SCA has developed Solo Print, a one-side coated paper as part of its Sustainable Packaging product family. This paper gives printability in the same class as upmarket magazines, with the market’s best environmental profile.

Solo Print packaging © SCA Forest Group

The new product, Solo Print, is specially developed for flexible packaging, well suited for  bags, wrapping paper, flowpack and banners. Solo Print is characterised by a very high print quality and very high opacity (less transparent). Solo Print is certified for direct contact with dry and fatty food.  Solo Print is also suitable for lamination base or PE/PP coating on the inside to allow for heat sealing and to provide moisture protection. Solo Print can also be used in board applications. Its high opacity and brightness provides a perfect surface for various types of board applications. Thanks to its good profiles and dimensional stability, Solo Print is also suitable as a lightweight liner in corrugated applications.

“Our new Sustainable Packaging products have been well received by converters and brand owners,” says Rolf Johannesson, Marketing Director at SCA Forest Products. “We have identified strong demand for a one-side coated paper and we have therefore decided to launch one.”

The coating is of the same high quality as the printing paper that SCA produces for magazines and advertising. The paper is based entirely on fresh fibre and is therefore highly suitable for applications within the food sector.

Solo Print complements SPLENDO, OPERIO and PURO, three product lines that have already been launched within Sustainable Packaging. They include both coated and uncoated grades and combine a resource-efficient and light packaging material with excellent printability. They also offer attractive features in terms of product safety and environmental performance, such as low carbon footprint, fresh fibre from sustainably managed forests and environmentally compatible production.

“We have applied our extensive knowledge of both printing on paper and packaging solutions in the development of our new products, to combine printing performance with efficient resource management and low cost. We are also proud of our world-class environmental performance,” says Rolf Johannesson, Marketing Director at SCA Forest Products.

SCA Ortviken in Sundsvall has an annual production capacity of 900,000 tonnes of coated and uncoated paper for printing and packaging and has around 700 employees.

For additional information please contact:

Rolf Johannesson, Marketing Director,
SCA Forest Products, tel. +46 (0)60 19 41 52.

Björn Lyngfelt, Information Director,
SCA Forest Products, tel. +46 (0)60 19 34 98.

Hygiene Matters 2014 is the fourth global consumer survey commissioned by leading global hygiene and forest products company SCA. The aim is to raise awareness among decision makers, experts and the general public globally, of the connection between hygiene, health and wellbeing. SCA also aims to contribute to a more knowledge-based public dialogue that strengthens the possibility of improved hygiene for women, men and children everywhere. The theme of Hygiene Matters 2014 has been “Women and Hygiene”.

SCA (STO:SCAA) (STO:SCAB) aims to make a difference to people’s everyday life by providing sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products under many strong brands such as TENA, Tork, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda. The 2014 Hygiene Matters survey results reinforce SCA’s determination to work even harder to meet women’s needs and desires when it comes to personal and intimate hygiene for themselves and their families. The Hygiene Matters 2014 consumer survey clearly shows that there are still unmet needs among women globally both when it comes to hygiene products and solutions, as well as raising knowledge about personal hygiene that could help combat taboos.

“It’s quite incredible: we celebrate birth, yet have a very hard time talking about menstruation and this year’s Hygiene Matters consumer survey confirms that fact again”

“This year’s Hygiene Matters survey results show that SCA’s work is relevant and there is still a lot to do for women’s access to hygiene products and solutions, and explaining the close link between hygiene and health. About 80 percent of SCA’s consumers are women. From a global perspective a majority of women and girls in the world still do not have access to personal care products such as menstrual hygiene protection,” explains Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Senior Vice President, Group Function Communications, SCA.

“Furthermore many women and men don’t have access to incontinence care products. This does not only hold women back to be able to participate fully in society socially, educationally and professionally, it can also affect women’s health negatively in ways that are easily preventable. There is a clear connection with poor hygiene standards in public restrooms in for example work places, schools, hospitals, restaurants and airports and the spreading of germs and disease, resulting in high costs for private individuals, employers and society overall. As a leading global hygiene company, SCA can play an important role within this context both from a hygiene and health education perspective,” says Edwall-Björklund.

“Women’s possibilities to develop and live their lives to the fullest, are often dependent on access to, and information about, good hygiene. This is clearly expressed in SCA’s sustainability ambitions and is also a key dimension of our business strategy. The survey clearly reveals that female consumers believe that there is room for improvement in many areas related to hygiene and health in both mature and emerging markets. For SCA, this is much more than a business opportunity. This way of thinking is deeply ingrained in our corporate culture,” comments Kersti Strandqvist, Senior Vice President, Group Function Sustainability, SCA.

