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Development of an environmentally friendly process for obtaining reinforcing fibers for recovered paper based packaging papers (FNEWs)

Project


Project code: 2220NR013
Contract period: 01.05.2020 - 30.04.2023
Budget: 2,797,542 Euro
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
Keywords: forest protection, forest damage coverage, monitoring, forcasting, digitalization

The decline in consumption and production of graphic papers has resulted in a sharp decline in the input of high-quality fiber material into recovered paper recycling. As a result, a significant scarcity and increase in the cost of recovered paper has occurred. Additionally, the quality of recovered paper has deteriorated progressively. To counter this trend, many paper manufacturers considerd to add virgin fibers to the recovered paper. A promising option is to produce the reinforcing fibers directly in the paper mill by using straw as feedstock. This requires a simple process technology that can be realized with minimal investment but delivers high pulp yields. In the project, a promising process based on sodium carbonate is adapted and optimized for this purpose. Subsequently, application tests in mixtures with recovered paper pulp are to be carried out in a laboratory and pilot scale. As an alternative to carbonate cooking, a steam refining procedure should be tested. The two methods as well as their combination are to be optimized in the research project and compared in detail. Essential criteria are the raw material efficiency, investment costs, chemical and energy requirements, waste liquor utilization and chemical recovery as well as strength properties or suitability of the produced pulp as a reinforcing agent for recovered paper based packaging papers. An ecological consideration of both methods as well as a comparison to market softwood pulp should be included.

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