ABB’ latest series of Real Progress white papers sets out to highlight innovation and to explore strategies to enable specific industries to reduce their carbon emissions, to become more resource efficient, and to showcase best practices being adopted by influential industry leaders. Recognising the significant progress that has already been made, the papers shine a light on customers’ impacts on the value chain and how they are enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future through technology leadership, electrification and automation.
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The pulp and paper industry has a pivotal role to play in the move away from plastic and nonrecyclable materials. Image ABB
The first pulp and paper related study, entitled ‘Innovating for tomorrow: How the pulp and paper industry will be turning the page for a sustainable future’, examines the industry's crucial role in building a more sustainable world. This will be followed by a further two related papers to be released soon.
This inaugural paper features in-depth interviews and contributions from global industry leaders in businesses, including: Metsä Group, Metsäteollisuus, Modellfabrik Papier, Sappi, Smurfit Westrock, Södra and UPM China. These organisations have shared their specific initiatives that are reshaping the industry's approach to sustainability, such as Sappi’s Recyclable Sappi Seal, a replacement for plastic laminates used in food packaging such as sachets; Smurfit Westrock's, TopClip, a paper-based solution to replace shrink film; and Södra's production of renewable textile fibres from recycled clothing and materials.
As the world grapples with the issues of climate change, resource scarcity and the overproduction and overconsumption of plastic, the pulp and paper industry is increasingly recognised as a key player in the global transition to a circular economy and net-zero future. Innovations across the pulp and paper value chain are proving instrumental as alternatives to fossil-fuel-based products and solutions for industrial decarbonisation.
“The pulp and paper industry is uniquely positioned to lead the way in sustainable industrial transformation,” says Stefano Cinquina, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp and Paper, ABB Process Industries. “With this series of industry papers, we’re not only celebrating the significant strides of our cus-tomers and partners but also aiming to inspire others by showcasing the progress and real-world solutions driving us toward a sustainable future.”
Highlights from global industry leaders
Tracy Wessels, Group Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations at Sappi says: “We have integrated sustainability into all parts of our business – it’s part of our value proposition. Sustainable packaging is not only a huge opportunity for us as a business – as consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental concerns of using plastic – but we know we can create products that will benefit the world. “Plastic is extensively used as the primary barrier in food packaging. We are innovating through our value chains, and with our customers and research institutes as to how we can develop paper-based solutions that offer the same barrier technology or protection.”
Some of these sustainable initiatives from Sappi include:
- Recyclable Sappi Seal, a flexible packaging solution with sealing properties designed to replace hot seal plastic laminates used in food packaging such as sachets.
- Solvent-free lidding for food packaging.
- Bagasse-based compostable thermo-moulded food grade bowls and plates.
Jurgita Girzadiene, Sustainability and Better Planet Packaging Director at Smurfit Westrock, the world’s largest paper and packaging company, shared her perspective on why collaboration is so important for the industry at large: “In paper-based packaging we must keep finding innovative ways to reuse our resources. Sometimes, you need to go outside your own mill, your own company, and your own community to find synergies. At Smurfit Westrock we are a largely decentralised organisation, with an approach of ‘think global, act local’ – so we believe in empowering our people at the local level to harness opportunities in innovation where they can.” “Currently we are using paper fibre about seven times after it was first produced but new lab research from Austria is now indicating that fibre can be recycled many more times – potentially 25 times – so this is an area where we will work with technology partners to see how we can extend the life of the fibre for longer,” she says. “In paper-based packaging we must keep finding innovative ways to reuse our resources.”
Girzadiene highlights some of the Better Planet Packaging innovations the Smurfit Westrock team is “extremely proud of and excited about”:
- Paper pallet wrap: a stretchable paper, which can replace plastic stretch film used to wrap pallets.
- Paper net: a 100% paper net that provides a closure or window substitute for plastic netting.
- PunNet: a paper-based punnet that incorporates a paper net to provide a completely mono-material punnet for fresh produce. The advantage for the consumer is that they can see the quality of produce they are purchasing.
- Toplock: a sustainable, child-proof box for detergent pods and capsules, offering a replacement for plastic packaging for washing pods, capsules and so on.
- TopClip: a packaging solution to replace shrink film around beverage cans that consumers buy as a multipack. This is a popular and affordable choice for small to medium breweries.
ABB, R&D and the papermaking evolution
To drive technological advancements and sustainability goals in pulp and paper, ABB opened a multi-million-dollar R&D centre in Dundalk, Ireland in 2023. The centre is taking advantage of modern technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), collaborative robots and augmented/virtual reality(AR/VR) for training and field service delivery. The site will also include a new training hub that will provide skills development support for ABB and customers alike, enabling more cross-industry partnerships and collaboration.
ABB’s Stefano Cinquina says that for more than 70 years, ABB has supported the pulp and paper industry with solutions that drive operational excellence. By deploying advanced automation, digitalisation, and electrification solutions, ABB helps its customers to enhance productivity, optimise energy use, and significantly reduce waste. From streamlined process control to predictive maintenance and resource-efficient operations, ABB’s technologies enable pulp and paper companies to make measurable progress toward a more sustainable and productive future.
“There are many other examples of collaboration within the pulp and paper sector with regard to innovation, including some of those provided in the sections on upstream and downstream progress,” he adds. “The fact that the industry is willing to work together to find more sustainable solutions is a salient point in itself, because the deadline for decarbonising the world is fast approaching, and no individual country or company can achieve their targets alone.” In the conclusion of this first white paper, we are assured that there has been real progress in sustainability through innovation in the pulp and paper value chain. From upstream innovation with fibres, to downstream innovations that offer viable alternatives to fossil-based, non-renewable products, there is much to celebrate and be optimistic about in terms of the industry’s prospects.
The research illustrates that innovation is fundamental to achieving sustainability goals, and the industry will play an essential role in the world’s transition to a circular economy and net zero future.
As long as the pulp and paper sector continues to collaborate – particularly where innovation is concerned – those sustainability goals will become reality.
Every sector is facing regulatory, social and political pressure to address its environmental impact in meaningful and lasting ways. To help forward-thinking businesses lead the way on this front, ABB’s Real Progress campaign prioritises embedding sustainable practices at every stage of a process. “This includes: lowering material use; reducing fossil fuel dependence; mitigating waste; and extending the life of assets,” Cinquina concludes.