The results in this year’s Hygiene Matters survey show that it is clear that women continue to play a crucial role as change agents. Especially in the developing world when they are placed at the center of decisions about water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion programs and activities.

“As a company whose products such as TENA, Tork, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda, touch many people during different phases in life, SCA has a history of solid community engagement. Although our business today is global our perspective is local, embracing small-scale collaborations around the world. SCA’s support is often sought after for our thought leadership, knowledge, insight, and innovation in health and hygiene matters. These initiatives can include anything from conducting training programs to breaking taboos to distributing sanitary pads in refugee camps. In fact, locally supported community involvement is a part of our business strategy,” says Edwall-Björklund.

“SCA supports a large number of educational initiatives for girls regarding menstruation and physical development in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Malaysia, Russia and other markets. Colombia was the first market to start in 1990 and since then about 2 million girls have participated. These initiatives are linked to SCA’s brands Libresse, Saba, Nosotras and Donnasept,” says Strandqvist. “Our goal is not to take over the role of civil society, but to contribute in fields where we have our core competence and interests. This creates a foundation for long-term efforts and real, measurable effects.”

“How SCA is participating with the female Team SCA in the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race, is yet another way of promoting the message of women’s possibilities to fully take part in society. This offshore marathon is one of the sporting world’s most challenging events. By making it possible for our female Team SCA to participate with the same backup as men, we hope to contribute to breaking the glass ceiling in yet another area of society,” Edwall-Björklund concludes.

“It’s quite incredible: we celebrate birth, yet have a very hard time talking about menstruation and this year’s Hygiene Matters consumer survey confirms that fact again,” says Dr. Christopher Williams, Executive Director of the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council, the only United Nations body devoted solely to improving sanitation and hygiene in developing countries. “This taboo is radically harmful to women, especially young girls, in developing countries. They miss from one to four days of school per month, suffer discomfort in seclusion, face unnecessary health risks, and feel ashamed about disposing pads, if they even have them. We must work together to ensure that women and girls around the world are able to manage menstruation inside and outside the home with dignity, and we support efforts to gather an evidence base for decision makers.”

The Hygiene Matters Consumer Survey

SCA took the initiative to the first Hygiene Matters survey in 2008 to channel the voice of the consumer. The results in the four surveys to date contain valuable information on a global and local level that can contribute to a more knowledge-based public dialogue with the aim to improve hygiene standards globally. Improved public and individual hygiene standards will have positive effects on people’s health, while creating value by lowering costs on both a personal and societal level.

The answers in the 2014 survey show that SCA’s continued initiatives to educate and facilitate solutions for improved hygiene are important. There is still room for improvement on access to hygiene products and solutions, as well as to knowledge explaining the close link between hygiene and health.

In 2014, the three main focus areas of the survey were:

• Hygiene in public places and concerns about becoming ill due to poor hygiene
• The menstruation taboo
• Hygiene is important and the internet is a growing information source regarding hygiene and health

The main findings of the survey were:

• Both men and women believe good hygiene standards are important and worry about becoming ill from poor hygiene in public places
• Individuals to take greater responsibility
• Governments and employers to improve hygiene standards
• Women extra effected during menstruation due to taboos and lack of hygiene products
• Internet growing as information source

Here SCA plays an important role with its personal hygiene products, services, as well as education.

The survey was carried out during May 2014, commissioned by SCA and conducted by the business intelligence firm United Minds and the research company Cint. The survey was conducted in 13 countries: Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, The Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States. The countries added from the 2011 report were: Brazil, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Omitted from the 2014 report was Australia.

Responses were compiled through a web-based survey, and a total of 13,492 respondents. Approximately 500 women and 500 men were surveyed on each market. National quotas have been used to obtain accurate age representation.

The survey results mentioned is this press release are mainly from a global perspective. More country specific results for Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, The Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States will be communicated by SCA locally.

Hygiene Matters 2014 Consumer Study Presentation, Infographic and Film (http://www.sca.com/en/Media/Publications/Hygiene-Matters/)

SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company. The Group develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and regional brands, such as Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda. As Europe’s largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management. The Group has about 44,000 employees. Sales in 2013 amounted to approximately SEK 93bn (EUR 10.7bn). SCA was founded in 1929, has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. For more information, visit www.sca.com.

