Research projects 2018

Cellulose based films as barrier material

 

PhD student

Malin From Nouryon

Description

The wood fiber contains the polymer cellulose (long molecular chain). If cellulose molecules are dissolved and regenerated the resulting film is quite similar to traditional plastic, but the raw material is bio based and renewable. The molecular chain can be modified with different side groups which will result in different properties in the regenerated film, for example can the material go from brittle to elastic, and from a material that acts as a gas membrane to one that can hold gas for a long time. With some modifications cellulose could most likely replace traditional plastic in the application it is used for today.

The objective of the PhD project is to understand how cellulose is dissolved and regenerated into films and how that influences the mechanical and barrier properties, it is also to know how to tailor cellulose molecules with different side groups to receive the desired properties of the films. What furthermore is interesting is how the properties alter with an elevated temperature, as not all traditional plastic are used in room temperature, so that will be included in the project as well. This will be achieved with small scale laboratory work to manufacture cellulose films and with small scale characterization at Mid Sweden University.


A film of pure cellulose placed over a pen, the film is transparent and slightly bendable.

Co-production

AkzoNobel

Supervisors

Prof. Håkan Edlund
Prof. Magnus Norgren
Dr. Ida Svanedal

New use of bio sludge from pulp and paper industry

PhD Student

Robert Norgren, Ragn-Sells AB

Description

Develop method to use sludge as fertilizer for energy crops and utilize these to clean soiled land. The project will start with LCA-studies.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentitate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on biomaterials and bioenergy.

Adjunct Supervisor

Olof Björkqvist

Methane measurement system and analysis

PhD Student

Bakram Gaynullin, SenseAir AB

Description

The project focus on the development of low cost measurement systems for detection of greenhouse gases, such as methane, from ground emission and storage of bio sludge.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on optical measurement systems.

Main Supervisor

Göran Thungström

Adjunct Supervisor

Claes Mattsson

Microbial fatty acid for HVO diesel

PhD Student

Shiromini Gamage Colabitoil

Description

Objective to develop a bio catalytic process for the microbial fatty acid production that suitable for HVO diesel and optimize efficient and economic method of extraction & separation of fatty acids for industrial scale application.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meeting with focus on catalytic processes in renewable diesel production and separation/ extraction methods of organic molecules.

Main Supervisor

Prof. Erik Hedenström

Adjunct Supervisors

Erika Wallin
Feixiang Long

Development of strong and water resistant packaging materials from high yield pulps

 

PhD Student

Tove Joelsson MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB

Description

As paper materials are biologically degradable and wood fibre resources are renewable compared to plastics, there is no doubt that the change to paper based materials is important. This is the reason for making efforts in research and development, with the objective to optimize physical properties such as dry and wet strength of wood fibre based materials to match the expectations for packaging materials and bags. 

This work is focused on hot-pressing technique that has shown positive effects on strength properties for paper sheets based on lignin-rich pulp. The main issues in my study are fundamental aspects on the densification, comparing pulp qualities and optimizing conditions and materials.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on mechanical pulp and papermaking processes, and on chemical and physical properties on paper based packaging materials.

This project is financially supported by Kempe Foundation, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB Sandvik Process Systems and the Swedish Knowledge Foundation, Mid Sweden University.

Main Supervisor

Prof. Per Engstrand, FSCN

Adjunct Supervisor

Dr. Gunilla Pettersson FSCN and Anna Svedberg, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB

Forestry supply chains

 

PhD Student

Johanna Enström Skogforsk

Description

Developing methods and models to describe and analyze supply chain strategies within the forestry supply chain with focus on energy products.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on forestry supply chains.

Main Supervisor

Aron Larsson

Adjunct Supervisor

Leif Olsson

Industrial adapted production of different types of nanocellulose materials optimized for increased strength for packaging- and printed paper

 

PhD Student

Licentiate Tommy Nordin MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB

Description

One of the potential applications of MFC, CNC and NFC in large volume is to use it as strength additives in paper and paperboard products that in most cases consist of mixtures of mechanical and chemical pulps. Nanocellulose can be used to improve the quality and performance of a broad array of paper and board materials, coatings and films, as well as nano-composite materials. MFC, CNC and NFC can be used as follows in papermaking applications; as strength additives, to enhance barrier properties in food packaging, to improved paper gloss, to reduce paper grammage and to enable smart packaging.

A major purpose of the project is to significantly lower the manufacturing costs and to facilitate the use of layer-by-layer technology by replacing the relatively expensive anionic component CMC (carboxymethylcellulose) with nanocellulose. To succeed, an industry-friendly system for cost-effective production of NFC (nanofibrillated cellulose), NLC (nanolignocellulose) and/or CNC (crystalline nanocellulose) must be developed. The idea of this project is to develop this type of system through optimization of fractionation and filtration systems where industrially available fine material fractions from pulp and paper manufacturing processes are tested.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on nano-materials.

This project is financially supported by Kempe Foundation, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB and the Swedish Knowledge Foundation, Mid Sweden University

Main Supervisor

Prof. Per Engstrand FSCN

Adjunct Supervisor

Dr. Sven Norgren, FSCN and Anna Svedberg, MoRe Research Örnsköldsvik AB

Develop tools and models for sustainable forest supply chains

 

PhD Student

Anna Thorning Norrskog

Description

Develop tools and models for sustainable forest supply chains with focus on non-industrial private forest owners.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on sustainability and forest economics.

