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STEAMDRY to Present at the 4th INCITE Workshop for the Pulp, Paper and Board Sector

STEAMDRY will participate in the 4th INCITE Workshop on Innovative Techniques in the Pulp, Paper and Board Sector, taking place on 21–22 October 2026 at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Seville, Spain, with online participation also available. The project will showcase its superheated-steam drying technology as a promising pathway towards more energy-efficient and low-carbon production in the pulp and paper industry.

Advancing energy-efficient drying

Harri Kiiskinen, Principal Scientist at VTT, will present STEAMDRY during the workshop’s session on Energy Efficiency and Electrification of Processes on 22 October.

The presentation, “SteamDry project – Superheated steam drying for sustainable and recyclable web-like materials (paper and tissue sectors),” will introduce the project’s work to develop and validate innovative drying solutions for paper, board, tissue and other web-like materials.

Drying is one of the most energy-intensive operations in the pulp and paper value chain. By replacing conventional drying approaches with superheated-steam drying and enabling the recovery and reuse of heat, STEAMDRY aims to reduce energy demand, avoid fossil-fuel-related emissions and support more sustainable production processes.

A forum for industrial innovation

The INCITE workshop will convene industry representatives, technology providers, researchers, policymakers, financiers and permitting authorities to exchange knowledge on innovative techniques that can advance pollution prevention, decarbonisation, resource efficiency and circularity in the pulp, paper and board sector.

The two-day programme will cover a broad range of topics, including:

  • Energy efficiency and electrification of industrial processes
  • Alternative energy sources and fuel switching
  • Circularity, industrial symbiosis and biorefinery integration
  • Water management and pollution prevention
  • Carbon capture, utilisation and storage
  • Environmental performance, permitting, safety and financing for innovative technologies

The workshop is designed to help identify and assess emerging and transformative techniques that can support the sector’s transition towards climate neutrality, while encouraging stakeholders to contribute technical information through the European Commission’s INCITE platform.

Sharing solutions for decarbonisation

STEAMDRY will present alongside several innovative initiatives focused on industrial electrification and energy efficiency, including the EEETHOS project on high-temperature heat pumps for industrial applications, the ELECTRA project on lime-kiln electrification and Power-to-X pathways, and SOLINDARITY, which explores solar-driven industrial heat upgrading for the pulp and paper sector.

The session will also feature industrial solutions for improving recovery-boiler efficiency and reducing energy consumption in tissue-paper production. Together, these contributions will offer a practical overview of the technologies being developed to cut energy use and emissions across the pulp, paper and board industry.

Joining the dialogue

By contributing to the INCITE Workshop, STEAMDRY will share early evidence and lessons from its pilot-scale superheated-steam drying activities, while engaging with stakeholders working to accelerate the uptake of innovative industrial technologies.

The event takes place at JRC Seville, Edificio Expo, Calle Inca Garcilaso 3, 41092 Seville, Spain, and can also be attended online. Registration is open until 11 September 2026.

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STEAMDRY at the FOMOP Symposium 2026

STEAMDRY will be represented at the FOMOP Symposium 2026, “Transforming the Paper Machine – From today’s reality to tomorrow’s innovation,” taking place in Düren, Germany, on 7–8 September.

The project’s coordinator from VTT will share the latest STEAMDRY developments and provide insights into the progress of the project’s piloting phase.

Hosted by Modellfabrik Papier gGmbH, the invite-only Mini-Symposium and Ideation Workshop will bring together scientists and industry experts from across Europe to explore how papermaking processes and technologies can be transformed to significantly reduce energy consumption and shape the production systems of tomorrow.

During the event, VTT will present STEAMDRY’s progress towards its objectives, with particular attention to the piloting activities currently underway. The session will provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge with researchers and industrial stakeholders, discuss early results and gather valuable feedback on the project’s approach to advancing energy-efficient and sustainable paper production.

STEAMDRY is pleased to contribute to this dialogue at the intersection of science, technology and industrial practice. We look forward to connecting with participants, sharing experiences and fostering collaboration for a more sustainable, resource-efficient paper sector.

📅 7–8 September 2026
📍 Düren, Germany

For more information about the event, visit Modellfabrik Papier.

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SteamDry at IDS’26 in Paris

From 25–28 August 2026, the International Drying Symposium (IDS’26) will bring together leading scientists and industrial practitioners in Paris to discuss the latest advances in drying science and technology.

As part of the Scientific Program, SteamDry is closely involved in Session 6 (Friday afternoon), where a key contribution on paper drying modelling will be presented. Session 6 will take place on Friday afternoon, with the talk scheduled from 14:40 to 15:00 and listed as Paper ID 268 under the title “Multiphysics Modelling of Paper Drying with Coupled Deformation and Moisture-Dependent Viscoelasticity.”

