Digitalisation – the key to a competitive Swedish forest industry

Digitalisation offers great potential for the creation of a competitive Swedish forest industry. Digital solutions open the door to efficiency, higher quality and entirely new business opportunities – and I believe we are only at the beginning of this journey. The opportunities are vast – we can be sure that many new tools will change the way we work, both out in the forest and within the industry.

Mapping forests from space, using drones and ground-based sensors, already provides significantly higher resolution than before. This high-resolution data makes it possible to monitor the condition of the forest in real time, to optimise logging operations and to plan transport within the forest more efficiently. But the potential extends far beyond what we are able to see right now. There is a wealth of opportunities that have not yet been realised – algorithms, sensors and analyses that are currently under development, and that could revolutionise how we understand and manage our forests.

Digitalisation is going to have an impact on the entire supply chain, from forest to industry. Just as the control system in a paper and board machine links the entire process together – from the log yard, through the pulp and paper mill, to the finished product – within the forestry sector we will also be able to predict and track the flow from the forest to the factory. The supply chain will become more interconnected than we could previously have imagined, creating opportunities for both higher productivity, and better utilisation of resources.

With even higher-resolution satellite data, yet more precise control can be achieved. We can plan every step with greater accuracy, minimise waste and optimise the use of our raw materials. Semi-autonomous vehicles in the forest are another example of how digitalisation is opening up new avenues. They not only offer more efficient harvesting, but they also create a better working environment that can attract more people to the industry, and increase interest in forestry work.

The impact on competitiveness, profitability and sustainability could be huge. By digitising data flows, automating processes and using advanced analytical tools, we can reduce costs, minimise environmental impact and, at the same time, increase precision in forestry. This combination of efficiency and sustainability is crucial if Swedish forest companies are to remain competitive on the international stage.

But it’s not just about technology – it’s a question of how we think about the forest, and the industry. Digitalisation gives us the opportunity to see the forest in a new light, to make better decisions and to create value in ways that were previously unimaginable. We can develop tools that measure not only volume and quality, but also biodiversity, soil conditions and climate impact, making it possible to take the entire ecosystem into account.

From my perspective, this is a key to the future. Digitalisation is not an end in itself, but rather it is a tool for developing a smarter, more competitive and sustainable Swedish forestry industry.

Torgny Persson

Director of Research and Innovation, Swedish Forest Industries Federation