Innovating for tomorrow: How the pulp and paper industry is turning the page for a sustainable future Stefano Cinquina, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp and Paper, ABB Process Industries

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Innovatiing for tomorrow: How the pulp and paper industry is turning
the page for a sustainable future
Stefano Cinquina, Business Line Manager for Pulp and Paper, ABB Process Industries
INTRODUCTION:
As industries worldwide contend with the need to decarbonize and shift away from fossil-based materials, the pulp and paper
industry is equipped to take the lead in driving change. By leveraging its renewable raw materials and commitment to circularity, the industry
has the potential to transform not only its own processes but also the broader economy and shape a more sustainable future.
Figure 1: The pulp and
paper industry is turning
the page for a sustainable
future.
The story of pulp and paper is one of continuous evolution
and innovation. Tracing its roots back to the ingenuity of the Ancient
Egyptians and the refined techniques of Chinese paper pioneer
Ts’ai Lun in 105 CE, papermaking has always been intertwined
with resourcefulness and sustainability. Early paper production was
characterized by the reuse of available materials, such as fishing
nets and old textiles, embodying the principles of recycling long
before it became a global priority.
Today, the industry’s commitment to sustainability is stronger
than ever. Unlike other industries, pulp and paper production starts
with a natural resource – wood – that is inherently renewable.
Coupled with the industry’s long-standing expertise in recycling, the
pulp and paper industry sets the example for circularity.
However, modern challenges call for modern solutions.
To meet sustainability targets, the industry must address its
significant environmental footprint, where it is the fourth largest
industrial energy consumer and significant generator of wastewater,
byproducts and material waste. Achieving this requires a shift to
renewable energy sources and greater efficiency in energy and
water use. Importantly, the industry has demonstrated its ability
to adapt, as seen in its shift in focus from declining graphic paper
production to new growth areas like packaging, tissue, textiles and
bio-based innovations.
In the digital era,
the pulp and paper industry
faces both challenges and
unprecedented opportunities.
While digitalization has
reduced demand for traditional
paper products like newsprint,
it has fueled growth in
other segments such as
e-commerce packaging.
Research from McKinsey underscores this evolution, noting
sustained industry growth driven by population expansion, economic
development, and rising consumer preferences for environmentally
friendly products.
Through this transformation, the industry has positioned
itself as a key player in the transition from fossil-based to renewable
materials. This role extends beyond paper, influencing adjacent
areas such as textiles, biofuels, and sustainable packaging.
Collaborating for real progress
The journey toward a more sustainable future is not one
the pulp and paper industry can take alone. It requires collaboration
across sectors, leveraging advanced technology and expertise
to address shared challenges like decarbonization and resource
efficiency. ABB’s Real Progress campaign highlights the role of
automation, electri昀椀cation, and digitalization in accelerating progress
in the process industries.
With its extensive history of supporting industries to reduce
emissions and increase efficiency, ABB’s contributions reflect a
broader movement towards aligning sustainability with productivity.
Within the pulp and paper industry, efforts focus on innovative
applications and solutions that enable mills to meet ambitious
environmental targets while remaining competitive.
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