Internal logistics improvements
Logistics is a team effort. Our recent improvements are the result of great initiatives and contributions from many employees, from different parts of Holmen. Step by step we work to reduce strain on the environment.
How to move raw materials with a lower environmental impact
Transport logistics is a key factor for both efficiency and the environment – this goes for internal logistics as well as for delivering our products to customers.
Some of Holmen’s biggest improvements in recent years have come from optimising long-distance transportation of raw material. The timber departments at Holmen's business area Holmen Forest play a particularly central role, and this has resulted in a better supply of Holmen’s industries with our own timber.
Follow along to see some of the ongoing and planned steps for developing Holmen's internal logistics.
Reducing the climate footprint is a parallel goal in all of Holmen's business areas. Actions that reduce emissions from internal logistics will matter for the footprint from all of our products, on all of our end markets.
"Efficient logistics provide more options, greater flexibility, and the ability to move raw materials to where they are needed most", explains Erik Olsson, logistics manager at the South Region at Holmen Forest. Together with Jonas Auselius, logistics manager at the North Region, he illuminates how Holmen works continuously to improve transportation through better logistics hubs and a wider range of transport methods.
1. Our giant timber truck
With its 45 meters, this specially built timber truck is 10 meters longer than the trucks using our public roads. The vehicle has a load capacity of nearly 100 m3fub, which is about twice as much as a normal timber truck. Its ability to carry large volumes reduces the number of trips needed for transporting timber on Holmen's industrial area in Braviken.
The number of rounds and thus the number of kilometers driven has been halved, which is good for the environment and a step in reducing our CO2 emissions.
The specially built timber truck has been in use since autumn 2023. Various types of special transport of roundwood are also used in other locations, including Iggesund.
“As infrastructure and truck technology continue to advance, we will see a more diversified vehicle fleet. To mention one example, we are working with a hauler in Södermanland who will be running a biogas-powered timber truck, and it will be very exciting to follow", Erik Olsson says about the future.
2. New terminal adaptations and rail transport
The collaboration between sawmill and paper mill is an important part of Holmen's circular business. When building the new terminal at Braviken, making room for longer vehicles came as a natural thought, while also improving the connection to rail transportation. Railway is used, to various extent, for internal transportation of timber and pulpwood to all of Holmen's industrial locations situated close to the Swedish railway network.
Rail has many advantages over road transport. A typical timber train is around 400–600 meters long and can carry as much as 20–40 trucks. As a comparison: Holmen’s largest train emits as much CO₂ in a year as a single timber truck does in three months.
“We have used regional rail transport for a long time, but in 2019 Holmen conducted its first joint railway procurement, which significantly increased capacity. As a result, Holmen has now electrified about a quarter of all wood raw material land transport." explains Jonas Auselius.
"Additionally, the terminal system has been expanded. The improved rail logistics have been crucial for optimising the use of volumes in our own industries”, he says.
3. Sea transport
Sea shipping is a flexible but slightly more expensive alternative compared to rail. Ships provide a reliable means of transport that can carry large volumes of various types of materials. In the past, shipping was used for imports from Russia, Scotland, and the Baltics. Today, raw material sea transport is focused on shorter, domestic routes.
4. Location exchanges
As Sweden is a large country, the distances between forest and industry can be significant. Location exchanges is a solution, meaning that we at Holmen can swap raw materials with other forestry companies. When another forest owner has their timber closer to our industries an exchange will be better for both parties, so that no material has to be moved over large areas in the opposite direction. The origin of the timber is still fully traceable, and the swap allows an even greater proximity between raw materials and processing.
Next steps in the development
Looking ahead, both Erik Olsson and Jonas Auselius sees more of what is already underway. The most efficient ways to supply our industries are through location exchanges, rail transport, and shipping.
"Timber exchanges take place with various partners, and Holmen anticipates further increases this year. This reduces transport needs and our carbon footprint", says Erik Olsson.
In recent years, we have also transitioned part of our vehicle fleet where conditions have been favourable. For example, Holmen has delivered a large share of cellulose chip using trucks powered by biogas.
"As a further step, we will soon introduce an electric truck for transportation of cellulose chips between Braviken Sawmill, Linghem Sawmill, and Braviken Paper Mill", Eric Olsson continues.
“As infrastructure and truck technology continue to advance, we will see a more diversified vehicle fleet. At Holmen, we also need to further improve our rail logistics. Additionally, we will see less idle time at terminals, and that is something we are working on at all our sites”, they both conclude.
"Holmen has now electrified about a quarter of all wood raw material land transport."
Jonas Auselius, logistics manager, Holmen Forest
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