Pulp and paper
Global production leadership
The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of virgin wood pulp and the second largest producer of paper and packaging products.
#1
Virgin wood pulp producer
#2
Paper and packaging producer
Heat-intensive manufacturing processes
Paper production is heat intensive, mainly due to the large amounts of water that must be evaporated in drying pulp, paper, tissue and packaging products. The energy use varies by product type and whether the manufacturing processes are separated or integrated.
For example, integrated mills use recovery boilers for steam production from biomass for electrical and process heating, while regenerating the used cooking chemicals and minimizing waste. The temperature can vary widely from less than 200°C for drying operations, to about 500°C for boilers and 800°C or higher in lime kiln operations.
Paper machine drying technologies
In paper mills, the drying section of the paper machine is the highest thermal energy consumer with many complex configurations such as multi-cylinder dryers (steam cans) for paper and packaging grade drying; Yankee and through-air dryers for tissue and towel products; and air caps and infrared dryers for coated paper drying.
Sawmill kiln operations
Sawmills often use kilns to remove moisture from within timber to prevent shrinking or swelling during the manufacturing process. However, many kilns use steam-based boilers to create the heat for the drying process, consuming large amounts of energy.
EPIXC’s impact on paper manufacturing
Through existing and emerging advanced electrified and hybrid process heating technologies, EPIXC is well positioned to advance the competitiveness of U.S. pulp and paper production, reduce manufacturing costs, improve product quality, enable broader heat process technology choices and provide transparent, impartial systems-level analysis to inform technology readiness and adoption decisions. EPIXC works with established pulp and paper manufacturers as well as electrification and hybrid technology developers to drive energy efficiency and other benefits.
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