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The world’s first pilot machine for making it possible to work with nanocellulose on a large scale is currently under construction in Stockholm. With this major venture, Innventia, a research company, is taking a decisive step towards the industrialisation of its energy efficient production process for the new super material.

Nanocellulose is a material that is extracted from wood fibres. It has exceptional strength properties, being more or less as strong as Kevlar, a light weight material. However, in contrast to Kevlar and other materials based on fossil fuels, nanocellulose is completely renewable.

“For a long time, there’s been a great deal of interest from industry in utilising nanocellulose as a strengthening component in other materials, such as paper, composites and plastics,” relates Mikael Ankerfors, a Research Manager at Innventia. “We can also create new, more effective, environmentally compatible and renewable barrier films for packages used for foodstuffs.”

Nanocellulose, a super material, is going to have many areas of use in the future. For example, it can be used to make membranes and other reserve parts for the human body.  It can also be used as a provider of viscosity in foodstuffs; in other words, it is able to replace carbohydrates and other additives in foodstuffs, which are known as low calorie products.

“Nanocellulose will be something revolutionary for the foodstuff industry too,” continues Mikael.

For the first time, nanocellulose will be able to be produced on a large scale, with the process being economically efficient. Previously, the homogenising stage in the process was much too demanding, when it comes to energy. Due to the process developments carried out by Innventia, the energy consumption has been reduced by a total of 98%.

Mikael explains, “This is equivalent to a saving of 29,000 kWh per tonne. To give a comparison, consider that the heating of a normal sized house takes approximately 18,000 kWh per year. For a full-sized mill that furnishes a paper mill with nanocellulose, this means a saving in energy that would be equivalent to 8,000 houses a year.”

Innventia is making a major investment in this technology by constructing the first pilot plant in the world for producing on a larger scale.

“This is a natural step in the investment we’re making in nanocellulose. In order to develop applications, such as paper and composite materials, the raw material produced in a lab is not sufficient. As the only company in the world, we’re extremely proud to be able to offer industry real opportunities to participate in this field, which is so important for the future,” concludes Mikael.

For more information:

Mikael Ankerfors
Research Manager Paper Chemistry and Nanomaterials Group
08-676 72 61
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SCA Group headquarters will be relocated to the Waterfront Building, Stockholm's new landmark, by Central Station. The move was carried out at the beginning of March and represents a cost-efficient solution that reflects the SCA of today and tomorrow. The Waterfront Building conforms to a range of requirements governing environmentally friendly workplaces of the future.

SCA is vacating it premises at Stureplan, where the office has been spread out over a number of addresses. In efforts to identify new premises, needs-adapted and efficiently utilized premises combined with a distinct environmental profile have been the guiding principles.

"Our goal has been to create a cohesive and thus enhanced working environment, with simpler communication between various departments at head office. We have also assigned great importance to identifying an efficient environmental solution," says Gordana Landén.

Gordana Landén also points out the significance of effective communications, which, for a company like SCA, is highly significant for contacts with customers, suppliers and other parts of the company. Consequently, the proximity to the Central Station is positive from an environmental and communications perspective.

The Waterfront Building, a part of Stockholm Waterfront, is one of Sweden's greenest buildings. Energy consumption is reduced by, for example, using water from Klara sjö (Klara Lake) to cool the property. In addition, water/ice is used to store energy. The complex' double-glazed façade works as a solar collector and the Waterfront Building comfortably meets the requirements of the EU Green Building standard.

Stockholm, 8 March 2010

For further information, please contact
Pär Altan, Vice President Media Relations, SCA, +46 8-788 52 37

According to SCA's articles of association, owners of Class A shares have the right to have such shares converted to Class B shares. Conversion reduces the total number of votes in the company. When such a conversion has occurred, the company is obligated by law to disclose any such changes in this manner.

In February, at the request of shareholders, 5,300 Class A shares were converted to Class B shares. The total number of votes in the company thereafter amounts to 1,632,380,571.

The total number of registered shares in the company amounts to 705,110,094, of which 103,030,053 are Class A shares and 602,080,041 are Class B shares.

Stockholm, 26 February 2010

For further information please contact
Petter Tiger, Press & Media Officer, +46 8 788 53 62