SCA
Elisabeth Lennhede
Press contact
+46 70 444 22 71
or
Marita Sander
Communications Director Sustainability
+46 70 547 53 34
or
Joséphine Edwall-Björklund
SVP, Group Function Communications
+46 70 519 16 98

InPort Race kicks off the Volvo Ocean Race, October 4

SCA is continuing its journey as a leading global hygiene and forest products company to boost awareness of the Group as the company behind strong customer and consumer brands such as TENA, Tork, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda. Team SCA in the Volvo Ocean Race plays a great role in this journey.

Team SCA, the first female team in over a decade, will start its participation in the Volvo Ocean Race with the first InPort Race on October 4 in Alicante, Spain. Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and SCA’s President and CEO Jan Johansson will join the Team on board. As of today SCA will also be opening its Pavilion to further increase awareness of SCA and meet with consumers, customers and other key stakeholders.

“Many consumers today want to know the company behind the products and brands that they buy and use. This race is a unique global platform to increase awareness of SCA and to connect SCA to its customer and consumer brands, such as TENA, Tork, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda” says Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Senior Vice President Group Function Communication, SCA.

Several Team SCA activities will form part of the Pavilion experience including:

Amazing Women Everywhere Starting today, SCA launches a global storytelling mosaic to celebrate amazing women. The mosaic will include images and stories of inspiring women from across the globe. For every image/story uploaded to the mosaic, SCA will make a donation to WWF. Visit www.teamsca.com/awemosaic

“No Ordinary Women” is a unique four-episode television series about Team SCA as they prepare to take on the tough nine-month, round-the-world offshore marathon, the Volvo Ocean Race. The series, which will be broadcasted in more than 30 countries, is produced by the television production company Strix Television. Watch the trailer

InPort Race – The InPort Race is a short race held at each stopover as close as possible to land so that the public can watch the battle between the Volvo Ocean 65s. During the InPort Races, the teams are allowed to have guests join them on board. For Saturday’s race in Alicante, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden will join the team onboard.

SCA Pavilion – SCA’s Pavilion is located in the Volvo Ocean Race village. The Pavilion, which will follow the race around the world, is approximately 580 square meters and consists of a triangular, two-storey structure. The exterior design has a strong link to the design of the boat, while the interior allows visitors to explore SCA – as a leading global hygiene and forest products company – its customer and consumer brands, story and values. Guests will also have the opportunity to get to know the amazing women of Team SCA through a number of interactive features. 
 
Team SCA App – There are several ways to follow Team SCA on this nine-month journey around the world. The Team SCA App provides the latest news and images from the Race. It also contains information about SCA as well as other exciting features. The App is available through the App Store. You can also follow the team at www.teamsca.com and via our social media channels.

For further information, please contact:
Karl Stoltz, Media Relations Manager, +46 8 788 51 55
Elisabeth Lennhede, Communications specialist, +46 8 788 51 98

SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company. The Group develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and regional brands, such as Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda. As Europe’s largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management. The Group has about 44,000 employees. Sales in 2013 amounted to approximately SEK 93bn (EUR 10.7bn). SCA was founded in 1929, has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. For more information, visit www.sca.com.

SCA’s, a leading global hygiene and forest products company, and the majority shareholder in China’s third-largest tissue company, Vinda International Holdings Limited (“Vinda”), agreement with Vinda to transfer its hygiene business in China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau) has today been approved by the independent shareholders of Vinda.

Vinda is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the agreement which strengthens the cooperation between SCA and Vinda (announced July 18, 2014) was subject to approval by the independent shareholders of Vinda.

The transaction is expected to close on October 1, 2014. As of the closing date, Vinda will have the exclusive license to market and sell the SCA brands; TENA, (incontinence products) Tork (Away from Home tissue), Tempo (consumer tissue), Libero (baby diapers), and Libresse (feminine care) in China (Mainland China,Hong Kong and Macau). In these markets, Vinda will hold the rights to these brands and acquire SCA’s Dr P and Sealer brands, while SCA will continue to provide innovation and technical support for the business.

- The approved cooperation and transaction will generate mutual benefits for both SCA and Vinda particularly in distribution, sales, innovation and R&D. Vinda will get access to a broader product portfolio and SCA’s brands will have the potential to reach a broader base of consumers and customers via the extensive and robust distribution network of Vinda in China, says Jan Johansson, President and CEO of SCA.

