Using water sustainably
Making paper and paperboard requires large volumes of water, but very little is consumed. The fibres are suspended in water during production, and the challenge lies in removing that water in a controlled way to achieve the desired product properties.
At Holmen, all our mills use only surface water, taken from nearby rivers, lakes or coastal inlets. The water is cleaned as it enters the process, circulated and reused many times, and then purified again before it is released back into nature. We monitor and test water quality continuously to ensure a low environmental impact and compliance with environmental permits.
Responsible water sourcing
Holmen's paper and paperboard mills are located in areas with an ample supply of surface water and low water stress. Our Swedish mills draw from inland lakes and rivers, while our UK site sources water from the coast and nearby rivers.
Braviken Mill takes its water from the Motala Ström River, which flows from Lake Vättern through Norrköping before reaching Bråviken Bay. The water is led to the mill through a seven-kilometre-long tunnel.
Hallsta Mill sources its water from the Skeboån, which gets its water from six lakes in the surrounding area.
Iggesund Mill draws from the inlets of Iggesundsfjärden and Gårdsfjärden on Sweden’s north-east coast.
Workington Mill uses coastal and river water from the River Derwent in north-west England, where strong tidal currents ensure constant natural renewal.
Cleaning and recirculating water
Each Holmen mill operates a closed water system where every drop is used efficiently. The same care is taken with the water that enters production, which is filtered and cleaned before use to maintain quality and protect equipment.
Water circulates through our processes several times before being released. Around half passes through purification, while the rest either disappears as water vapour or remains unaffected. Advanced monitoring systems track flow, temperature and purity to maintain efficiency and minimise use.
Purification takes place in three stages: mechanical, biological and chemical. Larger particles are removed through pre-sedimentation, microorganisms break down organic material, and aluminium sulphate and iron salts eliminate remaining substances such as oxygen-consuming substances (COD) and phosphorus. The temperature is kept around 35 °C to support biological activity and ensure stable treatment.
Protecting the water environment
Each Holmen mill operates under strict environmental permits that define discharge limits and water quality requirements. Regular testing of process water and nearby rivers, lakes and coastal waters helps protect ecosystems and maintain healthy aquatic life. All results are compiled in environmental reports verified by internal and external experts, and available through our environmental declarations and product profiles.
Monitoring and compliance
Water quality is measured daily, and total discharge volumes are reported quarterly to environmental authorities. Each mill operates under the conditions set by the Swedish Land and Environment Court or, in the UK, by local agencies. Permit limits cover total suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus and COD, and all values remain well below regulatory thresholds.
Local ecosystems
Holmen’s mills are situated in areas with natural water renewal and are part of regional monitoring programmes. At Iggesund, long-term studies have documented strong ecological recovery in the coastal inlets of Gårdsfjärden and Enångersfjärden. At the same time, surveys near Workington show a healthy shoreline ecology with diverse marine life and no signs of toxic effects. Monitoring is carried out in coordination with local environmental authorities and marine biologists.
Continuous improvement
Holmen continuously refines its water management systems to improve performance and meet evolving environmental standards. Investments in purification technology, monitoring and process efficiency ensure that our mills maintain low emissions and high reliability over time.
Upgrades and innovation
In recent years, several mills have rebuilt their water treatment facilities to increase capacity and meet stricter discharge limits. At Braviken and Hallsta, upgrades have improved the ability to handle higher COD loads linked to brighter paper grades. These investments are part of Holmen’s long-term programme to strengthen water treatment capacity as production processes evolve and regulations tighten.
Collaboration and transparency
Holmen works closely with authorities, researchers and local stakeholders to share knowledge and evaluate water quality. Environmental declarations and product profiles provide open access to data on emissions and water use. We also engage in joint research and data-sharing initiatives with universities and industry associations to advance best practices in water stewardship.