On the edge of Hallsta and Braviken paper mills there are metre-high mounds consisting of fibre sludge and biosludge. Each week the mill workers add about another 1 000 tonnes of sludge. To introduce oxygen – a necessity in the composting process – the heaps are constantly turned. After eight to ten months the sludge, consisting of residual products from the biological water treatment and fibre from the process wastewater, are converted to fibre soil reinforcement. This is then sold on to soil producers who mix the fibre soil reinforcement into construction soil or planting soil.
Making use of residue
At Holmen paper mills waste is truly minimized through processing and repurposing. Here are two examples of how residual products from pulp and paper manufacturing provide nutrients for trees and plants and heat the nation’s homes.
Fibre soil reinforcement
The planting soil provides nutrition when laying out public green spaces and planted areas, or in the planting pots and cultivation beds of the home gardener.
The value of minimizing waste
Minimizing waste is an important part of the processes at Holmen’s paper mills, which are designed for circularity. The above example shows how there’s value in taking full responsibility for the residue. The value of utilizing residual products is of course partly economical, but in the long run the value of minimizing negative effects of production and regenerating natural systems should not be downplayed.
Circularity is key, where we see progress from nature and technology working together. We consistently process and repurpose the by-products from our production.
Bark becomes heat
Bark is another residual product. In the manufacture of paper, both chips, a residual product from the sawmill, and pulpwood, which consists among other things of thinned-out trees, are used. Before the wood is transferred to the pulping process, the bark is removed. At Braviken paper mill some of the bark is used for incineration, both to create the steam needed to dry the paper and also to dry sawn wood products in the adjacent sawmill. Any left-over bark is sold to heat and power plants and used for electricity and district heating. As a result, all bark is sold on and plays a key role in Sweden’s electricity system.
Sustainable processes matter for the future
Minimize climate impact by working with suppliers who take responsibility for sourcing, production, transport, waste and circularity. We do our utmost to always be better.
Facts about our forests
a long-term perspective and sustainability is key to Holmen. Developing sustainable forestry is an important cornerstone in a bio-based society.
Our forest managementWe contribute to a better climate
The forest is an invaluable resource that binds carbon and provides a renewable alternative to fossil material. Young, growing trees bind more carbon than old trees whose growth has slowed.
Better climateWhy can't the world use only recycled paper?
It may seem as if RCF, recycled fibre paper, is better than virgin fibre paper, but it’s incorrect. It depends on the specific process, location, products…
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