The Södra Group’s net sales for the first nine months of 2021 increased more than 25% compared with the year-earlier period to SEK 20,018 million ($2.3 billion).
Operating profit totalled SEK 4,021 million ($472 million) and return on capital employed was 26%. The equity ratio was 62% at the end of September.
Operating profit for the 3Q 2021, July–September, totalled SEK 2,148 million ($253 million). Sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 6,999 million ($823 million).
“The favourable market conditions with high price levels have led to a strong result. There has been substantial interest in sawn timber and the demand for pulp remained positive. We estimate that the market outlook will remain positive in the short term, but can also see greater uncertainty in the slightly longer perspective,” said Lotta Lyrå, President and CEO.
“The market is at an exceptionally high level, partly as a reaction to the weaker market conditions in 2020. We should view these unique years – 2020 and 2021 – as a whole and not as two separate years. We can then separate temporary reactions from long-term trends and allow the latter to guide us in strengthening our efficiency, making sustainable decisions and keeping pace with the times.”
Digitisation efforts intensified during the 3Q 2021. During the autumn, one thousand sensors will be installed at Södra’s three pulp mills to provide better control of maintenance work. This is part of the digital initiative that will strengthen operations by integrating data support as a natural part of the industrial process. Through the use of digitisation, Södra will increase efficiency and in parallel improve profit by SEK 1 billion ($117 million) by 2024.
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