The Energy First project, a new effort of the Finnish VTT Technical Research Centre, aims to address resource and energy consumption issues in the textile and forestry industries. The goal of this program is to leverage cutting-edge technology to create items made of recyclable, low-carbon, and energy-efficient fibers.
According to Statista Market Insights and eMarketer, the need for fiber-based packaging will increase by 5–10% a year as the world’s e-commerce market grows. In order to satisfy this increasing demand, the Energy First initiative aims to produce high-quality, readily recyclable packaging while drastically lowering its carbon footprint. VTT’s research is expected to drive a shift in the non-woven sector away from plastic-based products and toward alternatives made of cellulose. “This project is a vital step toward the production of fiber-based products that are more sustainable. Atte Virtanen, Vice President of Biomaterial Processing and Products at VTT, stated, “With more than 50 industrial partners, we are driving innovation towards a sustainable future and paving the way for energy-efficient paper board production.”
Because the items created under this program are made to work with current recycling systems, they provide a sustainable substitute for reusable packaging. The project also complies with the EU’s impending packaging requirements, which place a strong emphasis on recyclable, sustainable bio-based solutions.