SCA has been a shareholder in Vinda since 2007, became its majority shareholder in late 2013, and has consolidated Vinda financials since the first quarter of 2014.

SCA’s hygiene business in China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau) had net sales of approximately SEK 600m in 2013. The purchase consideration amounts to HKD 1,144m (approx. SEK 1,000m) on a debt-free basis.

For additional information please contact:
Johan Karlsson, VP Investor Relations, 46 8 788 51 30
Boo Ehlin, VP Media Relations, 46 8 788 51 36

SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company. The Group develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and regional brands, such as Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo and Vinda. As Europe’s largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management. The Group has about 44,000 employees. Sales in 2013 amounted to approximately SEK 93bn (EUR 10.7bn). SCA was founded in 1929, has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. For more information, visit www.sca.com.

SCA is honored to announce that Crown Princess Victoria is Godmother of the Team SCA crew and boat. The Crown Princess met with the all-female Team SCA in person recently at SCA’s headquarters in the Waterfront Building in Stockholm, discussing driving factors, challenges and possibilities for an all-female team in an around the world yacht race. 

“We are delighted and honored that Crown Princess Victoria is the Godmother of our all-female Team SCA. Like the Crown Princess Victoria, who is a true ambassador for many good causes and an inspiration for many people around the world, we want our all-female team to motivate and inspire others to pursue their dreams and goals. We greatly appreciate the Crown Princess’ support,” says Jan Johansson, President and CEO, SCA. “As 80 percent of SCA’s consumers are women, and we want to enable women to perform in an arena that has normally been reserved for men, we chose an all-female team for our participation in the Volvo Ocean Race.”

SCA is working to ensure that women all over the world have the same opportunities as men to fully take part in society – socially, educationally, and professionally. In some countries, for example, access to feminine care products decides whether or not girls can go to school or women can go to work. SCA’s hygiene solutions are valuable enablers in reaching women’s needs globally.

The start of the Volvo Ocean Race is in Alicante in October, and Team SCA’s progress in the race can be followed on www.teamsca.com.

You can already now watch Team SCA’s preparations for the Volvo Ocean Race in the four episode TV-series “No Ordinary Women” that runs on premier networks in about 30 markets globally throughout 2014 and into 2015. The series debuted July 20 on 7TWO in Australia and YLE in Finland and has been produced by STRIX Television. The series will be shown shortly on TV3 in Sweden.

SCA, a leading global hygiene and forest products company, and the majority shareholder in China’s third-largest tissue company, Vinda International Holdings Limited (“Vinda”) is strengthening the cooperation with Vinda. SCA to transfer its hygiene business in China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau) to Vinda.

As part of the transaction, SCA and Vinda have signed an agreement regarding the exclusive license to market and sell the SCA brands; TENA, (incontinence products) Tork (Away from Home tissue), Tempo (consumer tissue), Libero (baby diapers), and Libresse (feminine care) in China (Mainland China,Hong Kong and Macau). With this agreement, Vinda will hold the rights to these product brands in these Chinese markets. Vinda will acquire SCA’s Dr P and Sealer brands in China.

“With its immense number of inhabitants, ageing population and low penetration of hygiene products, China is an attractive and important market with significant potential for future growth. This new cooperation and transaction will generate mutual benefits for both SCA and Vinda particularly in distribution, sales, innovation and R&D. Vinda will get access to a broader product portfolio and SCA’s brands will have the potential to reach a broader base of consumers and customers via the extensive and robust distribution network of Vinda in China,” says Jan Johansson, President and CEO of SCA.

SCA has been a shareholder in Vinda since 2007, became its majority shareholder in late 2013, and has consolidated Vinda financials since the first quarter of 2014.

SCA’s hygiene business in China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau) had net sales of approximately SEK 600m in 2013. The purchase consideration amounts to HKD 1,144m (approx. SEK 1,000m) on a debt-free basis.

The agreement is subject to approval by the independent shareholders of Vinda. Vinda is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

SCA, a leading global hygiene and forest products company, will as of July 1 2014 be endorsing its already strong portfolio of customer and consumer brands globally with the corporate SCA brand.

Following the introduction of the stronger and more distinct corporate SCA logo in March 2013, SCA is now responding to the ever-growing consumer demand of knowing where and how products are made by positioning the SCA corporate brand together with the customer and consumer brands across all categories, brands and markets globally.

