Agricultural straw moving from fields to research labs: OutNature and LEIPA explore novel ways with straw fibers
In a groundbreaking move, OutNature, a brand of environmental services provider PreZero, is partnering with LEIPA, a European corporate group and a cornerstone of the circular economy, to build a new straw fiber production facility at the LEIPA paper mill in Schwedt/Oder, Germany.
The new facility, set to be part of a two-stage investment project, will utilize straw fibers as a raw material, marking another sales market for farmers in northeastern Germany. This innovative approach is expected to create environmentally friendly papers and packaging solutions, aligning with LEIPA's passion for environmentally friendly processes and technologies.
The core component of the straw fiber production facility consists of a BioTrac plant from Valmet. OutNature, a pioneer in utilizing the Perennial Sunflower as an alternative raw material source for the paper industry, believes that straw fibers will enable the replacement of fresh wood fibers and, thanks to their excellent strength properties, contribute to the production of comparable paper qualities.
The first market-ready product to be produced using straw fibers will be a white coated Kraftliner replacement. Test results show that the strength properties of straw fibers significantly exceed those of waste paper, indicating a promising future for this sustainable alternative.
LEIPA, an owner-managed and independent family business with over 175 years of history, processes over a million tons of waste paper annually at the Schwedt/Oder site. The new straw fiber production facility will be used in combination with waste paper at the site, a testament to LEIPA's commitment to the circular economy.
OutNature's experts are not limiting their research to paper applications. They are also exploring additional uses for natural fibers, aiming to further reduce the reliance on non-renewable resources.
The market entry of the new paper product with straw fibers is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. For more information about LEIPA, visit www.leipa.com. For more information about OutNature, visit www.out-nature.de. For more information about PreZero, visit the Press Portal at www.prezero.com/press.
Hempelmann Plant Solutions initiated the collaboration with LEIPA for the establishment of a new shred wool fiber production plant in Schwedt/Oder. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of these companies to sustainable and innovative solutions in the paper industry.
Moreover, OutNature is a part of the toMOORow initiative for peatland restoration and the utilization of peat biomass as an additional renewable resource. The use of straw fibers offers numerous advantages for fiber production, as it does not require additional cultivation areas and its cultivation in Germany contributes to short transport routes, reducing emissions.
This collaboration between OutNature and LEIPA is a significant step towards a more sustainable paper industry, demonstrating the potential of alternative raw materials and the power of partnerships in driving positive change.
Read also:
- Increase in Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Across U.S., But Is It Sufficient?
- The current status of green hydrogen for developing countries following the wave of hype: Assessment of remains
- Rapid Growth in Bio-based Polypropylene Sector Anticipated at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 26.5% by 2034
- Potential Fire Hazards in U.S Power Grids Due to Artificial Intelligence Data Facilities
