Capturing the CO2 and storing it using CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology would effectively produce a carbon sink as the carbon in the wood was captured from the atmosphere during the growth phase. įinally, pulp mills that combust bark and other wood residues for production of heat and power could capture the CO2 produced in combustion.
Biorefineries would transform traditional pulp mills into advanced factories producing multiple materials and products from wood, instead of just paper and energy. lignin and hemicellulose which are the other components of wood, can be used for production of different types of bio-based chemicals, plastics, or fuels in so-called biorefineries . Thirdly, the by-products from pulping, e.g. There is therefore a renewed and growing interest in using cellulose fibres for textile production, where they can substitute fibres made from polyester or nylon (which are fossil-based plastics), or using cellulose as a component in bio-composites which mix plastics and fibres . Secondly, cellulose (wood) fibres can be used for non-traditional purposes to substitute other types of fibres. There are however good opportunities for the industry to provide low-carbon solutions for several parts of our economies.įirstly, new types of paper-based materials are being developed which can allow for paper to substitute other materials with higher carbon footprints, such as paper bottles for soda and other drinks. Paper production has a large energy demand for heating and drying and still uses natural gas extensively to provide that energy.
In fact, pulp mills today even provide energy in the form of heat and power to local communities. Pulp production, which used to rely on large volumes of petroleum and other fossil energy, has through process redesign and energy efficiency improvements become self-sufficient on energy. The pulp and paper industry has reduced its own carbon footprint significantly over the past decades.
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