Experts´ voice - Shaping the Future of the Industry

Transforming a pulp mill into a biorefinery for renewable fuels

There is increasing pressure for tissue producers to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption. ANDRITZ has been busy developing solutions which are innovative, efficient, and minimize the consumption of resources – without compromising on product quality.

Biomass Gasification for Lime Kilns — Going fossil fuel free is an urgent sustainability topic that has become even more critical due to the current global energy crisis. It is clear we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.

In 2020, ANDRITZ launched specialized HC refining technology for tissue production in China to tackle the challenges of surging pulp costs as well as to meet the demands of tissue producers looking for differentiation. Due to its remarkable success in operation, the technology was then steadily introduced to other Asian countries from 2022. The following interview gives a complete overview of HC refining technology.

Interview with Naveen Chenna, Head of Business and Technology Development, ANDRITZ

The downturn in global manufacturing activity during the last year has created a difficult demand environment for many packaging grades. However, this is expected to be relatively short lived, since there are several factors that suggest better times are ahead, once the uncertainty on the manufacturing front eases. Global demand for packaging paper and board should grow 2.4% annually during the next five years, even if conditions remain challenging in 2020.

ANDRITZ has developed a world-wide reputation as a leader in the production of steel Yankees for a variety of paper grades and even tobacco machines.

“The good times are returning” according to Oliver Lansdell, Director, Hawkins Wright, provider of market intelligence and analytical services to the international pulp, paper, and biomass industries. And it seems the pulp industry, in particular, is enjoying something of a renaissance. There are various reasons for this optimism, including increasing demand for virgin fiber content in tissue and hygiene products, the exciting growth of renewable packaging, and strong demand in niche applications such as wood-based textile fibers and other new markets in the bioeconomy.

ANDRITZ experts give a complete overview of its PrimeLineTAD (Through Air Drying) technoloy for the production of premium tissue products: Joseph Guadagno: Vice President Tissue and Air Systems, North America Stefano Marenco: Director PrimeLineTIAC and R&D Tissue Paul Richards: Senior Technology Manager Tissue

Digitalization is progressing in leaps and bounds: The main reasons for this are technical progress, constant further development of the internet, mobile applications and technologies based on artificial intelligence, and increasing globalization. Technology trends emerging as a result of digitalization, such as IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence), data analytics by means of Big Data, and AR (Augmented Reality), not only have a considerable impact on society and the working environment, but also on business operations in industry.

As of the beginning of July, our Paper and Board team has a new Vice President – Gerald Steiner. He joined the ANDRITZ Group one year ago and was in charge of the development and implementation of automation and digitalization in paper mills worldwide.

Is the industry ready to replace fossil-fuel-based products?

Megatrends are big, long-term changes that have a clear direction.

According to Rod Young, RISI’s Chief Economic Advisor, the turnaround of dissolving pulp supply and demand over the last decade has been nothing short of amazing

Getting to the heart of industry matters

Interview with Júlio César Rodrigues da Cunha, Fibria’s Director of Engineering and Projects, and Joel Starepravo, ANDRITZ Project Director

Interview with Jimmy Onstead, Staff Vice President and Principal Engineer Forest Products at specialist pulp and paper industry insurer, FM Global