The paper factory as a networking centre

The industry-specific production processes of the paper industry and established recycling loops for paper products use raw materials highly efficiently and offer only limited improvement potential. However, other paper products could be specifically collected for high-quality recycling loops, co-products, production residues and energy streams incompletely used to date, as well as the infrastructure of paper factories, could be used more for other production processes. The objective of this environment pact project was therefore, to point out opportunities for greater local or regional value added through efficient and climate-friendly cross-industry use of resources and to work up an analysis of the potential using the example of typical production locations of the Bavarian paper industry.

The project partners were the paper industry associations, the Verband Bayerischer Papierfabriken e.V. (VBP) and the Verband der Bayerischen Papier, Pappe und Kunststoff verarbeitenden Industrie e.V. (VBPV) with its member companies as well as the Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS) and bifa Umweltinstitut GmbH (bifa) as the project management. The project was funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection (Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz).

Within the scope of the project work the partners identified and analysed twelve areas for action:

•           Recovering lost fibres

•           Recycling paper cups

•           Using residual and intermediate materials in a high-quality way

•           Developing products from ash

•           Using the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide

•           Producing paper and cardboard from alternative fibrous materials

•           Pooling residual materials

•           Treating wastewater together more efficiently

•           Using surplus heat to heat buildings

•           Using surplus heat for cooling and air conditioning

•           Using paper factories for balancing power and as temporary energy stores

•           Consolidating forces in industrial areas and industrial parks

In the project, specific action approaches were developed, initial implementation steps were initiated and the experiences were summarised in a handout for industry, commerce and municipalities. In addition to technical and economic factors, the following requirements are mainly decisive for successful implementation:

•           They must be ready to accept new approaches.

•           They must be ready to work out and use their mutual advantage.

•           Neutral and professional moderation can improve the prospects for success.

The resources offered by a paper factory also provide incentives for other companies to settle themselves in vicinity. This should not only be the focus of the paper factories and their potential partners – the location municipalities and local business development organisations should also take this into consideration in their activities.

You want more information?
You are welcome to contact me:
Dr. Siegfried Kreibe
skreibe@bifa.de