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

Beyond paper: bio-based innovation
As the world’s largest producer of bioenergy and
biomaterials, the pulp and paper industry represents the most
significant biomass utilization system derived from wood. The
concept of a pulp mill functioning as a biorefinery is not new within
the sector. These mills convert biomass into energy and various
valuable byproducts using technologies such as biomass boilers,
gasification, biodiesel, and ethanol production.
Integrating bio-based production into conventional pulp
and paper mills is central to achieving environmental and financial
sustainability. By utilizing renewable technologies, the industry plays
a vital role in decarbonization, including applications for hard-toabate sectors like aviation through biofuel production.
Collaboration for circularity
The transition to a bio-based economy requires robust
collaboration across industries and value chains. Side streams, or
production waste, are increasingly being leveraged as raw materials
for new products. Thinking beyond individual mills and organizations
to discover opportunities that drive innovation is central to this
transition.
For instance, at Smurfit Westrock’s Rethel paper mill in
France, plastics inadvertently introduced through recycled waste
streams are redirected to a sister facility in Germany. There, the
plastics are melted down and converted into bioenergy for the mill’s
boilers, showcasing how waste can be transformed into energy
solutions.
The pulp and paper industry is demonstrating that bio-based
innovation is not just about replacing fossil fuels but also about
reimagining waste as a resource, creating sustainable solutions that
benefit both the environment and the economy.
Looking ahead
The pulp and paper industry has made significant strides
in sustainability, driven by innovation across its value chain. From
upstream advancements in fiber technologies to downstream
Figure 4: The pulp and paper industry is demonstrating that
bio-based innovation is not just about replacing fossil fuels but
also about reimagining waste.
solutions that replace fossil-based, non-renewable products, the
industry has much to celebrate and offers a promising outlook for
the future.
There is no understating how fundamental innovation is to
achieving sustainability goals, and the pulp and paper industry is
positioned to play a pivotal role in supporting the global transition to
a circular economy and a net-zero future. Sustainability is a critical
challenge that requires practical solutions, bold innovation, and
collaborative action across industries. Future papers in this series
will provide detailed insights into decarbonization and resource
efficiency, offering stakeholders across the pulp and paper value
chain strategies to implement meaningful, measurable progress. By
leveraging these insights, the industry can advance its sustainability
goals in a way that benefits both the global economy and the
environment.
Figure 5: The author Stefano
Cinquina, Global Business Line
Manager for Pulp and Paper,
ABB Process Industries.
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