Optimized drying for increased recycling of paper fibers

Zaeem Aman’s research focuses on how paper fibers degrade during drying, a process known as hornification. Hornification causes recycled fibers to lose strength and therefore prevents them from being reused as many times, limiting the potential for a circular bioeconomy.

In a collaboration between Karlstad University and Rottneros, the mechanisms behind hornification and how drying processes—including rapid drying—can be optimized are being studied. The aim is to improve fiber quality and energy efficiency, reduce the need for virgin fibers, and thereby decrease both the pressure on forestry and the environmental impact of paper production.

The EXACT Industrial Graduate School is funded through grants from the Knowledge Foundation (KK Foundation).