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Metsä Group collaborates with Andritz on textile fiber mill pre-study
Metsä Group has entered into an extensive cooperation with international technology group Andritz to conduct a pre-study for the first possible commercial mill producing the Kuura textile fiber. This new type of textile fiber, developed by Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring, is made from Finnish wood. The primary objectives of this collaboration are to develop a pulp pre-treatment method, smart ways to integrate textile fiber production into the various departments of a bioproduct mill, and automation for Kuura production.
Metsä Group and Andritz to construct a demo plant for developing new lignin products
Metsä Group will construct a demo plant for lignin refining in connection with its Äänekoski bioproduct mill. The equipment will be supplied by technology group Andritz. Construction will begin in summer 2024, and the demo plant will be completed in late 2025. The plant’s daily capacity will be two tonnes of the lignin product.
Cepi Update
EU hails biotech & biomanufacturing as ‘most promising tech area of the century’ as sector’s innovation leaders meet in Brussels
The European Commission has released a communication on ‘Boosting biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU’. The publication was a positive sign for the members of the Circular Choices coalition, a group of 20 EU trade associations representing providers of renewable products and energy solutions – wood, fibre-based, paper, products and packaging, bioenergy industries – supported by EU forest owners and managers.
New Andritz line successfully produces first fibers for Pavatex, France
International technology group Andritz has delivered a second fiber production line to Pavatex, a member of Soprema Group. The line, which includes a chip handling and pressurized refining system, has now successfully produced first fibers at the insulation board production facility in Golbey, France.
Södra Wood is changing its industrial structure to further strengthen competitiveness
To maintain its strong position and develop an even more competitive industrial structure over time, Södra Wood is consolidating its sawn timber operations.?The aim is to achieve economies of scale by relocating production volumes to Södra Wood’s larger production units.
Progress in sustainable packaging: Voith and the 4evergreen alliance drive innovative projects forward
Full-line supplier Voith is intensifying its commitment to the 4evergreen alliance with a number of pioneering projects. Among other things, the focus is on innovative processes for dissolving barrier papers on an industrial scale. The alliance consists of over 110 members representing the entire life cycle of fiber-based packaging – from forest owners to producers, designers, brand owners and recyclers. Together, they share their expertise to develop tools and guidelines for an even more sustainable sector. As a member of the “Novel Recycling Technologies” Working Group within 4evergreen’s Innovation Workstream, Voith is instrumental in developing new solutions. Members from other workstreams also draw on Voith's expertise in stock preparation and recycling concepts.
4evergreen announces new Chair and Co-Chair
4evergreen, Europe’s value chain alliance of over 110 members building a toolbox to propel fibre-based packaging towards a 90% recycling rate by 2030, appoints a new Chair and Co-Chair to lead the alliance. Chair Sarah Price, Director of Sustainability at Sappi and Co-Chair Andreas Walser, Managing Director at Hamburger Recycling , Member of Prinzhorn Group, will help drive the alliance’s strategy towards perfecting fibre-based packaging circularity from the design and manufacture phase to the collection, sorting and recycling of packaging materials.
Major success for Södra’s birch seed cultivation
After several years of intensive work to produce high-quality birch seeds, Södra has now harvested a large amount of birch seeds in its greenhouse orchard in Falkenberg. The seeds will be used to breed improved birch seedlings with favourable traits, which will promote the growth and diversity of family forestry. Access to selectively bred birch seeds for cultivating seedlings with favourable traits, such as high growth, straight stems and tightly knotted wood, has long been limited. At the same time, demand among forest owners for birch seedlings has been considerably higher than Södra’s ability to produce and deliver.
Södra and Lenzing receive international cooperation award
On November 6, 2023, Södra and its collaboration partner Lenzing Group received the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) Award 2023 in the category "International Cooperation" for their joint achievements in textile recycling and circular economy.
Gutex produces first fibers for insulation board with new Andritz fiber preparation system
Wood fiber insulation board manufacturer Gutex has successfully produced first fibers with its new Andritz fiber preparation system in Eschbach, Germany. This is the second system Andritz has delivered to Gutex. Oliver Bauch, Plant Manager, Gutex, says: “The new line will perfectly support the environmentally friendly production approach for our ecological insulation board products. Thanks to the excellent cooperation and the great effort of the whole Andritz team we were able to produce first fibers even ahead of schedule.”
