Evaluation of A Value Prior to Pulping-Thermomechanical Pulp Business Concept: Part 2

Value Prior to Pulping (VPP) is a novel biorefining concept for pulp mills that includes hydrolysis extraction of hemicellulose wood sugars and acetic acid from pulpwood prior to pulping. The concept involves conversion of wood sugars via fermentation to fuel ethanol or other chemicals and the use of remaining solid wood material in the pulping process. This paper provides an overview of the methods and results from analysis of the concept as a hypothetical business investment at a pulp and paper mill equipped for making thermomechanical pulp (TMP).