ANDRITZ Unveils BioCircleToZero: Pioneering a Sustainable Revolution in Wood Valorization

ANDRITZ Unveils BioCircleToZero: Pioneering a Sustainable Revolution in Wood Valorization

(IN BRIEF) ANDRITZ has launched BioCircleToZero, an innovative R&D program aimed at doubling the value derived from wood without increasing tree harvesting. Supported by Business Finland’s 10 million-euro grant and an additional 20 million euros for its partners, the initiative will foster collaboration among over 100 Finnish companies, research institutes, and universities. The program focuses on developing advanced biorefinery technologies to produce high-value, biocarbon-based products while reducing waste and emissions. Over the next five years, investments in this ecosystem are expected to surpass 100 million euros. CEO Kari Tuominen emphasized that BioCircleToZero will enable the forest products industry to drive the green transition, improve resource efficiency, and secure a competitive edge by advancing zero-waste production methods and leveraging new technologies such as Power-to-X.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRAZ, 26-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ANDRITZ is set to revolutionize the forest products industry with the launch of its ambitious research and development initiative, BioCircleToZero. This groundbreaking program is designed to double the economic value extracted from wood while preserving forest resources by eliminating the need for additional tree harvesting. Backed by a significant investment from Business Finland—granting ANDRITZ 10 million euros and an extra 20 million euros to partners—the project marks a strategic push toward enhancing resource efficiency and sustainability across Finland’s forest sector.

Under the BioCircleToZero program, ANDRITZ will spearhead a wide-ranging collaboration with over 100 partners, including leading companies, research institutes, and universities across Finland. The initiative aims to drive innovation in advanced biorefinery technologies that produce high-value, biocarbon-based products while minimizing waste and emissions. Over the next five years, the total investment in ecosystem projects, inclusive of Business Finland funding, is expected to exceed 100 million euros.

“Our commitment at ANDRITZ is to empower the forest products industry to lead the green transition without compromising competitiveness,” said Kari Tuominen, CEO of ANDRITZ Oy in Finland. “With our extensive expertise in technology for the pulp and paper industry—and with our growing portfolio in areas like Power-to-X, renewable textile fibers, sustainable fuels, and biobased chemicals—we are uniquely positioned to drive this transformation.”

The program focuses on several key areas: developing innovative wood-based products, integrating process technologies to optimize side stream utilization, and advancing production methods toward zero-waste and zero-emission outcomes. A particular emphasis is placed on leveraging pulp mills as sources of biogenic carbon dioxide for Power-to-X applications, which will help decarbonize challenging sectors. By maximizing the value from every tree, BioCircleToZero aims to set a new standard for sustainability and economic resilience in the forest products industry.

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ provides advanced plants, equipment, services, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries, including pulp and paper, metals, hydropower, environmental, and others. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in Austria, the publicly listed group employs about 30,000 people at 280 locations in over 80 countries.

As a global leader in technology and innovation, ANDRITZ is committed to fostering progress that benefits customers, partners, employees, society, and the environment. The company’s growth is driven by sustainable solutions enabling the green transition, advanced digitalization for highest industrial performance, and comprehensive services that maximize the value of customers’ plants over their entire life cycle. ANDRITZ. FOR GROWTH THAT MATTERS.

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