MaxAgroPulp

Today’s production is based 100% on wood as a raw material, but a development project at Södra has shown that agricultural residues can positively contribute to the properties of paper pulp. To maximize the use of agricultural residues, a new and innovative process concept has been developed on a lab scale to manage the non-process elements that are present in large quantities in such residues.

The main focus of the project is therefore on research aimed at scaling up the technology and increasing knowledge about how these non-process elements can be handled without negatively affecting the pulping process. 

Technology development for large-scale use of agricultural residues in pulp production provides an important contribution to the competitiveness of both the agricultural and forestry sectors. Adding Swedish agricultural residues to the raw material base for pulp also contributes to improved raw material availability and increased national self-sufficiency. For agriculture, it provides an additional use for residual streams that are currently not used for material production. When agricultural residues become part of pulp, they reach customers on a global market, contribute to Sweden’s export value, and demonstrate increased collaboration and strong innovation capacity within the bio-based economy.