Millions to manure for fast-growing forests

Photo: Paper Province

The enriched biocarbon is produced from sludge from the pulp and paper mill's water purification. The enriched biocarbon is produced from sludge from the pulp and paper mill's water purification.

Recent research made at the University of Karlstad in Sweden shows that pine planted in soil with enriched biocarbon grows better. The result is a potential fertilizer for the forest.

“The fertilizers used in the Swedish forest today require a lot of energy in the production. We want powerful fertilizers without producing so much carbon dioxide”, says Emil Mattsson at Swedish forest owner Mellanskog.

“Our landowners are interested in a really strong plant. We want a fertilizer that is both economical and good for the environment”.

The research project has been ongoing since the end of 2018 and is a collaboration between among others Karlstad University, Stora Enso, Karlstad Municipality, Mellanskog, Econova and Paper Province.

”Stora Enso wants to do good things both for the environment and the economy. Sustainability focus is a must for a modern group with environmentally conscious customers. It is a waste of resources not to take advantage of the residual currents. We want to close the cycle and at the same time reduce the cost of by-products”, says Margareta Sandström, environmental manager at Stora Enso.

The enriched biocarbon is produced from sludge from the pulp and paper mill’s water purification. Mixed with ash from the biofuel boiler and nitrogen from a municipal treatment plant, the biocarbon becomes a fertilizer.

The next step is to use enriched bio carbon at Stora Enso seedlings. The plants will then be planted in the forest outside Karlstad. There, the researchers will have the opportunity to follow how the future trees grow.

 

Paper Province is a world-leading business cluster within the forest bio-economy. The cluster is based in Karlstad, Sweden, and mainly operates in the province of Värmland and the surrounding area, but also nationally and globally. Together with our member companies we work towards sustainable development with focus on innovation, skilled work force, internationalization and regional mobilization.