Södra has developed a new pulp grade, Södra Blue S, combining softwood fibres with oat hulls sourced from Swedish grain processing.
The product is part of the company’s broader push to improve resource efficiency and expand the use of renewable raw materials. The process enables the direct integration of forest and agricultural fibres during pulping.
Pilot trials at Södra Cell Värö demonstrated good runnability and enhanced strength properties, with several production trials already completed and yielding positive results.
The oat hulls are supplied by a local partner, creating a link between the forestry and agricultural sectors using residual materials.
According to Södra, more than a decade of development was required to adapt technologies capable of integrating external residual streams into pulp production. By late 2025, conditions had been established to support production volumes.
“Södra Blue S demonstrates what happens when we challenge our own assumptions. By combining forest raw materials with oat hulls, we increase resource efficiency and create value across two key basic industries,” said Annica Ahlstedt Larsson, Head of Product at Södra Cell.
Södra is a Swedish forest industry cooperative specializing in sustainable pulp, timber, bioenergy, and innovative fibre-based biomaterials.
