The challenge in the Future Papyrus cluster is to develop strategies to reduce fibre raw material and energy consumption. A 1% savings in wood-fibre raw material generally gives a 1% savings in energy consumption. In addition, these savings also makes available wood-fibre material for other uses such as bio-fuels. Coupled to this there is a strong incentive for improving properties of lower valued products for selling at higher value markets.

 

One possible route is to make better use of the fibre raw material by optimising the sheet structure towards its end use. The possibility to differentiate fibre raw material content, filler distribution and additives throughout the sheets thickness can influence surface sheet properties and runnability in the paper machine as well as in the printing press. 

 

Using the “right fibre in the right place” can make it possible to produce a sheet with maintained quality from a smaller amount of fibres.  This strategy is evaluated and further developed in the cluster using fractionation and an advanced technique of stratification including advanced dosage of filler and additives.

 

 

Another route to take is increased filler content. This would reduce fibre and energy consumption but also has the possibility to improve product quality and ensure competiveness. Some of the challenges are to be able to increase the filler content with out impairing the strength properties and receiving a good retention with out impairing the formation. One strategy to increase filler, that is evaluated in the cluster, is to pre flocculate filler.

Industrial values

Industrial users

Product grades where one ore more surfaces will be printed, such as fine paper and board top plies are the main focus in the cluster. Industrial users of the results from the Future Papyrus cluster are thus producer of these grades as well as suppliers of fillers and chemicals.