Woodlands: From forest stewardship to fiber selection

Wood procurement

Before paper can be made, fiber must be sourced and delivered to the mill. Wood procurement is the process of securing a reliable supply of fiber from responsibly managed forests while balancing environmental, economic and operational considerations.

Billerud procurement foresters work closely with landowners, foresters and qualified logging professionals to ensure fiber quality, sustainability standards and supply chain efficiency. Their role helps connect forest management with the manufacturing process.

Tree growth and harvest cycles

Trees require years—and sometimes decades—to reach maturity. Growth rates vary depending on species, climate, soil conditions and geography. Some species may be ready for harvest in a few decades, while others require much longer.

Foresters carefully manage harvest cycles to ensure forests remain productive over time. By harvesting mature trees and allowing younger trees to continue growing, forests can continuously regenerate while providing a sustainable source of fiber.

Logging and wood procurement

Modern logging is a highly planned and carefully managed operation. Harvesting methods are selected based on forest conditions, environmental considerations and long-term management goals. Special attention is given to protecting waterways, minimizing soil disturbance,and preserving wildlife habitat. In the Lake States region, mechanized cut-to-length harvesters and forwarders equipped with low-impact tires or tracks are commonly used to efficiently harvest and process trees into logs.

Once harvested, logs are merchandised and transported to pulp mills and sawmills, where they are sorted, measured and prepared for processing. Efficient procurement and transportation systems help maintain a reliable supply of wood and fiber while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Modern harvesting
Discover how modern harvesting technology, professional forestry and responsible land management work together to protect forest health while providing a sustainable, traceable source of wood fiber for paper and packaging.

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Species selection for pulp quality

Lake States forests are uniquely equipped with a diverse selection of tree species capable of producing high-quality papermaking fibers. Different species possess unique fiber characteristics that influence the strength, appearance and performance of the finished sheet. Selecting the right species is one of the first steps in engineering paper for a specific application.

Papermakers often blend fibers from multiple species to achieve the desired balance of strength, smoothness, opacity, printability and appearance. This rich regional fiber resource gives papermakers the flexibility to tailor products for a wide range of end uses.

Hardwood vs. softwood fibers

Hardwood and softwood fibers each bring unique qualities to papermaking. Softwood fibers are generally longer and stronger, providing durability and strength to the finished sheet. Hardwood fibers are shorter and finer, helping create smoother surfaces and better print quality.

By combining the strengths of both fiber types, papermakers can optimize paper performance for specific applications. The right blend can improve everything from printability and opacity to stiffness and runnability.

Our love and our livelihood.
At Billerud, the forest is where many of us go to enjoy life in our free time and it’s where we get wood pulp, the main ingredient in our paper. It’s both our passion and our business to ensure the forestlands are healthy and managed sustainably now and for future generations.