Beyond borders for circularity
In a circular economy, the waste from one process can be converted into higher value products and solutions. By reaching beyond borders, we can find new alternatives to generate new value.
Imagine a world where waste is a thing of the past, where every product and material is given a new life, and where the concept of "throwing away" is obsolete. In a circular economy, products, components, and materials remain in a continuous cycle instead of being discarded. This can be achieved by reducing the initial need for raw materials, circulating materials longer in the process, recycling used materials, and prolonging the lifetime of production equipment through well-planned maintenance.
This principle has become more and more topical in the process industries in recent years. Valmet and the entire pulp and paper industry have been at the forefront of driving circularity through the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle for decades. In this issue of Forward magazine, you can read how these principles are implemented in our various references around the world. Through process optimization, automation significantly contributes to this development.
In the best case, the waste from one process can be converted into higher value products and solutions. A great example of this is showcased by Meliora Bio ApS: they upcycle crop residues from wheat straw to produce second-generation bioethanol, prebiotic dietary fibers, and lignin using Valmet’s BioTrac technology.
At Valmet, we have always designed our products for a long lifetime and easy maintenance. We have executed several fuel conversions for power plants and grade changes for paper machines. One of these cases, Cascades Containerboard Packaging, is also featured in this magazine.
By reaching beyond borders, we can find new alternatives to generate new value. Let’s join forces across the value chain to make such innovations a reality!
SUSANNA SALMENPÄÄ
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF