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(12/14/2016 / rkj)
Södra provides SEK 10 million in funding for research and development
In November, the Södra Foundation for Research, Development and Education decided to contribute an additional SEK 10 million to research projects connected with forestry. Six different projects have been awarded grants, one of which focuses on addressing the future market for wood fibre-based products by developing new fibres from existing processing environments.
To meet the requirements imposed on new cellulose-based products, such as paper and packaging, it must be possible to regulate and vary the core properties of the pulp used. Chalmers University of Technology has launched the project AvanCell: New Fibres from Existing Processing Environments, and has been awarded SEK 8 million to do research on this topic.
“The project aims to establish new knowledge about how we can regulate the properties of pulp. If we learn more about how to utilise the processing environment and the chemistry in the final bleaching stage, we can change the flexibility and interaction properties of the fibre, something that is highly sought after by both pulp customers and consumers” said Laila Rogestedt, Senior Vice President of Innovation and New Business at Södra.
Research grants have also been awarded to several projects in the field of sustainable forest management. The grants were presented to researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Skogforsk for studies related to the damage of saplings, birch production, more effective use of harvesting data and work environment issues pertaining to forestry machinery.
Project contributions decided in November 2016
| Project | Contribution | Company | Researcher |
| Transparency and the Swedish Forest Agency: What should we do now going forward? A proposal | SEK 550,000 | King’s College, London | Roland Lofstedt |
| The effect of plant type, land preparation and pine weevil protection on damage by black bark beetles to spruce saplings in Southern Sweden | SEK 605,000 | Asa Försökspark | Kristina Wallertz |
| Development and testing of model for calculating harvesting costs based on tree size | SEK 300,000 | Skogsforsk | Johan Möller |
| Measurement of load level during partial automation | SEK 375,000 | Skogsforsk | Martin Englund |
| Application for funding for continuation of the forest research project Birch for High-Value Timber Production | SEK 350,000 | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Jens Peter Skovsgaard |
| AvanCell: New Fibres from Existing Processing Environments | SEK 8,280,000 | Chalmers | Hans Theliander |
The Södra Foundation for Research, Development and Education approved the provision a total of SEK 10,460,000 in funding for new projects. Altogether, the Foundation has provided SEK 15,591,000 in project funding during the year.
Facts
The mission of the Södra Foundation for Research, Development and Education is to promote research and education of significance to forestry and forest industry operations in Southern Sweden.
The projects that are granted funding include fields of research and development that are relevant and important for both forestry and the forest industry. Since the inception of the Foundation in 1995, some 150 research projects have been awarded grants. The findings of the research projects have been significant both from a social perspective and for the forest industry.
