Exploiting waste paper crumble using industrial biotechnology

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Palm Paper Ltd. recycles 400K tonnes of waste newsprint annually. This creates 140,000 tonnes paper crumble (PC) waste which costs £4m to dispose of by landspreading. PC comprises approximately 15-20% cellulose and 70% paper filler (calcium carbonate) with a little latex. The aim of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of innovatively digesting the cellulose to liberate glucose and to then refine the large carbonate fraction for re-incorporation into the newspaper production process. This will avoid disposal and reduce the import of new paper filler. The research will also assess the feasibility of converting the liberated glucose to chemicals and fuel ethanol by fermentation with specialist yeasts identified from the UK National Collection of Yeast Cultures at Norwich. The study will build on preliminary research carried out at the Biorefinery Centre, IFR, Norwich, in conjunction with industrial research expertise of Palm Paper, Lenzing, plc and Vireol plc. Additional sources of cellulose waste (e.g. waste paper, cellulose fibres) will be incorporated into the study to improve economies of scale as required. In this way, the project will serve to address three IB challenges: production of commodity, platform and intermediate chemicals and materials; production of liquid and gaseous biofuels and novel or improved upstream or downstream processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency.