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
Meanwhile, Smurfit Westrock’s Better Planet Packaging
Initiative aims to redefine packaging as a sustainable, circular
solution. Examples of this innovation include:
•
AgroPaper™: A degradable paper alternative to plastic
film in agriculture, which can enrich the soil post-use.
•
TopClip™: A recyclable alternative to shrink wrap for
multipack beverage cans, popular among breweries.
•
Paper Pallet Wrap: Stretchable paper that can replace
plastic stretch film in logistics.
These solutions illustrate how the industry is not only
addressing consumer demand for environmentally friendly
packaging but also driving the broader transition toward a circular
economy. By combining advanced technology with sustainability
principles, the pulp and paper industry is paving the way for a future
where packaging leaves no trace for future generations.
Dissolving pulp: a renewable alternative for the textile industry
The global textile industry faces mounting pressure to
昀椀nd sustainable solutions to combat the environmental impact of
synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which are derived from
fossil fuels. These synthetics dominate the market but are among
the most environmentally damaging fibers. In contrast, dissolving
pulp (DP) has emerged as a renewable alternative to support the
transition toward a circular economy.
DP is a versatile raw material derived from wood cellulose,
which can be transformed into regenerated fibers like viscose,
lyocell, and modal. These MMCFs are increasingly sought after
by the textile industry due to their ability to replace non-renewable
synthetics while maintaining similar performance and versatility. The
global impacts of fast fashion, including excessive waste generation
– equivalent to a garbage truck’s load of clothes sent to landfills
every second – underscore the urgency of transitioning to renewable
materials.
Many global pulp and paper companies are expanding
DP production to meet the textile industry’s demand. Innovations
in blockchain technology are also enhancing the traceability of
DP solutions, a growing priority for the fashion sector. Sappi, for
instance, has collaborated with customers to track the geolocation of
forests used for DP production. This allows consumers to verify that
garments made from DP originate from sustainably managed and
deforestation-free sources.
OnceMore®: recycling blended fabrics into high-quality pulp
Among the most notable advancements in the circularity of
textile fibers is Södra’s OnceMore® initiative. This innovative largescale recycling process combines textile waste with responsibly
sourced wood fibers to create virgin-quality dissolving pulp. By
closing the loop on 2,000 tons of textile waste in 2024, OnceMore
is setting a new benchmark in sustainable textile production, with
ambitions to scale up to 50,000 tons annually.
The process targets blended fabrics, such as polycotton
blends (30% polyester and 70% cotton). It separates polyester
from cotton, reusing the cotton to create OnceMore pulp while
incinerating the polyester to generate energy for its operations. This
approach not only reduces textile waste but also ensures that the
resulting pulp maintains the purity and quality necessary for textile
manufacturing.
The initiative also highlights the importance of collaboration
across the value chain. Partnerships with upstream suppliers of
textile waste and downstream consumers of DP have been crucial
to its success. Through certification under the Recycled Claim
Standard (RCS), OnceMore supports manufacturers in meeting
tightening regulatory requirements around recycled content and
recyclability. OnceMore represents a paradigm shift – not just in
technology but in the systems required to scale textile recycling.
Figure 3: The global textile industry faces mounting pressure to find sustainable solutions to combat the environmental impact of
synthetic fibers like plastic.
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