lakes, and mountains in northern Sweden. Additionally, we own land in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
As a major forest owner, we have a responsibility to practice a forestry that balances the forest's many values.
Balancing the forest's many values means combining high production of renewable raw materials with comprehensive consideration for biodiversity, reindeer husbandry, outdoor recreation, and much more.
Our goal for biodiversity is simple yet challenging: all species present in our forests today should have the opportunity to thrive there in the future. Our nature conservation strategy outlines the measures we take to integrate productive and profitable forestry with effective nature conservation that preserves biodiversity.
This includes taking precautions in all forestry activities, setting aside forests with the highest conservation values, and implementing active measures to protect, develop, and restore habitats. Altogether, we dedicate 30 percent of our productive forest land to nature conservation. In many cases, our conservation commitments exceed both legal and certification requirements.
Growth generates climate benefits
We practice active forestry management, ensuring well-maintained forests where timber resources increase over time. in fact, SCA has never had as much wood as today and through our approach to care and manage for our forest, the standing volume is expected to grow over the coming decades. Around 2050 we will have doubled our standing timber volume. Read more about standing timber volume and how we plan our harvesting level here.
High and stable growth is a crucial part of our responsible forestry. This enables us to create significant climate benefits and contribute to societal welfare. The climate benefits consist of several elements: growing forests bind carbon dioxide and provide in the same time substantial access to renewable raw materials and wood-based products that store carbon and also can replace fossil-based products. In this way, we can make it possible for consumers worldwide to readjust to a fossil-free society.
Welfare and nature experiences
Our contribution to welfare includes creating thousands of jobs, sustaining vibrant rural areas, and generating substantial tax revenue and export income. The forestry sector enables people to live, work, and thrive across Sweden, including in remote areas.
Our forests are also a place that many nature-loving Swedes enjoy – all year round. The forests offer wonderful natural experiences, scenic hikes, fishing, and hunting. Many also pick berries and mushrooms on our land, made possible thanks to Sweden's unique Right of public access.
To balance the forest’s many values, we plan our forest management with a long-term perspective, across large geographical areas and with multiple target images constantly present. In doing so, we ensure that the forest continues to be a strong resource for welfare and climate benefits, while preserving other values.
We take pride in our forests and the forestry practices we have developed over time. As we gain new knowledge, we continue to evolve. With the force of the forest, we contribute to a sustainable future.
The forest balance
We strive to find a good balance between all values of the forest.
Economic values: Renewable raw material and products, job opportunities, positive trade balance, investments, tax revenue.
Social values: Welfare, rural development, reindeer husbandry, outdoor activities, hunting and fishing.
Ecological values: Biodiversity, watercourses and wetlands.
Climate values: Growing forests bind carbon dioxide, carbon storage in products, substitution – fossil products can be replaced.
Cultural values: Ancient and cultural remains, landscape values.
SCA's forests and forestry
Read more about our forests and how we manage them. Here you will also find tips on great destinations if you want to visit our forests.
Responsible forestry
As a major forest owner, we are responsible for conducting forestry that balances many different values. This means that we combine a high level of renewable raw material production with extensive consideration for biodiversity, reindeer herding, outdoor recreation, and much more. Our conservation commitments often exceeds both legal and certification requirements.
Forest & climate
Limiting global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. As a forest company, we are one part of the solution. First as trees in our forests grow and capture and bind CO₂. Then as our sustainable raw materials are turned into products that replace those that leave a broader carbon footprint. In this way, oil and coal can remain underground.
Welcome to our forest
Our forests are not only a home for varoius flora and fauna. We welcome everyone to visit and find a beautiful place. Come and hike, pick berries and mushrooms or simply enjoy the calm atmosphere of the forest.
SCA in the Baltics
SCA Forest's Baltic operations manage SCA's forest holdings in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The operations are also responsible for purchasing imported timber, mainly pulpwood. We have three timber terminals in Estonia and Latvia.
Forest and forestry - history
Today's forestry is shaped by the development of forests over the millennia. Join us on a historical look back where we follow the history of forests and tell how the view of nature consideration has evolved.
Latest news from SCA's forest
Successful basal burning in Ångermanland
In April, SCA carried out a basal burning on 35 pine trees in Hornsjömon, part of SCA’s Conservation Park Sörgraninge. The fire makes the trees grow more slowly and develop dense wood impregnated with resin. Many species are adapted to this type of wood.
SCA and Swedish Sámi National Association agree on long-term collaboration
SCA and Swedish Sámi National Association, the representative organisation for reindeer husbandry and Sámi business and community affairs, have signed an agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between SCA, SSR and the reindeer husbandry sector. The agreement is intended to develop working methods that improve conditions for reindeer husbandry while ensuring that forestry is conducted in a long-term and responsible manner.
New species found in Västerbotten on SCA land
The very rare beetle Glischrochilus tremulae has found a new home in SCA's Conservation park Tjäderberget, located in the Lycksele area. The species is new to Västerbotten county and has specific habitat requirements, primarily living in sun-exposed hollow aspens.
Read more about
SCA's map tool
In our map tool you can see SCA’ s land holdings in Sweden, including our voluntarily set asides and our five Conservation Parks. Here, you can find your own forest gem.
Sustainability to us
There is an urgent need to change our society – and we have a clear picture of how to achieve this. We see a green transition, with an economy that works for both people and the environment. We see a transition to products that do not damage nature, but are instead part of the perpetual cycle. We see sustainable investments and innovations. The forest is showing the way to a fossil-free world in balance.
The core of SCA’s business is the forest
SCA is an important part of society in Sweden, being an important employer with strong ties to the communities in the north where our industries and businesses are located. We create jobs, we develop infrastructure and we turn a renewable natural resource into export revenues. We are committed to creating value as a sustainable business for our shareholders, customers and employees.