In 2011 CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industry) collectively concluded that the European paper industry needs to change its course and head for the future (2050 Roadmap). In order to develop sustainable changes throughout the entire pulp & paper chain, the Two Team Project (TTP) was initiated. The project aims to kick-start open innovation on sector level investigating new game-changing technologies. Focussing on the way the paper industry operates and targeting costs reduction, adding value, lower energy consumption and ambitious decrease of carbon emissions.
FEYECON CONTRIBUTES TO CEPI’S TWO TEAM PROJECT WITH KNOW-HOW AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGY
With our concepts pulp and paper is proposed to be dried without the need for heat or steam – reducing energy and water consumption. More importantly, contaminants like waxes, adhesives and mineral oils can be removed, which is considered one of the key issues these days. FeyeCon’s concepts also propose the separation of pulp into different fibre grades. Enabling purchasers to buy only the exact type of fibre they need (fibre on demand), including recycled fibre which is free from contaminants. This opens up possibilities for greater production from the available fibre in Europe.
As mentioned in TTP’s final report, “if applied throughout the sector by 2050, FeyeCon’s CO₂ technology has the potential to reduce fossil CO₂ emissions by 45% compared to the 2011 baseline and result in around 20% primary energy savings within the current mill boundaries”. This is due to the fact that existing ‘waste’-CO₂ is used. We put its unique properties to use in a closed loop system, thereby recycling and re-using it, not producing it.
Now that the Two Team Project has come to an end and the breakthrough technologies for the 2050 world have been determined, the European Union and the paper industry need to cooperate and enable research, pilot demonstration and investments. FeyeCon is very happy to stand at the beginning of these positive and ground breaking changes in the paper industry.