UK Project Looks at Paper Mill Sludge Recycling

A project to develop the opportunities for recycling paper mill sludge into new products is being funded by the UK-based Waste & Resources Action Programme. The goal of the project is to find economic benefits from finding end markets for the sludge. The program uses technology developed in Canada.

The project will use the capabilities of the new KDS Micronex sludge processing plant developed by First American Scientific Corporation. The demonstration project will take place at the Aylesford Newsprint in Kent, UK. It is the demonstration plant is the first of its kind in Europe.

 “With higher quality requirements for paper, and rising landfill costs, the volume and cost of sludge disposal is becoming an inhibiting commercial factor for the further expansion of recycled paper manufacture,” explains David Powlson, WRAP’s Technical Manager for Paper. “This WRAP project will use new technology to explore the potential for overcoming this barrier and improving the economics of producing new paper products from recycled fiber.”

The project divides into three stages. Initially, the moisture content of the sludge is reduced from 50 percent to 10 percent by the KDS Micronex. The resulting sludge fluff can then be split into its fiber and filler constituents using screening equipment, and the materials assessed for their recycling potential. In the case of fiber, possible end uses include insulation, lower grade paper applications and fuel briquettes, and the filler material has properties that could be beneficial in the manufacture of a range of products, particularly for the construction sector.

The project is expected to be at full capacity this June.

The results from the project, which is due to be completed in November 2005, will be fully disseminated throughout the industry. If they are positive, the impact on the industry could be significant, as Chris White, Commercial Manager at Aylesford Newsprint, explained:

“This project could address one of the major challenges facing the paper recycling sector and Aylesford Newsprint is excited to be part of the project team.”