News & Events

December 20, 2005

Department of Energy Awards $2.2 Million to Save Energy in the Pulp and Paper Industry

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded $2.2 million in research and development grants for projects to save energy in the pulp and paper industry. The research will focus on removing water from pulp in the paper making process and determining the technical and commercial feasibility of next generation manufacturing concepts.

“New efficient technologies and processes are key to reducing our energy consumption now and in the future,” said Douglas L. Faulkner, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Increased energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector not only saves energy, but also improves the environment and makes U.S. manufacturing more competitive.”

Approximately $2 million in research funds has been awarded to Voith Paper of Appleton, Wis., to design and build a new press technology to reduce the need for energy during paper drying by 30 percent. Voith Paper will contribute a 50 percent cost share to this research. North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh, N.C. will receive approximately $100,000 which will define a next generation pulping process that has the potential of achieving higher yields and reduced energy consumption. NCSU will contribute a 44 percent cost share to this research project. Georgia Tech Research Corporation in Atlanta, Ga., will receive approximately $100,000 to examine new techniques for eliminating the energy intensive lime kiln from the pulping process. Georgia Tech will contribute a 20 percent cost share to this research project.

Development and implementation of new energy efficiency technologies is a continuing goal of the Department of Energy. Through open, competitive solicitations, DOE offers opportunities for industries to participate in cost-shared research and development projects that advance technologies both technically and economically, and show significant potential for successful commercialization.

For more information on the awards and the technical approaches selected visit http://www.eere.energy.gov/industry/forest.Download Acrobat Reader