UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2018

Biofores ight

The chemical industry is faced with enormous challenges inmeeting the climate goals set by the European Commission and growing sustainability expectations. Firstly, fossil energy must be further reduced. Secondly, product sustainability must be improved, both during the product’s use and at the end of its lifespan. Last but not least, resource efficiency must be improved, rawmaterial consumption decreased, and ecologically harmful loss pathways must be minimised through the advancement of a stringent circular economy. However, something inextricably linked with the above challenges is oftentimes ignored: The chemical industry can only become a sustainable sector once it bids farewell for good to fossil rawmaterials such as crude oil, natural gas and coal, and uses nothing but renewable carbon as a rawmaterial in organic chemistry. The equivalent to decarbonisation in the energy sector is a transition to carbon from renewable sources in the chemical and plastics industries. All of the fossil carbon extracted from the ground will sooner or later be released into the atmosphere, with atmospheric CO 2 concentrations going up as a consequence. Only a full phaseout of fossil carbon will help to prevent a further increase in CO 2 concentrations. Three options There are only three sources of renewable carbon, and all three are essential for a complete transition to renewables. All three should be used by industry in roughly equal measures, which first requires support frompolitical decision-makers and acceptance by the population. The first option is renewable carbon obtained by recycling existing plastics and other organic chemistry products by means of mechanical and chemical recycling. The second option is renewable carbon gained from all types of biomass. The third is renewable carbon obtained fromdirect CO 2 utilisation of fossil point sources (while they still exist) as well as from permanently biogenous point sources and direct air capture. There are several political instruments andmeasures available to promote the chemical industry’s shift to renewable carbon through recycling, biomass and CO 2 utilisation. These include taxes levied on fossil fuels used as feedstock, higher costs for CO 2 emissions in the ETS framework, the requirement to report and set targets regarding renewable share in production, andminimum renewable quotas for drop-in polymers.  Renewable carbon – key to a sustainable chemical industry

England. James Cropper has been producing ‘poppy paper’ for over 40 years, though the mill began papermaking much earlier, in 1845. Members of the Cropper family are still involved in the business today, with Mark Cropper as the current chairman. James Cropper’s relationship with UPM stretches back over 100 years, when UPMKaukas first began supplying the mill with pulp. “We recognise the value of the relation­ ship and the quality whichwe both achieve in our businesses. We have taken our fibre management expertise, belief in innovation and focus on sustainability, to create new business alongside craftsman-led papermaking,” notes Phil Wild , CEO of James Cropper PLC. James Cropper’s new businesses include Technical Fibre Products, such as non-woven fabrics andmaterials used in aerospace, automotive and energy technologies. James Cropper’s 3D Products harness the company’s knowledge of colour production in the field of moulded fibre products as an alternative to plastic packaging. The latest addition to the portfolio is CupCycling™, building on the pioneering work of separating coffee cupmaterials and thus reducing landfill, as currently to the tune of around 2.5 billion cups are thrown away in the UK each year.

Kaleidoscope of colour Sustainability features prominently across the James Cropper range. The business offers alternatives to fossil-fuel derivedmaterials such as plastics, and they also provide lighter weight materials for better fuel efficiency in aircraft. “From our rawmaterials to our finished products, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. Efficient use of raw materials, recovery of fibre and replacing unsustainable materials is and will be our key focus,” adds Wild. The performance of themill’s coloured papers, such as the one used in the paper poppies, is something for which James Cropper is highly recognised. The specialist paper producer has over 12,000 different colour combinations available in its product library and a master colour blender who is able to differentiate between shades with the naked eye. Steve Adams , Managing Director of James Cropper Paper, believes that paper will retain a core role in society for a long time yet. “We’re seeing a resurgence in paper products. This year we’ve seen an increase in the purchase of printed books, as evenMillennials are turning away from the screen. Quality papers will always be in demand as personal interaction with the product becomes more sought after.” 

MICHAEL CARUS is a long-term advocate of what he calls the “Renewable Carbon Economy” and a pioneer of the bio- and CO 2 economy.

VOLUNTEERS ARE BUSY WITH making red paper poppies, a symbolic gesture of remembrance for fallen soldiers. THE JAMES CROPPER PAPER MILL is located in Burneside, on the edge of the British Lake District in northwest England. IN THIS SPECIAL centenary year 50 million paper poppies have been produced for the Poppy Appeal.

For further details, read the full report: www.bio-based.eu/nova-papers

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