Professor awarded for research on CTMP
Thomas Granfeldt, professor at FSCN, has been awarded the Arne Asplund Mechanical Pulping Foundation for his many years of research into how to use hardwood in CTMP processes, i.e. for the chemical-mechanical production of paper and board pulp.
"I am of course very touched and happy to receive the award – to receive it was not in the cards! I have worked for a long time with research and development both in industry and in a research context, and it has always been an intensive teamwork with many different actors involved," says Thomas Granfeldt.
The many years he has spent on this research is also something that the foundation's selection committee, which consists of external international researchers from different scientific contexts, points out in its motivation.
The use of hardwood in pulp production is not widespread in Sweden, although it is increasing. But especially in Asia, there has been a huge new establishment of hardwood-based CTMP for different board qualities.
In Thomas Granfeldt's research, the focus from the early 1980s has been on pulp from hardwood and especially from birch, but it is not until recent years that the industry, through the process development that has taken place, has realized the potential of using birch and other hardwood varieties with high density to manufacture CTMP for use in the middle layer of carton. It requires a material that has a high bulk and at the same time sufficiently good strength properties.
Potential for mixed forests
Thomas Granfeldt's interest in researching the properties of hardwood and developing the process of pulp production has been Thomas Granfeldt's driving force. But over time, an insight has also come to the environmental potential of manufacturing products from pulp from hardwood.
"If we see that we can use hardwood in the pulp industry, I hope we can see the value of the mixed forest that benefits biodiversity and many red-listed species. In monocultures, there is a limitation of diversity. If we can let nature take care of itself as much as possible, it will be best. It has a fantastic ability to regulate itself," he says.
The prize will be awarded at the IMPC conference held in Sundsvall from 27 to 29 May.
Motivation of the selection committee:
Over the past four decades, Thomas Granfeldt has made significant contributions to high-yield pulp research. His common thread has consistently been CTMP processes based on hardwood.
Thomas' understanding of the delicate balance between wood chip impregnation, refining strategy and peroxide bleaching has allowed him to demonstrate how to produce CTMP from hardwood for various end-uses at the lowest investment and production costs. The combination of impregnation chemistry, chip refining strategies and peroxide bleaching enables the production of high-bulk hardwood CTMP, while maintaining high lightness. Such masses are of particular interest in the production of multilayer board.
A key to his success is also an in-depth understanding of the necessity of multi-stage washing in the CTMP process. He has identified the optimal placement of this technology in the process design to minimize both investment and production costs.
Thomas graduated from Chalmers University of Technology in 1982 as a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. After a few years of postgraduate studies at the university, he worked in various positions within Sunds Defibrator AB, Metso AB and Valmet AB until the end of 2021. Since 2012, he has been an adjunct professor at Mid Sweden University.