Milestones - Ortviken paper mill

Ortviken’s industrial operations based on forestry began in the early 1800s when a timber yard was set up at the site. Logs were hewn into square-section beams and then used as pit props.

1862: Wholesaler Forssell builds a steam-powered sawmill at Killingholmen.

1893: Ortviken’s steam sawmill is taken over by Skönviks AB, the district’s largest sawmill company.

1902: Sawmill production ceases.

1906: Ortviken’s sulphite plant begins construction, mill starts operating 1908.

1929: Skönviks AB becomes part of SCA, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget.

1940: Alcohol-driven engines and fodder pulp produced at Ortviken during the war.

1955: SCA decides to erect a paper mill for newsprint at Ortviken with two paper machines.

1958: Ortviken’s sulphite plant changes name to Ortviken’s paper mill. PM1 starts operations to manufacture newsprint.

1959: PM 2 starts operations.

1965: SCA decides to build a new paper machine at Ortviken.

1967: PM 4 starts operations. Ortviken now regarded as a major newsprint producer with a total capacity of 340,000 tons per year.

1973: A plant for producing thermomechanical pulp (TMP) starts operations. Ortviken is first in the world to use TMP in producing newsprint.

1984: TMP production capacity is expanded and the sulphite plant closed. SCA decides to build a fourth paper machine at Ortviken.

1985: PM 5 starts operations.

1990: PM 1 replaced with LWC 1, a paper machine for manufacturing lightweight coated paper, so-called LWC paper. Ortviken becomes first in Sweden to produce LWC paper.

1996: PM 4 replaced with LWC 4, another LWC paper machine.

1999: New refining and bleaching system is introduced to produce pulp for the manufacture of low weight LWC paper.

2000: Ortviken receives its FSC chain-of-custody certificate. SCA is first in the world to offer FSC-certified publication papers.

2001: New refiners for TMP production.

2002: LWC 1 and LWC 4 upgraded to increase and improve production.

2003: Construction of a new bleach plant has commenced to enable production of improved newsprint with higher brightness and better printing properties. Ortviken now has an annual production capacity of 800,000 tons.

2004: Extension of effluent treatment plant. New bleach plant for Newsprint line.

2006: The annual production capacity increases to 837,000 tons.

2009: New TMP (Thermo Mechanical Pulp) plant with an increased capacity of 440-600 tonnes pulp per day.