MechChem Africa January-February 2025

ABB showcases pulp and paper industry progress As part of its global Real Progress sustainability programme, ABB is launching a series of sustainability-focused white papers to give customers technology insights and perspectives into the processing industries. This article introduces the first of three papers covering the pulp and paper industry.

A BB’ latest series of Real Progress white papers sets out to highlight innovation and to explore strate gies 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 pa pers 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. The first pulp and paper related study, en titled ‘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 increas ingly 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.” 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 propo sition. 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 solu tions that offer the same barrier technology or protection.” Some of these sustainable initiatives from Sappi include: • Recyclable Sappi Seal, a flexible pack aging 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 de centralised 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 Highlights from global industry leaders

The pulp and paper industry has a pivotal role to play in the move away from plastic and nonrecyclable materials. Image ABB

ABB is working side by side with customers to harness data to optimise pulp and paper production. Image: Adobe Stock

38 ¦ MechChem Africa • January-February 2025