Melbourne Workshop Focuses on Decarbonization and Operational Improvements in Paper Industry

Group picture of the Energy Summit.

(IN BRIEF) Voith and Visy recently organized a two-day workshop in Melbourne focused on decarbonization in papermaking. The event brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss energy efficiency, cost savings, and operational improvements. Voith showcased its technologies and international perspectives on energy reduction in the paper industry, while Visy emphasized its decarbonization strategy. The workshop covered topics such as energy-saving opportunities, digital transformation, and water management concepts. The event aligns with Voith’s “Papermaking for Life” sustainability program, which promotes efficient and sustainable practices in papermaking.

(PRESS RELEASE) MELBOURNE, HEIDENHEIM, 17-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Voith Group, a German manufacturer of machines for the pulp and paper industry, partnered with Visy, a global packaging and resource recovery company, to organize a two-day workshop on decarbonization in papermaking in Melbourne last week. The event, supported by Appita, the prominent Australasian pulp and paper technical association, brought together industry leaders and experts to explore solutions and proven technologies for energy efficiency, cost savings, and operational improvements.

The workshop received a positive response, with Jean-Yves Nouaze, Executive General Manager at Visy Pulp & Paper, highlighting Visy’s commitment to decarbonization in his opening speech.

Throughout the event, Voith experts presented cutting-edge technologies and shared international perspectives that promote energy efficiency in papermaking. On the first day, Michael Weiss, CTO at Voith Paper, discussed ongoing research and development efforts at Voith Paper in decarbonization and energy consumption reduction, providing insights into the energy landscape of the German and European paper industry. Mark Grenning, Director of Policy and Regulation at the Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA), delivered a keynote speech on current developments and challenges in the Australian energy market for large energy users.

The second day featured Voith experts presenting opportunities for energy savings across Voith Paper’s full-line portfolio in a World Café format. Topics included efficient spare and wear parts packages, suitable service and maintenance concepts, energy consumption analysis, and audits. The session also covered the latest advancements in digital transformation and automation. Voith subsidiary Meri showcased efficient water management concepts that contribute to further resource savings.

The workshop aligned with Voith’s “Papermaking for Life” sustainability program, which focuses on developing innovative technologies and solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability in papermaking. The program emphasizes water, energy, and fiber savings, as well as digitalization, innovations, and partnerships as drivers for more sustainable production. It also highlights Voith’s commitment to sustainable practices across its global locations.

“We have a relentless focus on energy efficiency across our pulp and paper factories and developing our own energy supply through on-site clean energy plants. The Energy Summit is an important way for us to stay up to date with state-of-the-art solutions and proven technologies to further drive energy efficiency. By bringing experts together in one room, we have been able to generate new insights and share expertise,” commented Jean-Yves Nouaze, Executive General Manager at Visy Pulp & Paper.

“The Energy Summit builds on a very good partnership with Visy and is a great example of how we can work together to drive decarbonization and energy efficiency in paper manufacturing. With our holistic approach and forward-looking solutions, we are aiming for CO2-neutral production by 2030 and are committed to a sustainable future,” said Michael Weiss, CTO at Voith Paper.

“The Energy Summit was a remarkable platform for the exchange of innovative solutions and proven technologies. We also explored efficient rebuild concepts that make a significant contribution to sustainability in paper production. The event not only strengthened our very good partnership with Visy, but also helped to further drive our spare and wear parts business as well as service activities in the region,” added Dieter Wenninger, Regional President Products & Services Asia at Voith Paper.

For more information about the “Papermaking for Life” initiative, please visit: https://voith.com/Papermaking-for-Life/Energy