Holmen Group has posted profits after tax of SKr501m for the first half of 2009, up from SKr395m a year ago.
The favourable result was largely down to increased prices in newsprint and paperboard; the sawn timber division recorded an operating loss of SKr11m.
The timber business was affected by lower prices during the period but benefited from lower wood raw material costs.
In the second quarter, Holmen Timber had a SKr5m operating profit and noticed some positive impact from high prices, as well as lower maintenance costs. This represented the first time Holmen Timber had posted a profit since the first quarter of 2008.
Holmen’s Iggesund sawmill manufactures pine products for the joinery and furniture industry.
