Professor of Analytical Chemistry Torgny Fornstedt received the J. F. K. Huber Lecture Award at the International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC 2024) in Liverpool in October. The award was given for ‘highly recognised contributions to the fundamental understanding of adsorption chromatography’.

‘This distinction means a great deal to me, as J. F. K. Huber was involved in launching chromatography research in analytical chemistry at Uppsala University, my alma mater’, said Fornstedt. 

Researchers at Karlstad University have started a 3-year project focusing on greener manufacturing and increased recycling of forest-based materials. They already have extensive knowledge about the chemical processes involved in providing product properties that determine the possibility of recycling. The new project is about transferring that knowledge to an industrial scale.

– In previous research projects, we have looked at the chemical processes during dewatering and drying that affect the recycling of cellulose-based materials, says Björn Sjöstrand, docent in Chemical Engineering. It is about temperature and water content through the manufacturing process and we have carried out studies on a laboratory scale. Through a research grant from ÅForsk, we now have the opportunity to continue our studies and see how we can transfer the methods from our laboratories to an industrial scale.

Dewatering during paper manufacturing is a highly energy-intensive process. New research shows how the process can be made more efficient concerning energy consumption.

– In my research, I have looked at the manufacturing of grease-proof paper, says Björn Öman, an industrial doctoral student in chemical engineering. Grease-proof paper is extremely compact, enough to act as a barrier to fat, grease, and water. The more compact the paper, the more energy is used for dewatering.

During dewatering, the paper passes through several vacuum suction boxes, normally five to eight boxes. This creates a problem of rewetting, that is, the paper has time to absorb already removed water again, before being transported to the next step.

There is a great interest in sustainable energy production and pellets provide an energy source that is both efficient and renewable. A recently published thesis looks at how pellets can be produced more efficiently through different sawdust mixtures and storage times.

– In my research, I have looked at how sawdust from different parts of the tree affects the final product and the role of the drying process, says Workson Siwale, who recently completed his PhD in environmental and energy systems. The goal is to produce pellets with more consistent quality, avoid storage losses and at the same time increase knowledge of how different sawdust mixtures affect the end product. 

The research project is about testing a new type of forest fertilizer, based on nutrient-rich industrial residues from pulp and paper mills. This closes the circle by making use of residual products and returning nutrients to growing plants and woodland.

– Our project group includes several companies, universities and organisations, says Maria Sandberg, docent in Environmental and Energy Systems at Karlstad University. She is also the research leader of the collaborative project behind the development of a new type of fertilizer for growing forests, called enriched hydrocoal.

Salman Raza Naqvi, senior lecturer in chemical engineering, has been awarded a medal by the Government of Pakistan for his research.

– I feel very honored and it was a nice ceremony where I got to receive the award that was presented by the president at a ceremony where many prominent scientists were honored, says Salman Raza Naqvi.