Sawn softwood production totalled 2.4 million cubic metres, which is 3% less than in the year-ago period. At 1.7 million tonnes, pulp production was likewise 3% below levels seen in July-September 2014. Meanwhile, paper production fell 4% to 1.8 million tonnes.
“Finland’s cost competitiveness must be supported with actions that will have a quick effect. Furthermore, wage agreements in the coming years must be moderate. Rigid collective agreements in effect prevent measures that could improve productivity and competitiveness locally,” says Timo Jaatinen, Director General of FFIF.
Since the beginning of January, pulp and paperboard production increased by 1% and 3%, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 2014. Sawn softwoods production shrank by 4% in January-September while paper production fell 3%.
“Because investments in the sector are growing, decision makers must pay increasing attention to the opportunities presented by the bioeconomy. Wood raw material must be made available by encouraging forest owners to be active. Furthermore, measures must be taken to ensure skilled labour is available. Emissions Trading Scheme compensation must also be adopted in full,” Mr Jaatinen says.
Paper and paperboard production fell 10.8% in September 2015 compared to the corresponding period in 2014. Production in September totalled only 780 000 tonnes, mainly due to the political strike that affected the Finnish Forest Industries Federation’s member companies.
