For Holmen, environmental and energy concerns play a natural role in planning production and investments. Operations are characterised by resource-efficient use of renewable raw material and energy, and by protecting the environment, applying the precautionary principle. Energy, chemicals and fibre are recovered as far as possible, in order to minimise the environmental impact of production. All Holmen's production units, including Holmen's forestry, are environmentally certified according to ISO 14001.
The main environmental impact from the industrial sites takes the form of emissions to air and water. Information on production and priority environmental parameters is presented under Environmental key figures. Holmen’s environmental work is characterised by constant improvement measures within the framework of certified environmental and energy management systems, which ensure compliance with legislation and requirements set by authorities. Responsibility for the management systems rests with the respective business area, as does environmental responsibility.
At the end of 2022, Holmen was running production operations that require environmental permits at nine facilities. Additionally, the converting plant in Strömsbruk is a notifiable activity. The permits specify conditions regarding permitted production volumes, noise levels and permitted emissions to air and water. Eight of the facilities are located in Sweden and one is in Workington in the UK. The facilities’ turnover amounted to 84 per cent of the Group’s net sales in 2022.
The paperboard mill in Workington gained a new environmental permit in 2022 with new conditions for its operations. In 2022, Sweden’s Land and Environment Court passed a decision on a new environmental permit for Braviken Paper Mill. The County Administrative Board appealed against the decision to the Land and Environment Court of Appeal. That court will decide whether leave to appeal will be granted. If leave to appeal is not granted, the ruling of the Land and Environment Court will gain legal force. It is expected that the matter will be resolved in 2023.
Holmen has three permits for wind power and 15 permits for commercial quarries. Additionally, the six wholly owned hydro power plants have environmental permits for the production plant, reservoirs and water regulation. In 2022, Blåbergsliden Wind Farm was opened in Västerbotten with an anticipated annual electricity production of just over 400 GWh. A permit application process is in progress for another wind farm in Västerbotten.
Holmen has applied for permits to build two wind farms on its own land in Östergötland. In one case, Holmen chose to withdraw the application in 2022 while awaiting an update to the municipal wind power plan. In the other case, current political circumstances make continued work more difficult. Two new consultations on wind farms began during the year: Tigerberget in the municipality of Hudiksvall and Högaliden in the municipality of Robertsfors.
New environmental legislation for hydro power entered into force in 2019. The legislation means that hydro power operators who do not comply with modern environmental criteria have to apply for a review under the Swedish Environmental Code before the end of 2039. Holmen’s plants have been registered under the national plan for revision of hydro power plant licences. Jointly owned facilities have been registered by the respective main owner. In late 2022, the Government announced that the plan will be paused for a year to investigate the consequences of implementing a review of the power system.