“SCA is a company with a unique heritage, a range of strong customer and consumer brands that make a difference for millions of people around the world and an award-winning sustainability profile and focus going forward. By taking a prominent and visible position alongside the company’s customer and consumer brands in all its print ads and TV commercials, SCA aims to further strengthen the awareness and perception of SCA as a leading global hygiene and forest products company and as a solid, and trustworthy brand”, says Jan Johansson, President and CEO, SCA.

“Our ambition is to increase the awareness and perception of SCA. By connecting SCA and its customer and consumer brands, the information to our stakeholders gets even more transparent. An important platform to build the SCA brand is Team SCA’s participation in the Volvo Ocean Race with an all-female crew. This strengthens the perception of SCA and our brands, such as TENA, Tork, Lotus, Libresse, Tempo and Libero even further,” says Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Senior Vice President, Group Function Communications.

SCA, a leading global hygiene and forest products company, participates also this year with two boats in the ÅF Offshore Race. The crew consists of 14 SCA employees from nine different countries, and the participation is part of the build up to this fall’s start of the Volvo Ocean Race, where SCA competes with Team SCA and an all-female crew.

Following last year's participation in the ÅF Offshore Race the interest among SCA’s employees remained strong to once again take the opportunity to compete in this classic ocean race around the Swedish island of Gotland. A large number of employees took advantage of the invitation to be part of the crew.14 participants have now been selected to represent the company. The 14 employees will compete with the boats "SCA Nature" with a male crew and "SCA People" with a female crew. They will compete in ORCi.

The selection criteria were set to create a crew with the highest possible diversity of nationalities and with global business unit representation, while the participants should have good sailing experience to ensure the highest safety on board and a good racing spirit in the team. The main race starts in down town Stockholm on Sunday June 29, sailing non-stop through the archipelago past the island of Sandhamn, out on to the open seas around the island of Gotland and heading for the finish at Sandhamn about 2-3 days later. And the participants are:

1. Didac Banus Brunet, Spain
2. Karin Stübner, Sweden
3. Yannick Poisson, France
4. Sofia Lind, Sweden
5. Tamas Ovad, Hungary
6. Anne Sporre Thorburn, Sweden
7. Marcin Kurek, Russia
8. Andrea Steffens, Germany
9. Mats Persson, Sweden
10. Ottilia von Chrismar, Germany
11. Evaggelos Kokkinos, Germany
12. Melba Maldonado Riveroll, Mexico
13. Wesley Chiu, China
14. Brian Grahovac, USA

SCA, the leading global hygiene and forest products company, successfully floated its joint venture, Asaleo Care, in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Trading in the shares will commence on July 3.

In early June, SCA and its Australian partner, Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), announced that an IPO was planned for the joint venture Asaleo Care. The offering has been successful and from July 3 the Asaleo Care share will be traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

After the IPO, SCA’s holding in Asaleo Care will amount to approximately 32.5%.

Asaleo Care manufactures and markets consumer tissue and Away-from-Home (AfH) tissue, diapers, feminine care products and incontinence care products. Leading brands include TENA, Tork, Sorbent, Libra and Treasures. In 2013, the company reported net sales of AUD 625m (approx. SEK 3.9bn) and operating profit of AUD 97m (approx. SEK 610m). The company has about 1,050 full-time employees.

TENA and Tork are SCA’s leading global brands for incontinence products and AFH tissue, respectively. These two brands will continue to be owned by SCA but will be licensed to Asaleo Care for sales of products under these brands in Australasian markets. 

NB: SCA discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Financial Instruments Trading Act. Submitted for publication on June 30, 2014, at 07:00 CET.

The leading global hygiene and forest products company SCA and its Australian partner, Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), have decided to float their joint venture in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

A draft of the prospectus for the initial public offering (IPO) was today submitted to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). The listing of the joint venture Asaleo Care (formerly SCA Hygiene Australasia) on the ASX is scheduled to take place in late June or early July 2014.

SCA intends to retain a significant shareholding in Asaleo Care. The Group currently owns 50% of the company. The stock market floatation will dilute SCA’s holding in the company. SCA’s ownership is expected to be approximately 33% following the IPO.

Asaleo Care manufactures and markets consumer tissue and Away-from-Home (AfH) tissue, diapers, feminine care products and incontinence products. Leading brands include TENA, Tork, Sorbent, Libra and Treasures. In 2013, the company reported net sales of AUD 625m (approx. SEK 3.9 billion) and an operating profit of AUD 97m (approx. SEK 610m). The company has about 1,050 full-time employees.