Modellfabrik Papier – Leading the way for sustainable paper production
Invitation Modellfabrik Papier - Peter Bekaert: Managing Director Modellfabrik Papier gGmbH
Peter Bekaert
Within the Modellfabrik Papier, the paper industry is taking the initiative today to achieve the climate goals of tomorrow.
The aim of the Modellfabrik Papier is to use knowledge-based approaches to develop the basis for climate-neutral paper production in which the specific energy requirement of paper production is reduced by 80% by the year 2045, thus realizing sustainable and future-proof paper production. To this end, yet unknown technological manufacturing concepts are to be developed, investigated, and techno-economically evaluated on completely new technology carriers based on known scientific and physical phenomena, with the aim to achieve the synergy of the above-mentioned total energy savings.

This approach is closely interlinked with the infrastructure created by the Modellfabrik Papier, which gives the paper industry the opportunity to conduct disruptive research on this vision of climate-neutral paper production within the framework of an open innovation network at a central location in the Rhenish lignite mining region.
Different competences of partners are bundled, and central topics are worked on jointly by several partners. The project is divided into four main objectives. For each focal point and sub-focal point, one of the seven cooperating institutes is responsible for the scientific management.
The cooperation of MFP with the institutes in each focal point ensures that synergies and expertise are optimally utilized, that MFP also builds up the expertise necessary for long-term work, and that the consolidation and prioritization of the different subject areas are implemented in line with the overall goals of the project:
The aim of the Modellfabrik Papier is to realise the transfer of the above-described disruptive developments into the industry, supported by the meanwhile 22 shareholders of the Modellfabrik Papier out of the paper and paper supply industry.