The paper is authored by Ahmed Saleem, R.G.M., Ruud van der Sman and Edwin Zondervan. The work brings together expertise from Sustainable Process Technology at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, and Wageningen Food & Biobased Research at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Why this research matters

Paper drying is highly energy‑intensive and driven by tightly coupled heat transfer, moisture transport and mechanical deformation. Traditional models treat paper as rigid and cannot fully capture:

  • Drying‑induced stresses and shrinkage.
  • Structural changes in permeability and pore space.
  • The onset of surface damage at high drying rates.

SteamDry supports approaches that go beyond these simplifications to unlock new efficiency and quality gains.

Inside the new multiphysics model

The presented work builds a fully coupled finite element framework in which paper is treated as a deformable, fluid‑saturated porous solid:

  • Heat and mass transfer are integrated with poromechanics and moisture‑dependent viscoelasticity.
  • Fibres are treated as hydrogel‑like constituents, enabling explicit modelling of bound water diffusion below the fibre saturation point and its link to mechanical stiffening.
  • Gas and vapour generation act as internal pressure sources, affecting stress, permeability evolution and pore structure during drying.

Under realistic industrial conditions, the model predicts non‑uniform shrinkage, permeability reduction and strong stress gradients near drying surfaces—offering a mechanistic explanation for drying‑induced surface damage at high drying rates.

From modelling to industrial impact

The framework is validated against experimental drying kinetics, sorption isotherms and rheological measurements. It extends existing paper drying models and is applicable to other moisture‑sensitive fibrous and hydrogel‑based materials, offering a predictive tool to:

  • Design drying strategies that improve product quality
  • Reduce energy demand and support more sustainable operations

We look forward to discussing how such models can be applied to real‑world paper and bio‑based materials drying challenges during the symposium.

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SteamDry at ESCAPE 2026 in Sheffield

SteamDry took part in the 36th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE 2026), held from 21–24 June 2026 at the University of Sheffield, UK. The event focused on the theme “Resilient Sustainability through CAPE”, highlighting how advanced modelling and process engineering can support more sustainable, low‑carbon industrial systems.

At ESCAPE 2026, SteamDry contributed with two scientific works:

  • An oral presentation on dynamic modelling of fouling during filtration of dusty superheated steam.
  • A poster on a multi‑physics modelling approach for paper drying and deformation.

Both contributions are the result of collaboration with Twente University (University of Twente), one of SteamDry’s partners within the project. The oral presentation is authored by Felipe de Oliveira, Wijtze Nijhuis, Marcel Meinders and Edwin Zondervan, while the poster is authored by Ahmed Saleem, R.G.M. van der Sman and Edwin Zondervan. These works reflect the strong role of the Sustainable Process Technology group at Twente University in developing advanced models and technologies for more efficient and cleaner drying processes.

Within the SteamDry project, Twente University leads the development of steam purification technology (Work Package 7), focusing on sustainable process technology and enabling cleaner, closed‑loop superheated steam drying.

By presenting these results at ESCAPE 2026, SteamDry and Twente University underlined their joint commitment to advancing process systems engineering for more energy‑efficient, low‑emission paper drying and steam purification.

About ESCAPE 2026

ESCAPE 2026 was organised by the University of Sheffield’s School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, in collaboration with IChemE and the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures. Under the theme “Resilient Sustainability through CAPE”, the conference focused on how computer-aided process engineering can support low-carbon, resource-efficient and robust industrial operations in the face of climate and energy challenges.

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STEAMDRY at Valmet’s customer event

STEAMDRY took part in Valmet’s customer event, held on 9–11 June in Jyväskylä, Finland.

The Customer Event is a popular recurring industry networking event organized by Valmet for paper producers. The event brought together industry professionals to exchange insights, discuss current developments, and explore innovative technologies shaping the future of papermaking.

During the event, STEAMDRY was presented by Kalle-Matti Romppainen, Development Manager, Board and Paper Machines Technology Unit at Valmet. Valmet is the work package leader of Work Package 11 – Up-scaling strategy of the developed solution within the STEAMDRY project. The presentation highlighted recent project developments and ongoing work towards more energy-efficient and low-carbon drying technologies for the paper industry.

A key focus of the presentation was the STEAMDRY Pilot Plant, where the VTT SAMPO pilot machine has been transformed into a fully operational Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) line. The pilot facility enables the testing and validation of SSD technology under realistic industrial conditions and provides valuable insights into drying performance, heat recovery opportunities, energy efficiency, and product quality.

The presentation also highlighted STEAMDRY’s work on industrial dryer retrofit concepts. Within the project, three SSD configurations—convective SSD, conductive SSD, and a combined convective-conductive SSD concept—have been evaluated on a representative European packaging board machine. These concepts have been assessed against key performance indicators, including energy savings, investment requirements, payback time, runnability, product quality, and retrofit feasibility.

