ANDRITZ Partners with Ekolution to Boost Production of Eco-Friendly Hemp Materials at New Swedish Facility

ANDRITZ hemp decortication line in operation at Ekolution © Ekolution

(IN BRIEF) ANDRITZ has commissioned an advanced teXline bast fiber line at Ekolution’s new facility in Malmö, Sweden, designed to boost production of environmentally friendly hemp fibers and nonwoven felts. The equipment will process industrial hemp through decortication and refining, supported by a neXline airlay line for nonwoven felt production. Ekolution’s CEO, Remi Loren, emphasized how this collaboration supports their green building materials mission, aiding in sustainability and resource efficiency. ANDRITZ’s machinery operates with low energy use and a small land footprint, contributing to a carbon-negative production process. Ekolution, which has been producing hemp-based solutions since 2013, is recognized for its carbon-negative hemp fiber insulation and its role in high-profile projects, such as the world’s largest logistics center in Stockholm using hemp fiber insulation. Beyond construction, Ekolution’s products serve multiple industries where sustainable, natural fibers are in demand.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRAZ, 27-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A cutting-edge teXline bast fiber line has been successfully commissioned by international technology group ANDRITZ at Ekolution’s newly established facility in Malmö, Sweden. The installation will significantly enhance Ekolution’s capacity to produce eco-friendly hemp fibers and nonwoven felts crafted from industrial hemp. This investment includes state-of-the-art equipment for hemp decortication and refining, as well as a neXline airlay line designed to manufacture nonwoven felts.

According to Remi Loren, CEO of Ekolution, “As a leading company in sustainable building materials, we are proud to offer insulation and nonwoven products that are bio-based, carbon-negative, and energy-efficient. ANDRITZ’s technology plays a crucial role in helping us meet our sustainability goals by maximizing the use of raw materials while minimizing resource consumption. We are confident in ANDRITZ’s ongoing support in optimizing our operations through their expertise in service and digitalization.”

The ANDRITZ system, designed to produce hemp fiber free from impurities through a gentle process, boasts compact machinery that requires minimal space and operates with low energy consumption. The decortication and refining equipment is capable of processing up to 5 tons of feedstock per hour, generating premium fibers. These fibers will then be directed into a neXline airlay flexiloft+ line, capable of producing up to 1.5 tons of nonwoven felts per hour, catering to a variety of applications.

Francis-Elias Junker, Sales Area Manager for ANDRITZ’s Nonwovens & Textile division, comments, “This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering sustainable and circular technologies that foster the green transition. We are proud to contribute to Ekolution’s vision of sustainability.”

Founded in Sweden in 2013, Ekolution has built a strong reputation for developing bio-based building materials from hemp grown on its own plantations. The company’s hemp fiber insulation is the first to earn an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), affirming its carbon-negative status—more CO2 is sequestered in the hemp than is emitted during production. Ekolution’s hemp-based solutions have been utilized in the construction of a high-tech logistics center in Stockholm, a landmark project that stands as the world’s largest building using hemp fiber insulation. Beyond the construction sector, Ekolution’s products are also suitable for use in industries such as automotive, textiles, furniture, acoustics, packaging, and pulp and paper, meeting the growing demand for sustainable, natural fibers.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems, services and digital solutions for a wide range of industries and end markets. Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s business strategy and corporate culture. With its extensive portfolio of sustainable products and solutions, ANDRITZ aims to make the greatest possible contribution to a sustainable future and help its customers achieve their sustainability goals. ANDRITZ is a global market leader in all four of its business areas – Pulp & Paper, Metals, Hydropower and Environment & Energy. Technological leadership and global presence are cornerstones of the group’s strategy, which is focused on long-term profitable growth. The publicly listed group has around 30,000 employees and over 280 locations in more than 80 countries.

ANDRITZ PULP & PAPER
ANDRITZ Pulp & Paper provides sustainable technology, automation, and service solutions for the production of all types of pulp, paper, board and tissue. The technologies and services focus on increased production efficiency, lower overall operating costs as well as innovative decarbonization strategies and autonomous plant operation.

The product portfolio also includes boilers for power generation, various nonwoven technologies, and panelboard (MDF) production systems. With waste-to-value recycling, shredding and energy solutions, waste and by-product streams from production are converted into valuable secondary raw materials as well as into sustainable resources for energy generation. State-of-the-art IIoT technologies as part of Metris digitalization solutions complete the comprehensive product offering.

Media Contact:

Susan Trast
HEAD OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
susan.trast@andritz.com

SOURCE: ANDRITZ