Nafici Environmental Research, who’s patented EcoPulping process converts agricultural residues into pulp for packaging and paper, has confirmed the completion of commissioning of its first industrial EcoPulping plant in China. The integrated plant, situated in the Shandong province of China, is part of a joint venture between Nafici Group Ltd and a Chinese investment company, and in partnership with China Paper.
Florence Miremadi-Nafici (CEO & Co-Founder of Nafici Environmental Research Ltd Ltd) commented, “This is a very exciting time for the business. Getting the China plant up and running allows us to showcase our technology at industrial scale. It also allows us to produce pulp for our customers to test at industrial scale”.
Nafici’s process uses low heat and no pressure and can convert an expansive variety of feedstock into pulp for use in paper, packaging, and tissue.
Florence added, “Using agricultural residues such as wheat straw for pulp makes sense. It offers a good alternative to cutting down trees. In many countries feedstock such as wheat straw, is not utilised and is often left to rot in the field or is burnt”. Nafici’s EcoPulping process is suitable for small and large scale production. “We can go as small as 20 tonnes per day upwards. This makes the solution perfect for integration into paper mills and packaging production plants”.
The Hive Energy and NER partnership
Hive acquired 50% of NER back in February 2022. Since then, our Hive Ventures team has been working alongside the company to support its international growth.
Nafici Environmental Research aligns with our environmental goals as a circular economy business that plans to use its patented technology to transform agricultural residues into EcoPulp. NER will use waste products, such as wheat and straw, to create a low-emission pulp to be used in the production of paper and packaging materials.
This process will reduce the waste of materials as it reuses products which would otherwise be discarded or burnt. Cutting back on the burning of excess what and straw also removes additional carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming. NER’s patented process also uses up to 95% less water than traditional pulping processes and uses around 50% less power.
