Holmen Starts Sawing Lodgepole Pine Products for US Market
Holmen Wood Products has begun sawing lodgepole pine at its sawmills in Iggesund and Linghem. The initial sawing, drying, and planing processes have exceeded expectations, with the first shipment of products slated for the US.
Holmen Wood Products has successfully launched the sawing of lodgepole pine at its Iggesund and Linghem sawmills this autumn. The sawing, drying, and planing operations have reportedly exceeded expectations, and the initial shipment of products is preparing to depart for the United States.
Holmen Forest harvested approximately 50,000 cubic meters of lodgepole pine from forests in Hälsingland. The logs were divided, with smaller ones shipped by sea to Linghem Sawmill and the rest transported by truck to Iggesund Sawmill. Lodgepole pine is not new to the mills; trial sawing occurred in 2023, followed by planing in Linghem for certification in European and US markets.
Both sawmills were well-prepared for the new timber. Mikael Karlsson, mill manager in Linghem, described the first commercial run in early October as a handled process, noting that lodgepole pine is slightly more brittle than Scots pine but the differences were manageable. Linghem established a dedicated group to learn and document the process as it unfolded.
Magnus Malmström, mill manager at Iggesund, explained that prior trial sawing provided valuable insights. While lodgepole pine is less strong and has more branches, leading to some breakage, Iggesund has refined its processes. The timber is sawn alongside other species and then planed in larger batches at Iggesund, while Linghem operates in campaign runs. Both mills have obtained lodgepole pine certification.
The lodgepole pine products are expected to be a significant addition to Holmen's portfolio, provided quality and price points are maintained. The company plans to continue supplying the timber in the coming years, particularly during the off-season for builders' merchants. Holmen views having production at multiple sites as a strength, fostering technical development and ensuring raw material security. The main products, strength-graded joists, are targeted at the US construction market, with side boards intended for the packaging industry in Europe and North Africa.