Classed as one of the most energy-intensive manufacturing sectors, the paper industry has ambitions to achieve climate protection goals while also maintaining competitiveness and long-term employment.
Modellfabrik Papier, founded in Düren, Germany, will bring together players from across the paper industry including ABB, paper producers Essity and Schoellershammer, supplier Voith, and research institute Darmstadt Technical University, with the opportunity for others to participate. Together, this innovation-driven society will develop a model paper factory with the aim to design a more energy efficient and future-proof paper production.
The city of Düren is an example of where this project could have a big impact. Known as the City of Paper, Düren has a long tradition in the industry with a locally embedded supply chain and more than 2,000 people directly employed in the paper industry.
As a contributor in the modern paper mill transformation, specialists from ABB will focus on building digital solutions that deliver real customer value. By leveraging technology, analytics and the deep process expertise developed over decades serving the industry, ABB is well positioned to help the society – and the global pulp and paper industry – improve productivity and efficiency.
“ Automation and digitalization are essential elements for a sustainable future,” said Alexander Fach, Technology Manager, Process Industries, ABB. “As a partner, we will contribute our expertise in these areas to Modellfabrik Papier, turn ideas into new realities and work together with visionaries, engineers and experts to shape the paper industry of tomorrow. We are eager to contribute our domain, analytical and automation expertise to drive the digital transformation of the paper industry.”
Initially drawing on expertise from Germany, the society’s representatives have joined forces to actively shape the development of the model paper factory. The participants aim to fundamentally rethink paper production in whole or in part and identify ways to achieve climate neutral paper production – enabling a transformation that could be replicated globally.
