Netherlands-based Van Houtum opened a new production line - the omnivorous Omnipulper. This production line uses beverage cartons as a raw material for producing toilet paper and paper towels.
Managing Director Bas Gehlen said: “This is a major strategic investment which anticipates future scarcity of recovered paper as a raw material for our production.”
Company's search for alternative raw materials led them to beverage cartons and elephant grass as possible candidates.
“However designing a process for removing food residues from the beverage cartons and also cleaning the recovered plastic and aluminium to a standard suitable for re-use was a complex technical challenge. It took us two years,” says Bas Gehlen.
The material preparation line was developed under the supervision of Senior Process Technologist Eric van Hoof in close collaboration with SUEZ Nederland and Stichting Hedra.
SUEZ Nederland has constructed a large sorting system to separate beverage cartons from recovered plastic waste while Stichting Hedra, the industry association for the beverage carton producers, has set up a national campaign aimed at motivating the general public to collect beverage cartons for recycling.
The Netherlands-based Van Houtum supplies hygienic paper and innovative solutions for better toilet hygiene in combination with exceptional environmental performance.
