The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has announced the Energy First initiative, a new collaborative research project aimed at developing sustainable, energy-efficient, and recyclable fiber-based products for the forestry and textile industries. The initiative aims to address the challenges of energy and resource consumption in these sectors, with a focus on reducing carbon footprint and promoting sustainable production methods.
The project will establish a new innovative open-access pilot line in Jyväskylä, Finland, with a budget of around 20 million euros over the next four years. The initiative will bring together more than 50 industrial partners, including Valmet and Anpap, to develop and test commercially viable alternatives for cardboard packaging, hygiene products, and non-woven fabrics.
The Energy First initiative is expected to reduce water consumption by up to 90% and carbon emissions by up to 50%. The project’s focus on sustainable manufacturing processes, recyclable materials, and reduced energy consumption aligns with the EU’s packaging and packaging directive requirements.
The consortium is also actively engaging in EU projects, such as EU SteamDry, with a total budget of 9.84 million euros over 3.5 years. VTT will continue to develop new projects as part of the initiative, including bilateral cooperation with industrial partners.
The Energy First initiative has the potential to significantly impact the forest industry’s environmental impact and enhance the competitiveness of fiber-based products. The project’s goal is to redefine the industry’s environmental impact and promote sustainable production methods.
