Transforming the paper industry towards climate neutrality

Voith, technology group for the paper industry, has launched a new research project called "Forest" together with partners from industry and research. The aim of the project is to develop a fully comprehensive digital process map for the paper manufacturing processes that makes it possible to record the energy and material flows as well as the_{CO2 flows} and footprints down to the sub-process and sub-product level. The digital framework thus identifies several optimization opportunities that promote a targeted acceleration of the transformation of the paper industry towards climate neutrality.

Identify system areas with high optimization potential

By visualizing the current status of the production facilities, all those involved gain a deeper understanding of the processes. The solution makes it possible to identify plant areas with high optimization potential during ongoing operations based on current data. The digital framework can then be used, for example, to determine the optimum settings for minimized_{CO2 emissions} and to estimate the benefits of conversion measures in advance. The digital framework also supports the definition of requirements for future developments. This allows the influence of new framework conditions, such as changes in energy supply or costs, to be modeled.

Detailed modeling of individual sub-processes

Now that the kick-off meeting has taken place, the project team is defining the requirements and interfaces for the framework and deriving a catalog of requirements. In addition to a physical base model, this framework also includes specific, more detailed modeling of individual sub-processes, which are also being developed by Voith as part of the project. In the next step, Voith will test the digital framework together with the other research partners on various pilot installations.

Renowned project partners involved

The research project was approved by the project sponsor Jülich on 01.04.2023. The project involves a collaboration between Voith and Modellfabrik Papier, the Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University (ITA), the Nowum-Energy Institute at Aachen University of Applied Sciences, the Chair of Wood Technology and Fiber Materials Technology at TU Dresden, the Paper Technology Foundation (PTS), ABB and associated partners such as Felix Schoeller, Sappi Ehingen, Schoellershammer and the WEPA Group.

About the FOREST research project

"Forest" stands for "Framework for Resource, Energy, Sustainability Treatment in paper production". The work is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection as part of the German government's 7th Energy Research Program.