Renewable Bioproducts Institute Hosts APPTI Workshop on Decarbonizing the Pulp and Paper Sector

The Georgia Tech Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) hosted the APPTI Net Zero Workshop on Decarbonizing the Pulp & Paper Sector during the second week of August.

Over 40 participants from more than 20 organizations participated in the event aimed to educate the pulp, paper, and tissue manufacturing community on current decarbonization technologies ready for immediate deployment, while also exploring the investments needed for future breakthrough innovations. 

The workshop kicked off with an overview of APPTI by Chris Luettgen, managing director of APPTI and RBI's lead for process efficiency and intensification of pulp paper packaging & tissue manufacturing. Presentations and discussions revolved around three focus areas for decarbonization--Carbon Capture and Beneficial Use; Biogas Generation from Waste Streams; and Lime Kiln Alternatives to Fossil Fuels. Presenters and panelists consisted of members from the Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), academia (North Carolina State University, Abo Academy, University of Toronto, University of Minnesota), and industry (Veolia, Valmet, Metso, FPInnovations, Nexight, Beck and Associates). 

RBI’s  Carson Meredith, Valerie Thomas, and Cyrus Aidun were among the presenters. Meredith presented his research on felt design to prevent re-wet, while Thomas’ talk was on the topic, life cycle assessment: meeting policy benchmarks for decarbonization, and Aidun presented his work on multi-phase forming.  

The workshop concluded with the net zero committee discussing key takeaways from the workshop and potential for a life cycle assessment on the paper industry.

“The outcome of this two-day workshop is a strong feeling about the work RBI and APPTI are doing for the industry. The feedback I received was all very positive,” said Luettgen.