PRESS RELEASE
May 29, 1995
Swedish forest company completes
major environmental inventory

As part of its heavy investment in sound ecological management techniques, SCA, Europe's largest forestry products group has undertaken the largest ecological mapping programme of its kind in Europe. The project will be completed this year with the remaining 200,000 hectares of forest studied, bringing the total area mapped to 1m hectares.

The aim of mapping in detail the animal, insect and plant life together with the diversity of landscape is to create dynamic long-term plans which combines forestry and the preservation of biological diversity. Creating these Ecological Landscape Plans will take until the year 2000 though in 1995 some 200,000 hectares will have plans in place.
"Our objective is to preserve all the species of plant and animal that are found in our forests," explains Jerker Karlsson, President of SCA Forest and Timber. "For decades the growth rate in our forests has exceeded fellings and we plant two trees for every tree felled. Now our development efforts are concentrated on preserving the biodiversity of our forests." SCA forests, in northern Sweden, cover an area of 1.8 m hectares of productive forest land, making the company one of the largest landowners in Europe.
Per Simonsson, SCA's forest ecologist explains the practical steps being taken." We are working on three different lines. We are protecting environments where endangered and vulnerable species may be found. We are developing alternative forest management methods for sensitive areas and we are increasing general nature consideration in all forestry operations."
Within the forestry company, for example all staff already undergo regular training in basic forest ecology which provides them with practical techniques for preserving the environment.
"About 10 per cent of our forests harbour nature qualities that require special attention," says Per Simonsson. "These areas will be either set aside entirely or managed with alternative methods." This includes the remnants of primeval-like forest that can still be found after three centuries of forestry.
The SCA group as a whole already has a strong commitment to recycling with 50 per cent of its production based on recycled fibres. In June SCA will begin operation of the largest newsprint mill in Europe based on 100 recycled paper at its Ayleford plant in the UK.
As fibre becomes worn out after six to seven times of re-use, a steady flow of forest fibre is vital to keep the system in balance. SCA produces paper from forest fibre close to its vast forest sources in Sweden and from recycled fibres close to large European cities turning a rubbish problem into a useful product.

Caption:
A modern final felling is far from clear cut. Trees, groves and life environments important to sensitive plants and animals, are left untouched. As an average, the Swedish forest company SCA leaves almost 50 trees per hectare for conservation purposes.

For further information contact:

Per Simonsson,Forest Ecologist,
Telephone +46 60 19 32 28

Björn Lyngfelt, Communications Manager
Telephone +46 60 19 32 54
Telefax +46 60 19 31 75