German paper manufacturer WEPA is introducing two new raw material innovations as part of the fiber concept within its sustainability strategy. Firstly, fibers extracted from recycled cardboard, which can be made into particularly soft and durable hygiene paper products through an innovative production process. Secondly, a raw material innovation based on Miscanthus, one of the most sustainable primary fibers in the world, which is so far not used by any other manufacturer for the production of hygiene paper.
For the switch to the processing of fibers from miscanthus, Wepa is investing several million euros in a new production line at the Dutch factory in Swalmen, Limburg. In the long term, the manufacturer expects to need 1.000 hectares of miscanthus to supply sufficient raw material. The company Cradle Crops will contract this area and coordinate the cultivation and harvest of miscanthus, mainly in Zeeland and North Brabant.
This week, Wepa presented the new product line of toilet paper and hygiene wipes based on miscanthus as a sustainable fiber source to customers in Westdorpe, Zeeland. "For us, Miscanthus is an alternative to wood fibers," says Erik van Hoof, process technologist at Wepa. 'The advantage is that fiber production is 30 percent higher than in forestry. Miscanthus also captures four times as much CO2.'
Growing without chemicals
Arable farmer Filip Baecke explained the cultivation. He has more than ten years of experience with miscanthus and is pleased that the paper industry is now using the fibers on a large scale. 'We grow completely without chemicals and can harvest the crop for at least twenty years. This biobased application only makes the prospects for miscanthus even more attractive.'
Background Miscanthus:
Miscanthus is a renewable, natural raw material rich in cellulose. The plants are grown locally without fertilization, irrigation or the use of pesticides and grow to their full size every year for about 20 years. The soil is only disturbed during the annual harvest, but not throughout the year, which means that the soil structure improves over the years. The demands that the plant makes on the soil are very low and the soil is not depleted. Also due to its very high yield per unit area, Miscanthus has a lower ecological footprint than primary wood-based fibers.
Source: New harvest
