• Customers gain valuable insights into technology advancements and industry perspectives through sustainability-focused reports.
• The series explores strategies to help mills cut carbon emissions and enhance resource efficiency, featuring contributions from leading industry players sharing best practices.

ABB has introduced a new series of industry papers under its global Real Progress sustainability initiative for process industries, showcasing advancements in pulp and paper. This three-part series highlights the sector’s journey towards sustainability, emphasizing customer contributions to a greener value chain. The reports focus on leveraging electrification and automation technologies to drive a resource-efficient future.

The first report, “Innovating for Tomorrow: How the Pulp and Paper Industry is Turning the Page for a Sustainable Future,” underscores the sector’s pivotal role in building a more sustainable world. The subsequent papers in the series are scheduled for release in early 2025.

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This inaugural publication includes insights from industry leaders like Metsä Group, Metsäteollisuus, Modellfabrik Papier, Sappi, Smurfit Westrock, Södra, and UPM China. These organizations highlight groundbreaking initiatives, such as Smurfit Westrock’s development of paper-based alternatives to plastic and Södra’s creation of renewable textile fibers from recycled materials.

Amidst global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and the plastic overproduction crisis, the pulp and paper industry emerges as a key driver in the transition to a circular economy and a net-zero future. Innovations in the value chain are fostering sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel-based products and supporting industrial decarbonization efforts.

“The pulp and paper industry is uniquely positioned to spearhead sustainable industrial transformation,” stated Stefano Cinquina, Global Business Line Manager for Pulp and Paper at ABB Process Industries. “This series celebrates the remarkable progress of our partners while inspiring others by showcasing real-world solutions advancing us toward a sustainable future.”

Tracy Wessels, Group Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations at Sappi, highlighted their commitment:
“Sustainability is deeply embedded in our operations—it’s integral to our value proposition. With consumers increasingly aware of the environmental impact of plastic, we see sustainable packaging as a major opportunity. We’re collaborating with research institutes and customers to innovate paper-based solutions that match plastic’s barrier technology, offering products that truly benefit the world.”

Jurgita Girzadiene, Sustainability and Better Planet Packaging Director at Smurfit Westrock, emphasized the value of collaboration:
“In paper-based packaging, continuous innovation in resource reuse is crucial. Often, finding synergies requires looking beyond your mill, company, or community. Our decentralized approach, ‘think global, act local,’ empowers our teams to innovate locally while aligning with global goals.”

For over 70 years, ABB has supported the pulp and paper industry with automation, digitalization, and electrification solutions. These technologies drive productivity, optimize energy use, and minimize waste, enabling companies to achieve measurable progress in sustainability. From advanced process control to predictive maintenance, ABB solutions help streamline operations while fostering resource efficiency.

ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, connects engineering and digitalization expertise to drive high-performance, sustainable industries. With over 140 years of innovation and 105,000 employees worldwide, ABB continues to lead in enabling a resource-efficient future. The company’s shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).

The ABB Process Automation division supports industrial operations by automating, electrifying, and digitalizing essential processes—from energy supply to production and transportation. With approximately 20,000 employees, ABB Process Automation delivers cleaner, leaner operations to industries worldwide.