Forward‑looking research and networking in focus at IMPC 2024
A focus on research, the future and networking characterized the international conference IMPC 2024, which this year was organized by Mid Sweden University's research center FSCN.
The conference brought together 160 scientists, experts and representatives in the mechanical pulp industry, from Europe, Asia, North America and Oceania. Through the many presentations, participants gained an insight into the latest research on the raw material, with a focus on more efficient and environmentally sustainable development. Another important area was process optimization to get even more energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
"A lot is happening in research and industry that are going in the right direction for the industry and the future. It is a matter of adaptation for us who supply the equipment used by the pulp industry. How can we utilize and get the most out of the raw material and how to do that in an environmentally sustainable way are key questions," says Lars Eriksson, Global Technology Manager for Mechanical Pulp Production at Valmet.
Being able to meet at a conference like IMPC is important and helps to accelerate development," he says.
"We need to look ahead and a conference like this contributes to and strengthens that. What I take with me from the conference is how important it is that we cooperate on development issues," says Lars Eriksson.
It is important that research is gathered
He is supported by Jussi Lahti, Technology Manager for Mechanical Pulping at Andritz. Having the latest in research gathered and presented in this way means a lot for the development work.
"There have been very interesting keynote speeches and a very good overall experience from the conference. It's interesting to learn more about new products that will emerge and the discussions about raw materials," he says.
A piece of news that aroused his particular interest was research into the use of alternative raw materials such as bamboo to make pulp.
"We need more research on how to use all types of fibre materials and learn how to combine different materials. This will be an interesting research and development to follow," says Jussi Lahti.
Networking an important part
Even guests from far away were present at the conference. From New Zealand, both representatives of the country's pulp industry and researchers came. The domestic industry is limited, so networking and the opportunity to meet both researchers and industry representatives from the rest of the world is important, stated Carl McParland, Pulpmill Manager at Pan Pac Forest Products and Karl Murton, researcher at the New Zealand research centre Scion.
"It's interesting to see what's going on in other parts of the world and to meet both experts and industry representatives in the field. It's different from meeting people via Teams," says Carl McParland.
"Conferences of this kind provide a good insight into the latest developments. You discover new areas and return home to your colleagues with new knowledge about the latest achievements. What has come up during these days only confirms the need to continue moving forward towards more renewable products and more energy-efficient manufacturing to move in a more sustainable direction," says Karl Murton.