São Paulo July 10, 2019 – A nanofiber project developed by Klabin in partnership with the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) was among the award winners at the International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials, one of the leading international nanotechnology congresses, held in Japan last month.

 

Organized by the Pulp and Paper Industry Technical Association, a century-old entity headquartered in the U.S., the event brings together and recognizes important work related to the responsible use and production of renewable and sustainable nanomaterial. Klabin placed third in the poster session for its research to optimize the production of nanofibers and reduce energy consumed in the process.

 

“For quite some time, cellulosic micro fiber, or microfibrillated pulp, as it is also known, has been the target of extensive study at the Klabin Technology Center in Telêmaco Borba, Paraná. This award reaffirms the importance of the company’s work in partnership with UFLA and other universities, and recognizes the relevance of our work in the area in recent years,” said Carlos Augusto, Research and Development manager at Klabin. 

 

Work in the area has resulted in a 20% to 25% reduction in the amount of energy used in defibrillation and over 10% increase in the strength of paper produced with 1% to 2% microfibrillated pulp. This means that if applied to large scale production, the nanofiber will make for stronger material while reducing the amount of raw material needed, namely pulp.

 

The results of the study will be tested on an industrial scale by Klabin before the end of the year, when the company’s Pilot Plant Park in Paraná is inaugurated. The unit will give the company the ability to test the product to evaluate its potential for use in the pulp and paper industry, as well as in other research fronts, such as replacing materials such as plastic, glass and metal in packaging.

 

Klabin invested R$32 million in the construction of the Pilot Plant Park, where it will also study another product extracted from wood, lignin. Klabin expects that research will drive it into new markets and provide new uses for its forests.

 

 

About Klabin

 

Klabin is the largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging in Brazil, its only company offering one-stop shop solutions in hardwood, softwood and fluff pulp, and the leader in corrugated board packaging and industrial bags. Founded in 1899, it has 17 industrial units in Brazil and one in Argentina.

 

With its entire management guided by sustainable development, Klabin pursues integrated and responsible growth that combines profitability, social development and environmental commitment. Klabin has been a component of the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3) since 2014. It is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and to the Brazilian Pact to Eradicate Slave Labor, and seeks suppliers and business partners that share its values of ethics, transparency and respect for sustainability principles.

 

Learn more at www.klabin.com.br

 

Media relations – Klabin

 

In Press Porter Novelli

 

Juliana Onofri – (11) 4871-1466 – juliana.onofri@inpresspni.com.br 

Alcione Cavalcante – (11) 4871-1473 – alcione.cavalcante@inpresspni.com.br

Alessandro Abate – (11) 3323-1595 – alessandro.abate@inpresspni.com.br

Jordan Fraïberg – (11) 3323-3829 – jordan.fraiberg@inpresspni.com.br

Mayara Brasil – (11) 3323-1629 – mayara.brasil@inpresspni.com.br  

Giovana Battiferro – (11) 3330-3806 – giovana.battiferro@inpresspni.com.br