Steamdry – Superheated steam drying for sustainable and recyclable web-like materials

SteamDry
Superheated steam drying for sustainable and recyclable web-like materials

The SteamDry project aims to significantly decrease energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the paper and board manufacturing industry by showcasing a concept that achieves a remarkable 60% energy savings in thermal drying and 40% energy savings on a production line, with the potential for up to 100% CO2 emission reduction.

Current Dryer vs. SteamDry Concept

Unlock the potential for positive change with SteamDry!

Our Vision: A Greener Future for Manufacturing

Join us as we pioneer a new era in manufacturing, where efficiency and eco-friendliness lead the way.

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Energy savings in thermal drying

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Energy savings on production line

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Elimination of CO2 emissions

Energy Reduction Goals

The project goal is to achieve up to a 40% reduction in energy consumption in papermaking production. Beyond environmental benefits, SteamDry promises a substantial decrease in production costs and a remarkable boost in resilience to industry instabilities.

Long-Term Impact

In the long term, the SteamDry project anticipates substantial energy savings, estimating a potential of 127 terawatt-hours (TWh) or 6 billion euros annually for paper and board manufacturers in Europe. The global annual energy savings potential amounts to 870 TWh, nearly seven times that of Europe’s savings and market potential combined.

Superheated Steam Drying

SteamDry focuses on advancing superheated steam drying (SSD) technology, enabling the digitization and implementation of this innovative process. The SteamDry approach facilitates nearly complete recovery of latent heat, leading to unparalleled energy efficiency.

Advanced Digital Technologies

The SteamDry project aims to integrate digital technologies into the Superheated Steam Drying dryer for improved control and optimization. It includes developing a digital twin, designing an IT architecture, and implementing AI-driven reinforcement learning to enhance energy efficiency. The project also focuses on early issue detection with an AI-based anomaly detection system.

Sustainable Impact

All impacts from the SteamDry project will contribute to achieving four UN Sustainable Development Goals: Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action. The project aligns with the objectives of the 2030 Climate Target Plan, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Processes4Planet, and REPowerEU plans.

Competitiveness and Resilience

Enhancing the competitiveness of the paper industry is essential for job retention and economic sustainability. Reducing the climate impact of paper and board manufacturing fosters resilience in rural communities, where a significant portion of production units is situated. This, in turn, augments companies’ capabilities to invest and operate efficiently, contributing to overall economic and environmental sustainability.

Versatility Across Industries

Beyond the pulp and paper sectors, SteamDry’s technology holds promise for replication in various industrial settings such as mechanical wood processing, the chemical industry, and food manufacturing, underscoring its versatility and broad applicability.

Unlocking Opportunities

The developed solution is versatile, capable of installation on existing infrastructure or new-built machines with low CAPEX and OPEX, thereby opening new opportunities for technology suppliers and providing cost savings for users. The SteamDry concept is expected to enable technology suppliers to boost their revenue by an estimated 230-345 million euros annually in Europe.