On Wednesday, December 11, the Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance and its Advanced Chemical Pulping Action Team, Washington, D.C., USA, convened 25 experts from North America, South America, and Europe to discuss opportunities for breakthrough technologies in chemical pulping. The participants reviewed current technologies for kraft pulping and explored research pathways for next-generation "beyond kraft" processes. The workshop began with assessments of current technologies and concluded with specific research pathways that will be developed further.

 

Launched in September, the Pulping Team is targeting next-generation processes that achieve at least one of the following criteria: 25% reduction in pulp mill energy input, 5%t increase in pulp yield, 25% reduction in BOD/COD effluents, and significantly reduced capital requirement.

 

"Kraft pulping, the global standard for more than 50 years, is energy-intensive and capital-intensive. The pulp and paper industry of the future needs breakthroughs to make large improvements in sustainability and to compete more effectively against other materials," noted Ron Brown, president and executive director of Agenda 2020.

 

Agenda 2020 is seeking next-generation manufacturing technologies in other areas as well. It recently established action teams for new technologies in concentrating black liquor, reusing process water streams, delivering a drier web to the paper machine dryers, and enabling the development of cellulosic nanomaterials. The Black Liquor Concentration Team conducted a workshop in September and outlined research and development (R&D) paths to deliver 25% energy reduction. The other teams are planning workshops in early 2014.

 

The Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance is a consortium of companies organized to promote the development of advanced technologies for manufacturing pulp and paper products. Its member companies include pulp and paper producers with global operations and companies that supply products and services to the industry. Working with partners in the research community and government, Agenda 2020 encourages collaborative R&D programs that promise large benefits in sustainability and competitiveness.