PAPER making! FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL ® FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TEC Volume 11, Number 2, 2025
Energy efficient alternatives to decarbonize the pulp and paper industry – the case of linerboard production RODRIGO BUITRAGO-TELLO 1 , RICHARD A. VENDITTI 1 , HASAN JAMEEL 1 , PETER W. HART 2 , ASHOK GHOSH 2 & LUIS CARLOS BELALCÁZAR-CERÓN 3 Variability in fossil fuel prices and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have driven the US pulp and paper (P&P) industry to adopt technologies that decrease reliance on fossil fuels. In this regard, enhancing energy efficiency is crucial to the decarbonization of the sector. This study evaluates several energy-efficient alternatives for one of the main P&P products, linerboard, focusing on black liquor concentration, steam generation, and paper-drying processes. The key technologies assessed include: (a) high-efficiency recovery boilers and electric boilers as substitutes for natural gas, (b) graphene oxide (GO) nanofiltration membranes and mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) for black liquor concentration, and (c) advanced paper machine techniques like shoe presses, nylon mesh felts, and condebelt drying. Using process simulations in Windows-based Generic Energy and Material System (WINGEMS), Life Cycle Assessment in OpenLCA, and financial modeling, the study found that GO membranes for black liquor and condebelt drying were the most effective, reducing emissions by 15%. High-efficiency recovery boilers added another 10% reduction. Cost analysis showed that technologies like nylon felts, shoe presses, and MVR not only cut operational costs but achieved carbon reductions of up to 8%, with costs of avoided carbon (CAC) ranging from −$67 and −$19 per metric tonne of CO 2 -eq. avoided. In contrast, GO membranes and recovery boilers had higher CAC values, from $237 to $392 per metric tonne. The findings suggest that the benefits of MVR, GO membranes, electric boilers, and condebelt drying increase with greater renewable energy use in the US grid, highlighting the decarbonization potential of electrifying the pulp and paper sector. Contact information: 1 Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 2 Research and Development, WestRock, Richmond, Virginia, USA. 3 Facultad de Ingeniería, Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Ambiental, Universidad Nacional de
Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2025) DOI: 10.1002/bbb.2790 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License
The Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA) is an independent organisation which operates for the general benefit of its members – both individual and corporate – dedicated to promoting and improving the technical and scientific knowledge of those working in the UK pulp and paper industry. Formed in 1960, it serves the Industry, both manufacturers and suppliers, by providing a forum for members to meet and network; it organises visits, conferences and training seminars that cover all aspects of papermaking science. It also publishes the prestigious journal Paper Technology International ® and the PITA Annual Review , both sent free to members, and a range of other technical publications which include conference proceedings and the acclaimed Essential Guide to Aqueous Coating .
Article 5 – Decarbonisation of Linerboard
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