Abstract:

Paper production is one of the most water-intensive industrial processes and its effluents have a significant impact on aquatic ecosystems (1.4 billion m effluent/a). There is growing insight that a reduction of freshwater consumption and increasing wastepaper recycling rates do in fact contribute to better company results. In response to economic and environmental pressure, mill managers in many regions of Europe have achieved a drastic reduction in effluent discharges. However, highly closed water loops, increased wastepaper recycling rates and the resulting problems of increased slime formation have given rise to a host of problems. Against this background, the project concept of Biotech Control has been elaborated with the ultimate objective of minimising quality and productivity losses in paper mills, in spite of increasing paper recycling rates, whilst simultaneously minimising freshwater consumption.

Objectives:

The project concept Biotech Control has been elaborated with the ultimate objective of minimising quality and productivity losses in paper mills in spite of increasing paper recycling rates, whilst simultoneously minimising freshwater consumption. As a result, this project aims to develop forward-looking biotechnological slime controlling tools to maturity and adapting technologies to the specific needs of the paper industry. For this purpose, slime-relevant micro-organisms will be investigated in a cultivation-independent approach: the full cycle rRNA approach. Design and development of specific 16S-rRNA oligonucleotide probes for slime-relevant micro-organisms allow their specific detection directly at their site of action. Simultaneously, the QCM-D technique, based on its unique sensor technology to monitor initial biofilm formation, will be developed and established. These combined systems, that identify relevant micro-organisms and pinpoint slime formation, will enable targeted countermeasures to eliminate critical germs. Screening new dispersants and testing industrially available enzyme mixtures to control unavoidable slime formation without using hazardous biocides helps to minimise the ecological and health risks.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Dieter PAULY / PTS Munich GERMANY

EC Scientific Officer

• Ignacio SEOANE / European Commission DG Research Theme 1 Key Action 5.3 / BELGIUM

Participant

• Giovanna PELLEGRINI / Cartiere Modesto Cardella SpA ITALY
• Frank DÜRKES / Oekophil AG SWITZERLAND
• Patrik DAHLQVIST / Q Sense SWEDEN
• Miguel AZNAR / Sociedad Anonima Industrias Celulosa Aragonesa Departamento de Medio Ambiente / SPAIN
• Lars SJOSTROM / Stiftelsen STFI Skogsindustrins Tekniska Forskningsinstitut SWEDEN
• Danijel OSTIR / VIPAP VIDEM Krsko dd Proizvodnja papirja in Celluloze / SLOVENIA
• Claudia BEIMFOHR / Vermicon Engineering & Microbiology AG GERMANY