The papermaking strategy has strong influence on the material properties of produced paper material. Traditionally, a process-oriented approach is used in the paper industry when trying to improve the performance of paper materials, i.e. the raw materials and the available unit processes (refining, chemical additives, forming, pressing, drying, etc.) are taken as the starting point for improving paper properties. However, an adjustment of one process parameter commonly results in improvement of some paper properties while other paper properties deteriorate.
The challenge of the Paper Mechanics cluster is to introduce a mechanism-oriented approach for improving paper properties. In such approach, the starting point for improving paper properties is to identify the underlying mechanisms for different types of material behaviours, i.e. to pinpoint the micro-mechanical properties or events that have strong impact on a selected material behaviour. Such knowledge will largely facilitate the definition of controlled papermaking strategies for improving and increasing the uniformity of selected paper properties, without compromising other important paper properties. This approach, besides constituting a straightforward and systematic way towards increasing the detailed knowledge of the mechanics of paper materials, also paves the way for breaking traditional deadlocked relations between important paper properties.
Robust and accurate material test methods and multi-disciplinary research are two important foundation stones for the Paper Mechanics cluster research.

Improved runnability in converting operations and increased end-use performance of paper materials.

Manufacturers of pulp, paper and board, suppliers to the paper industry (machinery, chemicals, test equipment), converters (packaging, printing, etc.), and end-users.