Energy charged: First scientific symposium and ideation workshop of the MFP

“The room is buzzing with energy”, said a participant at the first scientific mini-symposium and ideation workshop of the Modellfabrik Papier (FOMOP) research cluster. Researchers from various disciplines and institutes across Europe met with experts from the paper industry to discuss the future of sustainable paper production and develop new research ideas.

A successful kick-off at the get-together

The evening before, a lively poster session set the stage for the participants to connect. Seven research groups from the FOMOP focus area “Tailor-made Raw Materials” presented their work. Researchers from Modellfabrik Papier and FOMOP research partners MAP (TU Darmstadt), TU Dresden, PTS Institute for Fibres & Paper, and the Institute for Plant Sciences IBG-2 at Forschungszentrum Jülich were represented. Exciting discussions and initial connections developed in a relaxed atmosphere – an ideal start that also offered the invited keynote speakers valuable insights into their audience.

Impulses from all over Europe

The mini-symposium itself offered a varied programme with experts from various European research institutions. They shed light on the conference theme of “Tailor-made raw materials and fibres for significant energy savings in the papermaking process” and demonstrated the scope of the research field.

• Dr. Clàudia Esteves, a scientist at RISE in Sweden, highlighted ways in which energy can be saved in the production of hygiene paper. Her research focuses on the kraft process and the question of how the use of oxygen as an oxidising agent in fibre digestion contributes to the elimination of aggressive chemicals and high temperatures. Oxygen delignification has also been shown to have a positive effect on mechanical fibre properties such as wet

  

  strength. Her message: “Unbleached fibres are much more sustainable: brown is the new green.”

• Prof. Dr. Markus Biesalski, Head of the Institute of Macromolecular and Paper Chemistry (MAP) at TU Darmstadt and member of the MFP Scientific Advisory Board, shared his insights on the interactions between fibres and water. He presented new chemical processes that enhance the binding strength of the fibre networks, such as improving the repulpability of fibres. Another example: improving wet strength with the help of bio-based functional cellulose polymers, which are also more environmentally friendly than traditional additives.
• Dr Antti Paajanen, a scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland, described the interaction between water and fibre wall polymers and their modification at the molecular level. The expert in computer-aided materials physics used examples from current projects to explain how computer-aided methods are pushing the boundaries of experimental research: “Modelling aims to better understand what happens at the level of the fine structure of the pulp, and it provides an even better starting point for controlling the processes related to it.”
• Prof. Dr Jahel Labidi, Head of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Spain and Head of the Biorefinery Processes (BioRP) research group, explained how biorefinery concepts could play a central role in the paper production of the future. His thesis: “By utilising and converting previously unused side streams, paper mills are becoming hubs of the bioeconomy. With an expanded portfolio such as the production of biofuels or new lignin-based materials.”
• Prof. Dr Julien Bras from the Grenoble Institute of Technology – Pagora (UGA) and head of the Multiscale Biobased Materials group at LGP2 joined the conference online. The expert in chemical surface modification and material functionalisation spoke about the development of biobased active packaging with antimicrobial, barrier-forming and conductive properties: “The use of nanocellulose is a decisive step towards more energy-efficient processes for the sustainable production of packaging materials.”

The morning’s presentations made it clear that sustainability in the paper industry is achieved through interdisciplinary thinking and the courage to stray from familiar paths. ‘The potential of new technologies for more sustainable paper production is huge,’ said MFP research group leader Dr Jan-Lukas Schäfer. “With regard to energy savings and changing product benefits, we are faced with open research questions. For example: How can alternative fibre sources be integrated into established manufacturing processes? Or how can the dewatering characteristics of fibres be specifically controlled without significantly impairing the paper/product properties or recyclability?”

Creativity in the Ideation Workshop

The afternoon was therefore devoted to jointly developing new ideas and research approaches. In the multi-part ‘Ideation Workshop’, led by Philipp Wichert and Hanna Greiner from TIM Consulting, participants took part in a creative think tank that deliberately broke with familiar patterns of thinking. In diverse groups, scientists from different disciplines worked together with practitioners and experts from industry to develop new approaches to real challenges facing the paper industry.

The results are impressive: more than 20 new ideas were generated in just a few hours – ranging from technical innovations to conceptual research approaches. Sixteen of these were prioritised by the participants in an evaluation round. The pool of ideas will now be further developed and evaluated internally to decide which ones are particularly suitable for future implementation in the Modellfabrik Papier.

A promising start

“Our first scientific symposium was a real success”, says Dr Jihène Jerbi, MFP Networking Manager for Innovation Scouting Science. The presentations and the ideation workshop impressively demonstrated how fruitful the exchange between disciplines and institutions can be. “A strong network based on the concept of ‘open innovation’ accelerates innovation. Whether it’s chemical processes that we are learning to understand better in terms of energy-saving potential through basic research, or new technological developments that can be scaled up for industrial application.”

With new contacts, inspiring ideas and a wealth of ideas, all participants look back on their joint work. At the same time, the wide range of ideas makes it clear that close cooperation between industry and science is needed to expand knowledge transfer and invest in further research and development work on sustainable technologies