OutNature will begin operations of a new straw fiber processing facility by the end of 2026 at the LEIPA paper mill in Schwedt/Oder, Germany. The plant will use agricultural residues, primarily straw, to produce pulp blends for sustainable paper packaging by combining these with recycled wastepaper. Valmet will supply the BioTrac pretreatment system, DNAe automation platform, and stock preparation equipment for the project, according to Valmet.
The new unit will use Valmet's continuous steam treatment process to convert lignocellulosic raw materials, such as straw, into high-strength fibers suitable for papermaking. The LEIPA mill currently processes over 1 million tonnes of recycled paper annually. Integrating straw fibers is intended to reduce the use of virgin wood fibers and improve the performance of recycled materials.
Straw, sourced locally in Germany, avoids the need for additional cultivation land and reduces transport-related emissions. The fiber facility is part of a two-stage investment project supporting the wider sustainability strategy of the Schwarz Group. OutNature, a brand of PreZero, is also researching the use of the Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) as an alternative raw material for fiber production alongside paper applications.
