It is an urgent matter in the pulp and paper industry world-wide to make efficient use of available resources such as fibres and energy. In many parts of the world, the availability of traditional papermaking fibres is scarce, while the standard of living and the demand for hygiene products is rising rapidly. This will require the efficient use of the available fibre for a certain product. Furthermore, energy becomes scarce and there will be a need to develop production processes that reduce the over-all energy consumption.

Both virgin fibres and recycled fibres are used in tissue products. New pulp types, originating mainly from Asia and South America, have been introduced on the market from wood species that are not used traditionally in the industry. Eucalyptus is supplied in large quantities from plantations in South America, and recently acacia from Asia has been used with some success in tissue products. Information on the processability, for example the dewatering properties of these pulp types, is scarce. This makes the introduction of this type of fibres in existing production process difficult.

Furthermore, the tissue market in the Western World is close to saturation and the competition among producers and retailers is strong. Among branded products, softness is a key property. For many products, absorption is another important quality parameter. In Europe the focus has been put also on products that are not branded, so called private label products, sold by low-price, large retailer chains. This development has put a strong pressure on prices and production costs and the target is to obtain the same key properties with less fibres or alternative production processes.

The overall objective of the activities in this cluster is to take steps forward in order to improve the competitiveness of the products and processes of the participating companies.

Objectives