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Valmet DNA Automation technology to the world’s largest data center excess heat recovery project in Finland
Valmet will supply its Valmet DNA Automation technology to the data center heat recovery concept developed by Fortum and Microsoft. The project is one of a kind: there is no data center heat recovery concept of a similar scale anywhere else in the world. Valmet DNA will control water-to-water heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps and two electric boilers at two Fortum Power and Heat Oy’s heat pump plants which will be built in Espoo and Kirkkonummi, Finland.
Cepi Update
The Council presents its to-do list for Europe’s competitiveness, making bioeconomy a priority for the next Commission
In its last meeting before the EU elections, the European Competitiveness Council presented today what could be considered as its guidelines for the upcoming Commission on how to keep Europe from an industrial decline. The plan entails supporting industries which have already taken the path of increased circularity, embraced the bioeconomy, and decoupled growth from resource use, such as the pulp and paper industry.
UPM Raflatac unveils Carbon Action portfolio
According to the UN, today only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track. In September 2023, UPM joined the UN Global Compact Forward Faster initiative to accelerate this pace. To demonstrate its commitment to the Climate Action initiative and help its customers reduce the carbon footprint of their packaging materials and drive action, UPM Raflatac is proud to announce the launch of its Carbon Action Plastic Labels portfolio.
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.
UPM Raflatac highlights progressive sustainability milestones in 2023 Climate Review
UPM Raflatac has published its 2023 Climate Review, highlighting the significant strides it has taken towards becoming the first label materials company to go beyond fossils. This ambition underscores UPM Raflatac's dedication to sustainability through three key focus areas: enhancing the sustainability of forests and lands, reducing emissions, and continued innovation through its products and service offering.
Study shows benefits of recycling paper sacks
The 4evergreen alliance sets out to increase the recycling rate of fibre-based packaging to 90% by 20301. Accessing industrial packaging such as paper sacks as new fibre source can be part of the solution. The European sack kraft paper and paper sack industry commissioned independent research in the recyclability of paper sacks. The study2 concludes that not only are used and unused paper sacks perfectly recyclable. They also offer product and process benefits when incorporated into the recovered fibre furnish. A white paper presents the outcome in detail.
Valmet to deliver a DNA Automation System to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant in Northwich, UK
Valmet will deliver a comprehensive Valmet DNA Automation System to Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant (LSEP) currently under construction in Northwich, Cheshire, the United Kingdom. The order was placed by LSEP and Valmet will work closely with their delivery partners, Black & Veatch, an engineering, procurement and construction management contractor, and Babcock & Wilcox, a powertrain technology provider.
Södra deploys battery-electric woodchip truck in production
Södra has decided to invest in a battery-electric long-haul truck in its daily logistics chain for transporting woodchips. Using self-produced, fossil-free electricity to charge the woodchip truck, the environmental footprint from these transport operations will be dramatically reduced. The electric woodchip truck is supplied by Scania and represents a milestone in Södra’s long-term goal of transitioning to fossil-free transportation.
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.
Södra to invest in green electricity generation at Mörrum
Södra has decided to invest in a new condensing turbine in the pulp mill at Mörrum, which will increase the county of Blekinge’s electricity generation by 20 percent. The investment, amounting to several hundreds of millions of Swedish kronor, is a major and important step for Södra in strengthening competitiveness by utilising more of the wood raw material from family forestry and thereby increasing the profitability of forest estates.
Closing the loop with paper carrier bags
Less raw material, less waste, fewer emissions – the circular economy is at the top of the agenda. Choosing fibre-based packaging such as paper carrier bags is one piece of the puzzle that retailers and brand owners can complete to take the next step in contributing to the bio-based circular economy. Paper carrier bags are a welcome resource in the paper recycling mix. A member of the initiative “The Paper Bag” explains how paper carrier bags are recycled into new fibre-based products. An infographic shows the cycle of paper carrier bags.