Particular attention was given to the combined convective-conductive SSD concept, which has emerged as a promising candidate for a first industrial retrofit. By combining high-intensity superheated steam drying with the reuse of existing dryer infrastructure, the concept offers a practical pathway for increasing drying capacity while reducing specific energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

The event provided an opportunity for the project to reach its target audience and potential future adopters of the technology, and to engage directly in discussions and questions around the practical application of superheated steam drying in industry.

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Electrification and advanced heat for energy intensive industries: from pilots to EU wide deployment

18 June 2026 (09:30–11:00 CEST) – Online (Microsoft Teams)

REGISTER HERE
CHECK THE AGENDA

This joint Sustainable Energy Day by SteamDry and METAWAVE is organised in the framework of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2026, the main annual event of the European Union dedicated to renewables and energy efficiency. EUSEW provides a platform to present innovative projects, exchange best practices and build partnerships that support the EU’s energy and climate goals, including higher energy‑efficiency targets, accelerated renewables deployment and climate‑neutrality by 2050.

By focusing on the electrification of industrial heat in sectors such as paper and board, ceramics, asphalt and aluminium, the event contributes directly to these objectives. Electrified process‑heat solutions like superheated steam drying and microwave‑based high‑temperature processes can significantly reduce fossil fuel use, lower greenhouse‑gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in some of Europe’s most energy‑intensive value chains. At the same time, they help implement key EU strategies such as the Green Deal, REPowerEU and the Industrial Green Deal, which all call for faster decarbonisation of industry while preserving competitiveness and quality jobs.

The session is designed not only to showcase technical progress, but also to inform policy. Through a combination of data‑driven presentations, project pitches and an interactive policy panel with representatives from EU‑level initiatives, industry and the European Parliament, the event will identify barriers and enablers for scaling up electrified heat. The resulting messages aim to support EU and national decision‑makers in designing regulations, funding instruments and industrial strategies that accelerate the transition of energy‑intensive industries in line with Europe’s climate and energy targets.

Programme highlights

Welcome and opening remarks (09:30)
Policy keynote: why industrial heat electrification now (09:35)
  • Alper Akdag – Chair of A.SPIRE Working Group 1 (Energy and CO₂), setting the scene on the EU policy context, REPowerEU and support for energy‑intensive industries.
The challenge: energy use and CO₂ in energy‑intensive process industries (09:45)

Data‑driven overview of current energy use, fuel mix and emissions in the processes targeted by SteamDry and METAWAVE, and the potential impact of electrified solutions.

Project pitches: electrification solutions in practice (10:00)
  • METAWAVE – Microwave‑based high‑temperature processes for energy‑intensive sectors.
    María Herrando – METAWAVE project coordinator and senior researcher at ITA Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón.

Concise, policy‑oriented presentations on the technologies, their main industrial applications and the practical challenges to large‑scale deployment.

Interactive policy panel: what industry needs to scale electrified heat (10:20)

Moderated discussion on policy changes, instruments and regional initiatives needed to accelerate the deployment of electrified process heat, including audience questions and a short live poll.

 

This Sustainable Energy Day aims to feed concrete messages from industry and research into the wider EUSEW policy debate on how to support the transition of energy‑intensive industries while maintaining competitiveness.

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Steamdry at the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference

Steamdry was pleased to participate in the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference, where our partner AIT Austrian Institute of Technology presented a joint work on advanced heat recovery and drying technologies.

The presentation, titled “Heat recovery with steam compressor: Dynamic model of a superheated steam drying system to evaluate efficient system operation,” was delivered by Michael Pölzl (AIT) on Friday, May 29 in the Festsaal. It was part of the session “HTH11 + AIP2 Techno-Economic & Environmental Assessment of High Temperature Heat Pumps and Adaptation of Industrial Processes.”

This contribution, developed by AIT in collaboration with Piller Blowers & Compressors and Wageningen University & Research, focuses on superheated steam drying (SSD) as an innovative alternative to conventional drying processes in the pulp and paper industry.

SSD offers strong potential for improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing product quality. A key element of the system is the use of a steam compressor, which recovers latent heat from excess steam and upgrades it to the required temperature and pressure levels for reuse within the drying process.

To better understand and optimize this complex system, a dynamic model has been developed to simulate the transient behavior of the dryer, steam compressor, and auxiliary components such as heat exchangers and electrical heating. This model makes it possible to evaluate how different operating conditions—such as temperature levels and the presence of air in the steam cycle—affect overall system performance and efficiency.

The results demonstrate how such modeling tools can support the design and operation of superheated steam drying systems, enabling more efficient and reliable integration into industrial processes.

