A sustainable business is just not happening by itself, we need to create it together!

For Valmet, sustainability has been high on the agenda for decades. One of the most important focus areas has been reducing the environmental footprint during the use phase of the technology. The footprint development for an Advantage DCT 200 tissue production line with equal scope and boundary limits, producing an 18-gsm bath product at 2000 m/min has been followed regularly over time. The results from the long-term commitment can be seen from the development of the energy consumption, that has been reduced by almost 50% while the water consumption is reduced with around 80% since the 90’s. The CO₂ emission has been reduced in relation to the reduction of energy used. “Today we can reduce energy usage in every part of the line and we can also recover, transform and return it back to the process. Tissue mills can use Valmet solutions to generate hot air, steam or electricity from renewable sources substantially reducing the carbon footprint. We also have the know-how and solutions to achieve lowest possible water consumption” – says Ulf Johnsson, Manager Sustainable Mill Solutions within Valmet Tissue.

Technologies, automation and services for tissue production

Let’s do it together!

Valmet’s target is to substantially reduce the energy consumption and enable carbon neutral tissue production as the standard by 2030 at the latest.
We offer many opportunities to reduce CO₂ emissions and other environmental impacts in tissue production through a combination of process technologies, services and automation solutions. With Valmet’s latest solutions, enhanced heat recovery and minor technology improvements it’s our projection that until 2025 the total energy consumption in tissue production can be lowered further to 1687 kWh/ton.​ We can see that in 2022 the CO₂ emissions have been lowered already from 387 kg/ton to 161 kg/ton by using renewable fuels for hot air and steam, such as hydrogen. Now only remaining CO₂ is from the grid supplied electricity. Improved heat recovery is also affecting the water consumption in a positive way. Technology has a vital role in the process. It can serve like a bridge between different processes and businesses. By applying best available technology in a traditional meaning and in new ways existing technology has the potential to extend the lifetime of current assets from a climate impact perspective during the transition time while developing new technology towards the carbon neutral society.

We need to widen our view

However, technology alone is no longer sufficient. To utilize the full potential, a more holistic approach is needed, involving interaction with other stakeholders, finding areas of symbiosis, and being open to innovative and efficient solutions. The more sustainable tissue mill is based on a long-term understanding of market needs and consumer behaviour.
The location, overall physical design, employee competence and efficient technology are also vital to achieve results.

Utilize the full potential

Optimized Mill design is crucial when setting up a new mill. It is of utmost importance to have the full understanding of how different equipment, machines and systems interact between each other and with the operators.
There can be a substantial difference in electrical energy consumption just by how the layout of the production line is made and how the sizing of main equipment is selected.
There is a huge potential in industrial internet and automation solutions which brings possibilities to make immediate decisions based on real facts and automated analyze of large amount of data, making corrections to the process without even involving the human mind. Ensuring that the process is operated in the most optimum way in every moment.

Utilizing a production line’s full capability, minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency with lowest possible specific consumption is positive from all sustainability aspects. “Although we have come a long way, our ambition doesn’t stop here. Additional products related to dewatering efficiency, hot air and steam generation among others, will or have already entered the market in the coming years. We have a bold ambition, targeting a step change in energy consumption by 2030. With combined efforts together with our customers and partners we will continue to lower energy, water and fiber usage and CO₂ emissions. A sustainable Tissue production is just not happening by itself, we need to create it together” – concludes Johnsson.