Valmet’s Tissue Technology Award 2018 goes to Björn Sjöstrand, Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at Karlstad University, for his research and development of computer models for energy efficient tissue production. The winner was announced by His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip, at the Tissue Making Conference in Karlstad.

The research group NewDeP consists of five researchers and has been working on pellet research since 2001. The research encompasses how renewable material can become a high-quality pelleted product, in a sustainable and energy efficient way.

We work within the paradigm of a circular forest based bioeconomy using a system analysis perspective.

The research focus on low value sidestreams. Our primary focus is the water-energy nexus on the downstream of the pulp and paper mill. Wastewater treatment consumes energy, but wastewater can also be looked upon as a source of energy and raw materials, if one avails of available technological solutions.

We have pursued drying-related research and development since 1989. We have experience of the drying of biomass, paper, crops, and clothes, and we are constantly in the process of extending and deepening the knowledge of drying-related research and development.

The group´s research is focusing on processing of raw materials with biological origin, which can be further processed into a large number of technically useful products.