Through its partners, SteamDry is proud to contribute to the development of next-generation drying technologies and to support the transition toward more energy-efficient industrial solutions.

The presentation provided an opportunity to share the project’s latest developments with researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders working to advance sustainable and energy-efficient industrial processes.

About the event

The IEA Heat Pump Conference is one of the leading international events on heat pump technologies, bringing together industry, research, and policy to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization in heating and industrial processes.

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SteamDry showcased Superheated Steam Drying at Pulp & Beyond 2026

SteamDry showcased its superheated steam drying technology at Pulp & Beyond 2026 in Helsinki, where the team engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from the pulp, paper and broader forest‑based bioeconomy industry at stand 5B. Throughout the event, visitors showed strong interest in our solutions to significantly reduce energy consumption and enable CO₂-free drying processes.

Pulp & Beyond 2026 took place at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, with the main exhibition held on 15–16 April 2026 and an international conference day on 14 April. The event once again confirmed its role as the leading Nordic forum for forest‑based bioeconomy, gathering technology providers, mills, researchers, and investors to explore new solutions and business opportunities.​

SteamDry at stand 5B

At stand 5B, the SteamDry team presented how superheated steam drying (SSD) can achieve up to 60% energy savings in the drying process, which corresponds to around 40% energy savings across the entire production line. Discussions with visitors also highlighted growing industry demand for technologies that allow near-complete recovery of latent heat and support the transition toward fully electrified, CO₂ emission-free drying sections in paper and board manufacturing.

SteamDry is designed to support paper and board manufacturers in meeting increasingly increasingly strict climate, energy and competitiveness requirements by combining significantly higher efficiency with low CAPEX and OPEX retrofit options for both existing or new machines. By aligning with EU climate and bioeconomy strategies and key initiatives such as the 2030 Climate Target Plan and REPowerEU, the concept contributes to accelerating the transition away from fossil-based drying while opening new opportunities for technology suppliers.

Highlights from the event

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SteamDry joined Valmet’s “Beyond Circularity” ecosystem closing event in Helsinki

On Thursday 22 January 2026, SteamDry joined Valmet’s “Beyond Circularity: Closing the Circle Together” closing event in Helsinki, Finland, where ecosystem partners gathered to share results from four years of joint circularity and green transition projects. For SteamDry, as part of the Beyond Circularity ecosystem, this was a unique stage to show how superheated steam drying supports electrified, low‑emission paper and board production as part of Valmet’s Beyond Circularity program.​​

Beyond Circularity is Valmet’s multi‑year R&D and ecosystem program aimed at transforming waste and emissions into valuable resources, accelerating the green transition across process industries. The ecosystem brings together hundreds of partners in co‑research and co‑innovation projects, ranging from new recycling concepts and biorefining to resource‑efficient, automated and digitalized industrial processes.​

Together, participants joined SteamDry and the wider ecosystem in celebrating the achievements of Beyond Circularity and planning the next wave of collaboration.

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Wageningen Food & Biobased Research to Present SteamDry at the Technologiekring Paper & Board Seminar

On 19 November 2025, Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WR) will participate in the Technologiekring Paper & Board event in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, hosted at the Van der Valk Hotel Apeldoorn – De Cantharel.

This annual seminar brings together professionals, researchers, and industry experts from across the paper and board value chain to exchange knowledge, explore new technologies, and strengthen collaboration toward a more sustainable and innovative future.

Focus on Innovation and Collaboration

Organized by the Natuurvezel Applicatie Centrum, the Technologiekring Paper & Board series highlights key developments in paper and board machines, technologies, and products. The November 2025 edition will focus on innovation, technology, and collaboration as drivers of progress in the sector.

WR’s Contribution: Advancing Energy-Efficient Drying

Joanne Siccama, Researcher in Food Processing Technology at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, will give a presentation on the SteamDry project.

Drying is among the most energy-intensive processes in industrial production, including in paper and board manufacturing. SteamDry explores advanced steam purification, digital process control, and innovative equipment design to significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

Joanne Siccama will present the project’s progress, technical challenges, and potential contributions to the paper and board industry’s sustainability goals.

Shaping the Future of Fiber-Based Products

As the paper and board sector advances toward fiber-based, circular solutions, the Technologiekring Paper & Board provides a valuable forum for connecting research, innovation, and industrial practice. Participation in this event supports the broader mission of Wageningen Food & Biobased Research to develop technologies that enable a more resource-efficient, low-carbon manufacturing future.

Event details:
Technologiekring Paper & Board
Dates: 19–20 November 2025
Location: Van der Valk Hotel Apeldoorn – De Cantharel, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands

More information: Technologiekring Paper & Board website