Swedish pulp production is part of one of the most sustainable, ecologically sound industries in the world and since the beginning of the 1970s, the most significant emissions to air and water have decreased by more than 95 per cent. Production is, however, not completely ecocyclic. The majority of Swedish chemical pulp mills have introduced modified, extended sulphate cooking and all the mills producing bleached pulp have an initial oxygen bleaching stage but the production process must be almost completely closed-cycle for it to be deemed ecocyclic. Paper and pulp mills can also be made much more energy-efficient and become producers rather than consumers of electricity.
HOW CAN THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM?
All the input materials in an ecocyclic pulp mill are renewable and all output material from the mill is put to good use. Utilising the energy potential of biomass is the most pressing challenge. Modern pulp mills have the potential to be completely self-sufficient on internally generated bio-energy as well as produce considerable amounts of surplus bio-energy. The aim of KAM is to develop a plant which produces top-quality pulp and paper products with the least possible use of non-renewable resources, at the same time as different chemical substances and surplus energy are taken care of with minimum emissions to the surroundings during the production of bleached sulphate pulp. Within the KAM programme, methods to make better use of surplus biomass and to "green" production are being developed by closing fluid flows and separating off alien substances, improving utilisation of energy and solid waste products, and by more efficient delignification and analysis of mineral flows. The programme centres on a theoretical reference pulp mill, which uses the best commercially available technology, and theoretical model mills, with the help of which the effects of new technology can be studied.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESULTS?
The pulp and paper industry. Forestry. Energy-producing companies. Central, regional and local authorities responsible for energy issues. Environmental authorities.
Programme period: 1996-2002
Funding: Mistra SEK 90 million. Financial support from the business sector totals SEK 18 million.
Main contractor: Swedish Pulp and Paper Research Institute (STFI)