Main Supervisor

Yvonne von Friedrichs

Adjunct Supervisor

Peter Öhman

ECF/TCF bleaching for the production of softwood tissue paper

PhD Student

Sara Starrsjö SCA R&D Centre

Description

It is well known that the bleachability of a certain bleaching stage depends on the prehistory of the pulp. It is assumed that this is due to the difference in composition and structure of the lignin and/or carbohydrates present in the pulp. However, the knowledge about which structures provides a good bleachability is limited. This work attempts to bring clarity to this field by examining softwood kraft pulps of different origins, in regards to charged structures.

When SCA during 2018 double the production of bleached softwood Kraft pulp at Östrand pulp mill, a new bleaching plant will be implemented, allowing for both ECF light and TCF bleaching. It is of great importance that these sequences are accurately optimized and understood, in order to minimize environmental impact, cost and assure high pulp quality.

Main Supervisor

Prof. Per Engstrand, FSCN

Adjunct Supervisor

Prof. Mikael Lindström, KTH
Dr. Olena Sevastyanova, KTH
Peter Sandström, SCA

Domsjö Fabriker

PhD Student

Magnus Hörnsten, Additya Birla Domsjö Fabriker

Description

xx

Co-production

xx

Main Supervisor

Håkan Edlund

Adjunct Supervisor

Magnus Norgren
Per Engstrand

Research projects 2015

Fibrillar chemical pulp fines to enhance paper board strength

PhD Student

Elisabeth Björk, Innventia

Description

Develop techniques to enhance stiffnes in paperboard via improved adhesion between CTMP fibres with for the purpose optimized fines from kraft.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisor

Myat Htun

Value creating and efficiency in wood supply chains

PhD Student

Magnus Larsson, Skogforsk / Stiftelsen Skogsbrukets forskningsfond

Description

Objective to demonstrate how we can optimize the wood supply system when considering both modern saw mills and future biorefineries.

Co-production

Company employs student with Licentiate degree that finalize with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on forest to mill site logistics and business economy aspects.

Main Supervisor

Leif Olsson

Adjunct Supervisor

Matti Stendahl, SLU
Anders Roos, SLU

Holmen

 

 

PhD Student

Christer Sandberg Holmen

Johan Sund Holmen Paper Hallstavik

 

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

 

Connecting high yield pulp properties with functional product properties

PhD Student

Olof Ferritsius, Stora Enso/Mid Sweden University FSCN

Description

Develop robust tools to predict paper product properties mainly based on dimensional pulp data.

Co-production

Company is co-finance MIUN research finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on efficiency and fibre quality.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisor

Birgitta Engberg

Integrated energy solutions

PhD Student

Anna-Karin Stengard, Sundsvall Energi AB

Description

Develop a methodology to optimize the integration of municipal and industrial energy systems taking technical as well as organizational aspects into account.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on biorefinery based energy systems aspects.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisor

Olof Björkqvist

Technical and economical systems modelling of a mechanical pulping based bio-refinery

PhD Student

Alexander Hedlund, Frontway AB, SME, IT Company Service provider to forest industry

Description

Objective to develop a general systems methodology that can be used as decision support for optimizing the design and operation of a bio-refinery based on high-yield pulp paper and paperboard systems.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on modelling.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisors

Olof Björkqvist
Aron Larsson
Leif Olsson

Improved fines material control

PhD Student

Mathias Lundberg, PulpEye AB

Description

Develop optical methods based on crill analysis for high yield pulp (HYP) to better understand and control relevant final product properties.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on on-line techniques of nanomaterial measurements.

Main Supervisor

Håkan Edlund

Adjunct Supervisor

Magnus Norgren
Per Engstrand

Wood preservative treatment and modification techniques: Identification, evaluation and assessment of barriers and key success factors for large-scale commercialization

 

PhD Student

Jonas Johansson, SCA Timber AB

Description

Utilize existing knowledge on wood preservative treatment and modification techniques to achieve improvements of decay resistance, dimensional stability, hardness and fire protection of sawn wood products. The project will try to assess potential customer needs and customer segments as well as barriers and key success factors for large scale commercialization.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on on-line techniques of nanomaterial recycling aspects.

Main Supervisor

Leif Olsson

Adjunct Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Modified fibre process for improved final product properties

Ph D Student

Hafizur Rahman SCA Forest Products AB, SCA R&D Centre

Description

Modify or optimize the kraft pulping process to produce more refining energy efficient fibres at final functional product properties.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with Licentiate exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on process technologies.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisor

Mikael Lindström, KTH

Industrially feasible methods for production of nanocellulose from chemical pulps

PhD Student

Carl Moser, Valmet AB

Description

Develop industrially feasible techniques for production of nano-cellulose materials. Very promising results from MSc work at KTH will be further developed and tested in larger scale.

Co-production

Company employs student finalizing with PhD exam. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on processes for nano-materials. Also KTH is involved with supervision and idea to approach.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisor

Louise Logenius
Mikael Lindström, KTH

Cost-effective nanolignocellulose as substitute for CMC in multi-layer fibre applications

PhD Student

Sinke Henshaw Osong, MoRe Research / Mid Sweden University FSCN

Description

Objective to optimize the production of NLC (Nanolignocellulose) based of mechanical pulp reject fractions, to improve the strength properties of paper and board products.

Co-production

Company co-finance student finalizing with PhD exam, starting from Licentiate. Contributes in courses and meetings with focus on nanomaterials.

Main Supervisor

Per Engstrand

Adjunct Supervisor

Sven Norgren

Partner companies

The page was updated 1/3/2023