Q&A with Program Coordinator Alina Ruonala-Lindgren
Q: Can you summarize what has happened in the first year of the Emission Free Pulping program?
A: We officially started the program at the beginning of 2024, so we now have one year behind us. We have 17 partners, which include seven companies and ten research organizations and universities. From the coordinator’s perspective, the first priority was ensuring that the program launched successfully and that research projects could begin. Initially, no researchers had been hired, so we had to recruit them.
The first half of the year was dedicated to defining the research agenda and hiring the right experts to carry out the work. Financially, we have strong support from Business Finland, and the partners have contributed to the program. In Sweden, we are still awaiting the public sector funding decision.
Looking ahead, research is now actively underway, and we expect to see more results emerge this year. A crucial goal is fostering collaboration among researchers to maximize the program’s success.
Q: What was the guiding vision when deciding on the research topics?
A: The research topics were proposed by university professors. There are two key goals: each project must contribute to making pulp production emission-free and increase product yield. We focus on new chemical processes that improve efficiency while minimizing energy use—particularly avoiding the need to burn wood. The chosen projects must also prioritize sustainability and non-hazardous chemistry. While economic feasibility is important as we are targeting creating solutions interesting in industrial scale, it is not our primary concern at this stage; that will come later. Our main focus is on balancing product yield, emissions reduction, and energy efficiency.
Q: Were there any surprises when research proposals started coming in?
A: As someone without a pulping background, I found it fascinating to revisit fundamental concepts. A major surprise was the range of innovative chemical and mechanical treatments proposed. Another unexpected aspect was the focus on new analytical methods. It turns out that we still don’t fully understand the structure of wood at a cellular level. When I studied in the 1990s, we believed we had a solid understanding of wood’s structure, but today’s research is proving otherwise. Since our goal is to selectively impact wood cell structures, gaining deeper insights into them is crucial.
Q: Many researchers appreciate that the industry is funding fundamental science in this program. How did you get industry engaged in supporting this kind of research?
A: Traditionally, companies are not involved in fundamental research at this scale. However, the industry is facing a significant challenge: a potential shortage of wood, the need for far greater resource efficiency and decreased emissions. Companies realized that small, incremental improvements wouldn’t be enough to address these issues. This is a problem that no single company or organization can solve alone—it requires collaboration across the industry and research sector. That understanding helped bring companies on board.
It is a significant investment for them, both financially and in terms of resources. We are very grateful for their willingness to engage in a long-term partnership in fundamental research, even knowing it won’t necessarily produce immediate industry-ready solutions. However, we are committed to ensuring that the results remain relevant and can be developed into practical applications in the future.
Q: How will the research results be shared? Is there a framework for dissemination?
A: Yes, we have a clear framework. All results from the program will be published. This includes conference presentations, posters, and, ultimately, scientific articles. Since we have many PhD students and postdoctoral researchers involved, publishing in peer-reviewed journals is a key objective.
Q: When do you expect the first publications to be released?
A: We anticipate the first publications this year. Some researchers are already preparing to present findings at conferences this summer, which is very exciting.
Q: Are there any research projects or themes that particularly excite you?
A: Rather than highlighting a single project, I’m most excited about the collaborative aspect of the program. Different research teams are focusing on concepts, analytics, and chemical recovery—assessing the feasibility of new approaches. Another exciting area is the use of artificial intelligence in research, particularly in the biomaterials field. Since those projects are just beginning, we can’t discuss results yet, but they are definitely areas to watch.
Q: How many projects and researchers are currently involved? What is the target?
A: We currently have 25 researchers working on 23 projects. Our target is around 30 researchers, so we are close to reaching that goal. If we secure Swedish funding, we can fully reach that target. The program is designed to run for at least five years, but as long as there are enough partners, we aim to continue. There are already emerging areas of interest that could lead to new projects in the future.
Q: How significant is it to have 30 researchers working on this program?
A: It is a relatively large effort, especially within the pulping industry, which is traditionally quite conservative. We have the world's leading research organizations in pulping participating in this program, making us globally unique and highly credible with industry steering the work. I am not aware of any other similar-scale research initiatives in this field worldwide so we can expect a lot from this. While large EU projects involve many partners across countries, this program’s focused approach on emission-free pulping makes it particularly impactful.
Q: What is the current funding level?
A: Business Finland has provided 5,1 million €, and with contributions from industry partners and other funding sources, we have reached over 10 million € in total. If Sweden provides the applied €4 million. We expect the total funding will be around 15-20 million euros for five years. We are also open to new partners joining, which would further increase our research capabilities.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to emphasize?
A: I want to express my gratitude to the forest industry and the participating companies for their open-mindedness and commitment. It is rare for fundamental research to receive this level of industry support, and their engagement is truly remarkable. This collaboration presents a unique opportunity to drive meaningful advancements in sustainable pulping.
