Developing a new paper quality for high-quality book printing that does not compromise on the environmental compatibility of the product: that was the aim of Lessebo Paper's partnership with global player Bonnier Books based in Copenhagen and the Latvian printer Livonia Print. A first result of the collaboration is the launch of Livonia Zero Offset by Lessebo Paper, a paper quality that is produced with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. All in all, the production of pulp and paper for this quality releases only 25 kg of CO₂ per tonne of finished paper, which is well below the European average. In addition, all CO₂ emissions from the pulp and paper production process are offset by a Gold Standard project.

Livonia Zero Offset by Lessebo Paper is a white, uncoated paper quality that is available as standard in grammages from 100 gsm to 140 gsm. The paper is Cradle to Cradle Certified^® at gold level and FSC^®-certified and, with its high opacity and rough surface, offers an optimal and haptic reading experience. The bulk of the paper has been specifically designed to give books a comfortable feel as well as weight. In addition, Livonia Zero Offset by Lessebo Paper has been developed for high-speed printing presses and is available in both rolls and sheets. The paper is made in Sweden and contains locally sourced raw materials.

“We know that industry must lead the way towards a climate-conscious society. By partnering with Livonia Print and Bonnier Books, we are taking action together to make the future of printed books even greener,” explains Jens Olson, CEO of Lessebo Paper.

Markus Guldstrand, Production Director at Bonnier Books, said: “At Bonnier Books we are committed to running a sustainable business that will continue to lead the way in publishing for years to come. The collaboration with Lessebo Paper and Livonia Print, which resulted in this paper, is a good example of this commitment. We look forward to using this fantastic book paper, which is an important step towards achieving our sustainability goals. And we remain committed to actively shaping a sustainable future for and together with our industry.”

Eva Hansén, Head of Production at Bonnierförlagen, concludes: “We will be using this paper in many of our books. And while it's a significant step forward, we continue to work tirelessly to reduce our impact on the climate in a variety of ways. By collaborating with industry leaders in our supply chain and the publishing industry, Bonnierförlagen wants to set an example and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices as well.”

Lessebo Paper is one of Sweden's oldest paper manufacturers and has been actively working towards sustainable production in recent years. Today, the grades are among the most environmentally friendly paper products on the market, both in terms of raw material sourcing and minimizing CO₂ emissions. For example, the company uses green electricity and uses water responsibly. These efforts have already paid off: in 2021, Lessebo Paper received the Cradle to Cradle Certificate® at gold level for its white paper grades. This makes the company the first paper manufacturer in the world to receive a gold certificate.