Agenda 2030

At Lessebo Paper, we take responsibility not only for our environmental impact but also for the people connected to our business. Within the framework of our Cradle to Cradle Certified® status, the category Social Fairness ensures respect for human rights, fair working conditions, and ethical business practices throughout our value chain.

Together we have carried out a human rights risk assessment in line with international standards, identifying potential risks linked to specific raw materials and countries of origin. While most of our supply chain presents a low risk, we remain vigilant and proactive in addressing any areas of concern.

Our primary supply chain consists of 12 Tier 1 suppliers. 10 Tier 1 suppliers are located in Sweden, 1 Tier 1 supplier in Italy, and 1 Tier 1 in Finland. This geographic proximity enables close collaboration, traceability, and transparency. In line with the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines, we continuously engage with our partners to uphold fair treatment, safe workplaces, and ethical conduct.

In addition, we have conducted a risk assessment of our Tier 2 suppliers – those providing materials and components to our direct suppliers – particularly focusing on potential links to higher-risk countries. These suppliers are monitored through annual evaluations, supplier questionnaires, and by applying our Responsible Sourcing principles to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the extended supply chain.

To strengthen accountability, Lessebo Paper has implemented a Whistleblower Policy that provides a confidential and secure way for employees and stakeholders to report any ethical, legal, or human rights concerns. We actively encourage the use of this system to ensure transparency and continuous improvement. So far, no complaints have been received through the system, which we view as a positive indication of trust and compliance. However, to ensure functionality and confidence in the mechanism, regular simulations are conducted to verify that the process works effectively and that all employees are aware of how to use it.

Through these initiatives, we contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, ensuring that our paper is produced with fairness, integrity, and respect for people.

In order to achieve higher levels of economic productivity through innovation, we improve our resource efficiency in consumption and the production of our papers. The resource efficient production is run by green energy from water, wind and solar energy, in conjunction with waste materials from local sawmills. The waste energy from the production supply the houses in Lessebo with district heating

At Lessebo Paper, we choose our suppliers with care. Lessebo Paper promotes local companies; e.g. the pallets are produced at a facility 10 minutes away from the mill and the pulp in our paper origins from the forests surrounding Lessebo. We offer one of the most climate friendly high quality design paper to the global market which makes it possible for you to choose responsibly.

In order to reach more responsible consumption habits, we need to encourage behavioural change and stimulate a shift in the market towards more sustainable alternatives. Lessebo Paper encourage innovations within the sustainable segment, by producing paper to the production of paper straws and paper bags. 

We have produced paper generation over generation, developing one of the most climate friendly paper in the world. It is in our nature to care and foster the surroundings for the coming generations.

Lessebo Paper is working for climate change mitigation through increasing the capacity of carbon sinks through reforestation. The trees utilized for our paper come from Swedish forests, where more trees are planted than harvested, for every tree felled, at least two new trees are planted. The goal of mitigation is to avoid significant human interference with the climate system, and stabilize greenhouse gas levels. The Swedish forests are absorbing 55 million tonnes of CO₂ per year. Furthermore, utilization of Swedish pulp contributes to transports with low carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy is needed when operating logistics and especially for the transportation of goods, at Lessebo Paper we have adopted a transport efficiency strategy with optimization of transports in order to lower the CO₂ emissions. 

Our paper mill is located by a water stream and we have responsibility of the water flow in the lake of Läen and the River of Ronneby. These waters are the habitat of thousands different species vital for biodiversity, this is why the water released from our paper mill is cleaner than the water we take in.

The paper machines at Lessebo Paper have separate closed white water system loops which enables us to keep the water consumption as low as possible. The used process water is purified in our efficient wastewater treatment plant before release. In order to maintain a good freshwater ecosystem, we analyse the quality of the discharged water on a daily basis in our SWEDAC accredited laboratory.

Lessebo Paper is a member of Ronnebyåns Vattenvårdsförbund (Water Conservation Association of the River of Ronneby), with an objective of good freshwater ecosystem.

All forestry operations are certified to recognised sustainability criteria, and Lessebo Paper holds FSC® Certificate (FSC-C021923) and PEFC Chain of Custody (PEFC/05-33-88), which promotes the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. All forestry operations comply with The Forestry Act which regulates how the forest is managed through an economic, an ecologic and a cultural perspective. The ecosystems in our nature are vital, and we have high demands on how the forest is managed.

Lessebo Paper is supporting the reforestation of the global forests, by using pulp from sustainable sources. In less than 100 years, Sweden’s forest assets have doubled, it is growing with 211% since 1920. Annual net growth stands at around 120 million forest cubic meters and each year around 90 million forest cubic meters of that growth is harvested.

In order to promote a more sustainable approach to global forests, halt deforestation and promote a biocentric approach, Lessebo Paper is participating in research conducted at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Umeå University.