THE PULP with the Green Spirit
The basis for the specialist pulp from AustroCel Hallein is spruce wood from sustainably managed forests (PEFC). This wood is residual wood from the sawmill industry (wood chips) which is no longer suitable for higher-value applications. The pulp is produced in an environmentally friendly, totally chlorine-free (TCF) process. AustroCel Hallein is committed to making every process
sustainable, closing loops and eliminating waste materials. Our high-purity, softwood specialty pulp is an expression of this green spirit. The pulp from AustroCel Hallein is characterised by its exceptional stability during processes and excellent quality. It is suitable for a wide range of applications and is supplied in bales and rolls.
Textile pulp
The basis for the finest textile fibres
With its long fibres and high purity, the pulp from AustroCel Hallein is an ideal starting product for the textile fibre industry. AustroCel Hallein not only sees itself as a supplier of pulp; it also supports customers in optimising their own processing procedures, and with its expertise, is available to assist with sustainable and resource-saving processes. AustroCel textile pulp stands for consistent quality and a reliable supply service. In this way, AustroCel Hallein has succeeded in becoming market leader for viscose pulp in the Chinese market in a short time. Its range of textile pulps includes grades for the production of viscose fibres and viscose yarns, as well as lyocell and modal fibres.
Specialties
Quality for a wide range of applications
Pulps or cellulose derivatives are starting products or additives in a variety of everyday products. These range from the food and the cosmetics industry through to the cement industry. AustroCel Hallein focuses on pulp specialties which are suitable for the production of nitrocellulose, cellulose ether, micro-crystalline cellulose, sausage skins, and other specialty applications, for example. During the development of its specialty varieties, AustroCel Hallein works closely with the respective customers in order to optimise them for the respective area of application or to jointly develop new qualities.
In the interview with Philippe Stephano you can learn about the changes in the pulp markets, the success factors in China, and which new specialty products are being developed in Hallein.
Mr. Stephano, you have been working for businesses in the pulp industry for several years and have been responsible for international sales at AustroCel Hallein for more than three years. In your view, how have the global pulp markets changed in recent years?
Philippe Stephano: The market has changed because there is more capacity all over the world, especially in South America. What you can also see is a significant increase in the applications, and the demand for Lyocell in the textile sector has also increased considerably. The most important or fundamental change over the years, however, is the demand for sustainability from all customers. Specific measures are required, such as certifications like B Corp or EcoVadis, of which AustroCel is also very proud.
AustroCel successfully supplies the Chinese markets, what are the conditions for being able to do this?
Just as AustroCel Hallein selects its suppliers with a view to environmental and climate protection and social commitment, the Hallein-based company also has a responsibility to its customers. Many customers from the Chinese textile industry work according to the standards of Canopy. We are always rated very highly in the audits of our Chinese customers; we have a good reputation.
The new pulp specialties are also about sustainability
AustroCel is mainly successful because of the quality of its textile pulp. At present, however, work is also underway on new specialties which are suitable for a wide variety of applications. Are these commissioned works or innovations that you will offer once they are ready for the market?
We recently had a visit from customers interested in our specialty products. One is a company in the chemical industry that manufactures products for the construction industry. That’s where our pulp specialties come in. It’s the same in the pharmaceutical industry, where we enter the market and enable tablets to be pressed. This approach protects the active ingredient and releases it in the body where it is needed. We are also working hard on new products for food applications. In this context, it is particularly important for us to convince with our sustainability strategy and the high quality of our certified wood.
The good cooperation between all the departments at AustroCel means that we aren’t now manufacturing just one product for several customers, but we’ll soon be manufacturing several products for individual customers. We are also able to develop and manufacture new products together with our customers very quickly.