Global hygiene and health company Essity is investing around SEK 400 million ($41.5 million) in an integrated facility for the production of pulp based on alternative fibre from plant-based agricultural by-products. The investment is taking place at Essity’s tissue plant in Mannheim, Germany. Production is expected to commence in the second half of 2020.

 

“Essity has signed a license agreement securing exclusive rights to a new proprietary technology to produce pulp from alternative fibre that will have the same quality as conventional wood-based pulp at a competitive cost. The source of the fibre is agricultural by-products such as wheat straw which is often made into compost or incinerated,” the company said in a press release.

 

Essity, one of the world’s largest tissue manufacturers, is now evaluating the integration of this alternative fibre as a complement to fresh and recovered fibre as raw material in its production.

 

The process will enable a reduction in the use of water, energy and chemicals while the by-product of the integrated pulping process can be further refined to serve as a substitute for oil-based chemicals. 

 

“To support our sustainability ambitions, we continuously assess new production methods. This is one example of how innovation can contribute to a sustainable and circular society,” said Magnus Groth, president and CEO of Essity. (RKS)