The Bioeconomy Research Programme - 2021

The world is in rapid change, collaboration and networks are the keys

Together, the industry and RISE generate competitiveness based on sustainability. Through industrial research on enhancing resource efficiency. Through adding value to raw material, to products and transforming waste to products. History shows that innovation can add commercial value to residues and side streams. A profitability is constituted as the production of a company is given a higher value. This profitability is fundamental for an industry to be interested in investing in research. The value of research is leveraged when performed collectively, the common set can cover more. To be able to use the same researchers from the common research in the bilateral is also very cost efficient.  

In change, new knowledge is a success factor, the right knowledge shape industry leaders. In some projects companies along the value chain are gathered, for example a forestry company, a pulp producer, a papermaker and a packaging specialist. In another there may be companies within food waste collection, bio refineries and sellers of lubricants and fuels that collaborate. Companies specialised in process additives or machinery, whose knowledge is needed to make processes more efficient, are invited. Many companies are multinational with a strong Swedish presence, other are based in other continents. In The Bioeconomy Research Programme all learn and develop. To armour together in a network is to armour efficiently for future challenges. 

Ongoing projects within the Bioeconomy Research Programme 2021

PULP AND CELLULOSE

This area will be covered by two consortia with these targets.

Pulping processes

• Improved runnability for increased capacity 
• Improved energy and resource efficiency
• Decreased water footprint 
• Decreased waste generation 
• Improved pulp yield
• Improved pulp bleaching
• Improved or new processes to add value to pulp fibres

Recovery cycle and water management

• Improved energy and resource efficiency
• Improved runnability for increased capacity
• Decreased water footprint
• Decreased waste generation
• Developed processes to add value to pulp mill residual streams
• Developed processes to add new values to pulp fibers

WOOD AND AGRO BIOREFINERY

This area will be covered by two consortia with these targets.

Kraft lignin

• Improved efficiency in separation of black liquor components and kraft lignins
• Improved or new applications to add value to kraft lignins

Flexible biorefinery

• Improved or new processes to add value to wood and agricultural process residues
• Improved processes towards lignocellulose-based chemicals, oils and fuels

PAPER, BOARD AND TISSUE

This area will be covered by two consortia with these targets.

Fibre and additive design

• Improved fibre design for paper performance
• Improved dewatering and drying processes
• Optimized effect of process and product additives
• Improved design for recyclability

Tissue

• Improved absorption and softness of tissue
• Improved fibre design for tissue performance
• Enhanced product properties through embossing and converting
• Optimized effect of process and product additives

PACKAGING AND MATERIALS

This area will be covered by four consortia with these targets.

Paper board packages

• Improved packaging performance 
• Increased circularity for packaging
• Improved predictability in printing
• Enhanced packaging property space

Corrugated packages

• Improving packaging performance
• Optimized packaging for E-commerce and transport
• Reduced moisture sensitivity
• Improved and predictable post-print quality
• Improved inkjet quality
• Enhanced packaging property space

3D-formed fibres

• Improved combination of pulp and moulding technology
• Decreased productions costs
• Improved packaging performance and expanded utilization space

Barriers

• Developed sustainable high-performance barriers and super hydrophobic surfaces
• Improved cost-efficiency of barrier application methods
• Improved barrier performance after converting
• Improved circularity of packaging materials

SOLID WOOD AND SAWMILLS

This area will be covered by one consortia with these targets.

Wood durability

• Improved processes for environmentally preferable wood treatment and protection
• Increased performance of environmentally preferable wood treatment and protection