Södra's net sales 2011 were 18,191 million Kronor, down from 19,727 million the year before, primarily as a consequence of the economic downturn and weak markets over the second six months of the year, in combination with a strengthening of the Swedish krona.Return on capital employed fell to nine percent, compared with 23 percent in 2010.For Södra Cell, the net sales in 2011 were 9,888 million Kronor (11,310). The operating result was 1,273 million Kronor (2,224).“The year got off to a relatively strong start. The world market price of pulp smashed the thousand Dollar barrier in the spring,” said Leif Brodén, CEO of Södra. “But we saw a sharp slowdown, when the effects of the financial anxiety became perceptible.”“Viewed over the year as a whole, therefore, justifying the long-term return requirement became a challenge,” Brodén said.