Page 164 - CW E-Magazine (3-9-2024)

News from Abroad

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
VTT to demonstrate energy-efficient manufacturing

technologies for fibre-based products

VTT Technical Research Centre of
Finland has announced a new initiative
to address the challenges of energy and
resource consumption in the forestry and
textile industry. The goal of the ‘Energy
First’ initiative is to act as a starting point
for an entirely new technology, which
creates the conditions for the manufac-
ture of low-carbon, energy-efficient, and
recyclable fibre-based products.

With the continued growth of, for
example, global e-commerce, the demand
for various fibre-based packaging solu-
tions is projected to grow 5-10% annually,
according to data from Statista Market fibre-based products, and has the potential potential reduction of up to 90% in water
Insights and eMarketer. As such, there is for great impact, thanks to more than 50 consumption and a significant decrease in
a need to develop scalable, high-quality industrial partners. We are excited about carbon emissions. Overall, the goal is to
packaging that is easy to recycle while the prospect of 1:1 commercial projects reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.
simultaneously significantly reducing with companies, driving innovation in
carbon footprint. Within non-wovens, energy-efficient paper board production. Products manufactured with the new
used in napkins and wipes for example, VTT’s purpose is to bring together people, process are designed to be compatible
VTT expects a strong shift from tradi- business, science and technology, paving with existing recycling methods. Further-
tional products that contain plastic to the way to a sustainable future. The more, fibre-based packaging is produced
cellulose-based products. Energy First theme aims to do just that,” in a way that makes it a sustainable alter-
informed Mr. Atte Virtanen, Vice Pres- native to reusable packaging. The planned
With a budget of around Euro 20-mn ident, Biomaterial Processing and Pro- EU packaging and packaging directive
over the next four years, the initiative con- ducts at VTT. requires that both the raw material and the
sists of several projects and will establish manufacturing process are sustainable,
a new innovative open-access pilot line The forest industry faces new chal- and recyclable bio-based packaging
in Jyväskylä, Finland. The collaborative lenges, including the rising cost of energy solutions will have to undergo a sustaina-
research aims at developing and testing and fibre-wood scarcity. The Energy First bility assessment.
commercially viable, sustainable alter theme seeks to overcome these hindrances
natives for cardboard packaging, hygiene to sustainable products by developing In addition to reducing water and
products, and non-woven fabrics. a manufacturing process with minimal energy consumption, the project seeks to
water and energy usage. Preliminary esti- redefine the forest industry’s environmental
“This new initiative is a pivotal step mates by VTT’s scientists suggest that the impact and enhance the competitiveness
towards more sustainable and competitive new manufacturing process will provide a of fibre-based products.
ACQUISITION
Brenntag’s buys Brazilian speciality chemicals distributors

German chemicals distributor, (PIC) and PharmaSpecial Especia- The acquired firms are established,
Brenntag, has announced the acquisition lidades Químicas e Farmacêuticas family-owned speciality chemicals dis-
of PIC Química e Farmacêutica Ltd.a. Ltd.a. (PharmaSpecial) in Brazil. tributors, serving large customers and

164 Chemical Weekly September 3, 2024

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised