Paper drying is one of the most energy-intensive aspects of the manufacturing process and, with mills across the world looking to cut energy costs, Smurfit Kappa says its new drying process has cut energy consumption by 6%.
According to the packaging company, the “innovative new processes” implemented have also led to a 5% reduction in total CO2 emissions at the 250,000 tonne per year capacity facility.
The company added that a ‘digital twin’ approach was used in the project to create a virtual representation of the drying system to simulate how it would perform and the process wa now delivering savings.
It remained tight-lipped on specific details about the process.
Reductions
Smurfit Kappa says the process forms part of its goal of achieving a 55% intensity reduction in fossil CO2 emissions by 2030 and at least net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The packaging company said it has had its 2030 emissions reductions targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative as being in line with the Paris agreement.
Commenting on the innovation, David Upton, managing director of the Smurfit Kappa UK Paper division, said: “The advanced new drying process has helped us to significantly reduce our energy consumption at the mill.
“With energy costs continuing to rise and market volatility, this technology will help us to reduce costs and take a further step in achieving our net-zero target.
“We have been trialling this method in other areas of the manufacturing process and hope to see similar positive results over time.
“A huge thank you must go to all of our partners involved in this highly collaborative project; the results we have seen are testament to their dedication, hard work, and willingness to strive towards a more sustainable future.”
Smurfit Kappa collaborated with multiple partners to “deliver the innovation”, including the Paper Industry Technical Association, Automation X, ProcSim, the Carbon Trust and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
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