Breakthrough process for energy Efficient ceLLulose-based Additives
Publieke samenvatting / Public summary
Aanleiding
Micro fibrillated cellulose (hereafter: MFC) holds a great promise as a new and sustainable alternative material to be used in various industries. MFC is a renewable material containing cellulose fibrils and is easily recyclable and reusable. It can be used to impart the performance characteristics of a product, such as the stability, the strength and the durability of materials or fluids, with sustainable natural ingredients made from plants. One of the major examples in which MFC functions as a substitute is the current packaging market. MFC can be applied in coatings as a more environmentally friendly alternative to replace fossil-based plastics, whilst maintaining essential characteristics such as the strength of the packaging. Within this feasibility study, Sappi aims to tackle various challenges to realize an energy reduction in the production process of MFC. Herewith it strives to reduce the energy usage and hence the carbon footprint that is currently accompanied with producing MFC, to eventually contribute to a more sustainable industry.
Doelstelling
The goal of this project is to study the feasibility of two overarching technologies that could potentially lead to the ultimate decision whether Sappi would commence the further development through means of a pilot project. The specific objectives that are investigated are as follows: - Reducing the amount of energy needed to produce wet MFCs by 50% through a pre-treatment phase; - Reducing the water content and thereby the CO2-emissions from transporting Valida by 80% through drying MFCs. This feasibility study aims to research the technical and economic feasibility of creating a I) wet Valida (MFC) with significantly reduced energy consumption by the addition of a pretreatment phase, II) high consistency and III) a dry Valida product by reducing the water content. Through carrying out a feasibility study, Sappi investigates the feasibility in preparation for a pilot project on the (experimental) development of the innovations. Sappi eventually intends to test the innovative measures of wet production, high consistency and dry production in a practical environment. This project therefore contributes to “Program line 1: CO2-reducing measures other than hydrogen.
Korte omschrijving
The feasibility study will be conducted through four distinct work packages, that each represent four phases within the study. Within these work packages, Sappi combines her internal knowledge and expertise with several technologies from external experts. As such, the study represents a combination of research and analyses from practical tests that are required to answer the feasibility questions that are posed. The work packages include the analysis of the current production process for wet Valida, followed by thorough research in the technological and economic feasibility of producing Valida at high consistency and subsequently producing a fully dry product. The data gathered in the first three work packages will give a comprehensive overview of the technical specifications and details needed to provide recommendations in a final assessment model in work package 4. Therewith Sappi can create an accurate cost estimation including technical and economic recommendations for the development of a pilot plant for an innovative wet Valida process, high consistency and dry Valida.
Resultaat
Sappi aims to determine the economic and technical feasibility of producing wet Valida with a significant energy reduction and acquiring a partially / fully dried form of MFC. The results of this feasibility study will be used to decide upon the subsequent development of a pilot plant. This pilot installation is necessary to conclude whether it is possible to produce less energy-intensive wet and fully dried MFC to make the product more sustainable and accessible for various industries. The overarching feasibility questions relate to the technical feasibility of creating a 50% less wet and thereby less energy consuming product, creating a fully dry product that reduces CO2-emissions, and providing insights in the economic viability of the proposed solutions. These routes provide insights into the most effective and efficient potential solutions towards an environmentally, technically and economically feasible product. In conclusion, this feasibility study should lead to a report that concludes whether the follow-up project of the development of a pilot plant is feasible.
Micro fibrillated cellulose (hereafter: MFC) holds a great promise as a new and sustainable alternative material to be used in various industries. MFC is a renewable material containing cellulose fibrils and is easily recyclable and reusable. It can be used to impart the performance characteristics of a product, such as the stability, the strength and the durability of materials or fluids, with sustainable natural ingredients made from plants. One of the major examples in which MFC functions as a substitute is the current packaging market. MFC can be applied in coatings as a more environmentally friendly alternative to replace fossil-based plastics, whilst maintaining essential characteristics such as the strength of the packaging. Within this feasibility study, Sappi aims to tackle various challenges to realize an energy reduction in the production process of MFC. Herewith it strives to reduce the energy usage and hence the carbon footprint that is currently accompanied with producing MFC, to eventually contribute to a more sustainable industry.
Doelstelling
The goal of this project is to study the feasibility of two overarching technologies that could potentially lead to the ultimate decision whether Sappi would commence the further development through means of a pilot project. The specific objectives that are investigated are as follows: - Reducing the amount of energy needed to produce wet MFCs by 50% through a pre-treatment phase; - Reducing the water content and thereby the CO2-emissions from transporting Valida by 80% through drying MFCs. This feasibility study aims to research the technical and economic feasibility of creating a I) wet Valida (MFC) with significantly reduced energy consumption by the addition of a pretreatment phase, II) high consistency and III) a dry Valida product by reducing the water content. Through carrying out a feasibility study, Sappi investigates the feasibility in preparation for a pilot project on the (experimental) development of the innovations. Sappi eventually intends to test the innovative measures of wet production, high consistency and dry production in a practical environment. This project therefore contributes to “Program line 1: CO2-reducing measures other than hydrogen.
Korte omschrijving
The feasibility study will be conducted through four distinct work packages, that each represent four phases within the study. Within these work packages, Sappi combines her internal knowledge and expertise with several technologies from external experts. As such, the study represents a combination of research and analyses from practical tests that are required to answer the feasibility questions that are posed. The work packages include the analysis of the current production process for wet Valida, followed by thorough research in the technological and economic feasibility of producing Valida at high consistency and subsequently producing a fully dry product. The data gathered in the first three work packages will give a comprehensive overview of the technical specifications and details needed to provide recommendations in a final assessment model in work package 4. Therewith Sappi can create an accurate cost estimation including technical and economic recommendations for the development of a pilot plant for an innovative wet Valida process, high consistency and dry Valida.
Resultaat
Sappi aims to determine the economic and technical feasibility of producing wet Valida with a significant energy reduction and acquiring a partially / fully dried form of MFC. The results of this feasibility study will be used to decide upon the subsequent development of a pilot plant. This pilot installation is necessary to conclude whether it is possible to produce less energy-intensive wet and fully dried MFC to make the product more sustainable and accessible for various industries. The overarching feasibility questions relate to the technical feasibility of creating a 50% less wet and thereby less energy consuming product, creating a fully dry product that reduces CO2-emissions, and providing insights in the economic viability of the proposed solutions. These routes provide insights into the most effective and efficient potential solutions towards an environmentally, technically and economically feasible product. In conclusion, this feasibility study should lead to a report that concludes whether the follow-up project of the development of a pilot plant is feasible.