Södra has introduced Södra blue S, a new paper pulp that blends softwood fibres with oat hulls sourced from Swedish grain processing. The product aims to meet rising demand for renewable materials and more circular resource use, drawing on more than a decade of technology development for utilizing residual streams from other industries.
Pilot trials at Södra Cell Värö have shown enhanced strength properties and good runnability in paper production, with conditions established by late 2025 to enable campaign-based volumes. The oat hulls come from local food producer Berte Qvarn, reducing transport distances and improving raw material flow resilience. The hulls previously had limited applications but now serve as a valuable input for fibre production.
The collaboration between Södra and Berte Qvarn transforms a residual stream into a resource that increases overall yield. According to Annica Ahlstedt Larsson, Head of Product at Södra Cell, the technology works and delivers high-quality pulp as a concrete step toward circular fibre solutions.
