{"682651":{"#nid":"682651","#data":{"type":"news","title":"RBI\u2019s Annual Workshop Fosters Collaboration, Innovation for Pulp and Paper Manufacturing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rbi\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rbi\/2025-spring-workshop\u0022\u003E2025 Spring Workshop\u003C\/a\u003E, held May 12\u201313, brought together leading researchers, industry professionals and students to explore innovations in pulp and paper manufacturing. Hosted at the Kendeda Building and the Paper Tricentennial Building, the event opened with remarks from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/j-carson-meredith\u0022\u003ECarson Meredith\u003C\/a\u003E, RBI executive director, and featured presentations on energy and resource efficiency, carbon accounting and competitiveness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHighlights included talks on membrane separations, electrochemical processing and low-carbon fuels, with contributions from experts such as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/chris-luettgen\u0022\u003EChris Luettgen\u003C\/a\u003E, Jose Gonzalez,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/sankar-nair\u0022\u003ESankar Nair\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/hatzell\u0022\u003EMarta Hatzell\u003C\/a\u003E and Dave Beck.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInsights from the 2025 RBI Spring Workshop\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERevolutionizing Kraft Pulping with Graphene Oxide Membranes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s rGO membrane technology is transforming the kraft pulping process. These membranes enable efficient black liquor dewatering, organic acid recovery and lignin fractionation\u2014leading to significant energy savings, water recycling and new revenue streams from bioproducts.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENorth America\u2019s Dual Challenge: High Emissions, High Opportunity\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile North America remains a pulp and paper powerhouse (15% of global capacity), it also has one of the highest carbon intensities. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity to lead in emissions reduction through asset renewal and innovation.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBiogenic CO\u2082: From Emission to Asset\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EKraft pulp mills emit large volumes of biogenic CO\u2082\u2014an untapped resource. With carbon capture and utilization (CCUS), mills could generate up to $300 million annually in carbon removal credits, turning emissions into economic value.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntegrated Biorefineries: The Future of Pulp Mills\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe vision for pulp mills is evolving\u2014from single-product facilities to multi-product biorefineries. Innovations like lignin-based materials, organic acid conversion to biofuels and advanced nanofiltration are paving the way for circular use of carbon in manufacturing.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDecarbonization Is a Strategic Imperative\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWith increasing regulatory and consumer pressure, especially from global brands targeting Scope 3 emissions, pulp and paper producers must act. Embracing technologies like rGO membranes and CCUS is not just sustainable\u2014it\u2019s essential for competitiveness.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EElectrochemical Carbon Capture and Conversion for On-Site Fuel Production\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/hatzell\u0022\u003EHatzell\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s lab is pioneering the use of bipolar membrane (BPM) electrolysis to convert captured carbon (from bicarbonate solutions) into valuable fuels like CO and H\u2082. This approach enables:\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E100% carbon utilization with more than 70% Faradaic efficiency for CO production.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIntegration with pulp and paper processes to valorize CO\u2082 emissions instead of storing them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse of acid-stable single-atom nickel catalysts to improve selectivity and efficiency.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe PAPER-ZERO Initiative\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThis initiative explores transformative pathways to decarbonize the pulp and paper industry by:\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEvaluating scenarios that eliminate combustion of black liquor and waste wood.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInvestigating renewable energy integration and alternative uses for black liquor.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAssessing the cost, energy and environmental trade-offs of emerging technologies.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe workshop also featured a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-05\/RBI%20Fellows%20Poster%20Session%20May%2012%202025.pdf\u0022\u003Estudent poster session\u003C\/a\u003E, networking opportunities and updates on APPTI collaborative projects. The event concluded with a meeting of the RBI Industry Advisory Board, reinforcing the institute\u2019s role as a hub for partnership and innovation in renewable bioproducts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re grateful to our industry member partners for sharing their time and expertise,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/belinda-vogel\u0022\u003EBelinda Vogel,\u003C\/a\u003E research engagement manager. \u201cThe advisory board meeting highlighted how essential collaboration is in advancing basic science and renewable bioproduct manufacturing.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rbi\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rbi\/2025-spring-workshop\u0022\u003E2025 Spring Workshop\u003C\/a\u003E, held May 12\u201313, brought together leading researchers, industry professionals and students to explore innovations in pulp and paper manufacturing. Hosted at the Kendeda Building and the Paper Tricentennial Building, the event opened with remarks from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/j-carson-meredith\u0022\u003ECarson Meredith\u003C\/a\u003E, RBI executive director, and featured presentations on energy and resource efficiency, carbon accounting and competitiveness.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers and Industry Partner for Efficiency"}],"uid":"36695","created_gmt":"2025-06-04 16:11:16","changed_gmt":"2025-12-02 04:53:42","author":"jmartin482","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"372221","name":"Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI)"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"},{"id":"2106","name":"Paper"},{"id":"130851","name":"paper and pulp"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["jennifer.martin@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}